March 2002 Special Regatta Volume 2002, Issue 2 Edition

Special Regatta Edition

Special Regatta Edition

Australia Day Weekend at TCYC The Australia Day weekend settle this once and for all). at the hard stand TCYC Point Everyone had such a lovely Peron was enjoyed by a small relaxed time that we would but happy band of OGAs. In like to make the event more total six OGA boats visited regular. Informal discus- Point Peron with Oriel and sions over breakfast on the Marco Polo from Monday morning suggested Perth. Inside this issue: Easter as another opportunity Saturday afternoon saw the to get together. Sail on a Hooker 4 boats, their crews and visitor Mike was awarded the OGA OGA Regatta Information 5 slowing arriving. The eve- Australia Day perpetual tro- ning BBQ saw John Dilley phy this event for Maintenance Blues 6-7 serenading us with some “Endurance” having sailed Caulking 7 classical guitar and Clive from Crawley all the way to Jarmin let loose with his tin Galway Hookers the TCYC. 8 whistle and a sea shanty or The weekend went too HMAS Perth Regatta 9 two. The crews turned to bed Karina and Oriel high and dry at quickly with Oriel and Swal- on their boats or in their tents the TCYC Dates to remember 10 low sailing back to Mounts and awakened to find both Bay on the Monday morning. Karina also Karina and Oriel caught by the low tide. went for a sail to see them off on their Sunday morning dawned and after a slow way. After losing the wind and motoring breakfast of champagne (courtesy of the most of the way ‘Swallow’ finally got to OGA - thanks Waley) Wind-A-Way and sail from East Fremantle on a sea breeze. Special points of interest: Mayflower went out for a sail. A list of participants can be seen on page • REGATTA FLYER IN The crew of Oriel and Karina had a lovely 2. SIDE—tell all your friends, time on shore catching up with other Gaff- hang it up in the corner shop — ers who dropped in for a chat. Swallow ADVERTISE THE EVENT. arrived at midday and it was a great sight to see the two Drascombe (Wind- • Sew on OGA badges available A-Way and Swallow) racing each other from Clive Jarman (telephone across Mangles Bay. According to Geoff 9334 3829). his boat is faster although this is strongly • OGA email mail list to be set contested by Mike! (I did hear talk of up (send the Assistant News- some match racing in the near future to letter editor an email— [email protected]). Mike Igglesden receiving the trophy Receive latest info and the Committee Contact Details for “endurance” newsletter in digital colour (Adobe Acrobat Reader for- President Chris Bowman 20 Bristol Ave Bicton 6157 08 9339 5785 mat). Vice President Mike Igglesden 4 Crawley Ave Crawley 6009 08 9386 4128 • Get those stories, poems, pic- tures in to the Editor and Assis- Secretary Shirley Cook 6 Baskerville St Mundijong 08 9525 5275 tant Editor to help with the Newsletter Mike Igglesden 4 Crawley Ave Crawley 6009 08 9386 4128 newsletter. Fiona Hook 13 Bennewith St Hilton 6162 08 9337 4671 • Deadline for the next newslet- [email protected] ter is 16 May 2002. Page 2 Special Regatta Edition

President’s Log "Of all the living creatures upon land and sea, it Rottnest and back, or a circumnavigation of is alone that cannot be taken in by barren Australia. I hope all of us, in our own individ- pretences, that will not put up with bad art from ual ways, are experiencing the many pleas- their masters" Josef Conrad ures that sailing can bring. In other words: I hope you all have been getting out on the I believe Mr. Conrad hit the nail on the head water, and enjoying it! when he wrote these words. A well founded vessel breathes an air of confidence to those ______who sail upon her. Through the roughest of It is not long now until April 27, when hope- seas, in the darkest of nights in the most fully all of our Old Gaffers sails will be seen harrowing of gales, a well designed, well parading in style at our annual Regatta. The built, well rigged, and properly handled event is gathering momentum, with all the vessel will get her crew through to their various pieces falling into place. desired destination. If any of these factors A new sponsor have come on board this year; are missing, then trouble, if not disaster, J. Boag & Sons, the Tasmanian Brewer, has looms on the horizon. taken over the major sponsorship this year. This is equally as true for the round-the- Grot, Hill Sails and Traditional Marine world voyager as it is for the occasional Services, will provide some of the many weekend sailor. As most of us know prizes that will be handed out. through experience, seawater and wind can Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club are ex- be pretty unforgiving, negligence is eventu- tremely committed to helping us put on the ally punished severely, and folly is con- best Regatta yet, and have offered all their temptuously cast adrift. (The voyage of various services to help us run it smoothly. Donald Crowhearst immediately springs to Our own committee has been working hard to mind). make sure that all the details are attended to. I A completed voyage therefore brings a great hope to see you all there!!! sense of fulfilment and achievement; be it to “When mist takes OGA Cloth Badges—for Sale to the open sea, A stated detailed in the last newsletter, Fine weather, Clive Jarman has large number of badges for sale to sew onto your favour- shipmate, it will ite sailing garments. be”

They cost $10.00 each and can be or- dered through the Secretary using a self addressed stamped envelope. OGA Australia Day Weekend at TCYC—Participants The following people attended the weekend Adrian & Mary Edwards ‘Marco Polo’ (either for the whole time or just for a visit). Des Tickle John & Pauline Dilley ‘Mayflower’ Trevor & Patsy Arady Frank & Roz McCauley ‘Escape’ Fiona Hook, Bruce Veitch & Jon Hook Bill & Pat Sullivan ‘Van Dieman’ John & Betsy Horley & Girls & their friend Penny Mike Igglesden & Clive ‘Oriel’ Geoff ‘Wind’A’Way’ Mike & Catherine Robins ‘Swallow’ Wally & Shirly Cook ‘Karina’ & friend Darren Volume 2002, Issue 2 Page 3

Editorial ‘Soon be Christmas’. Well perhaps the phrase is Fiona has offered to collate the newsletter. She not so appropriate in March but our Old Gaffers has an office with all the necessary bells and whis- and Classic Boat Regatta is certainly nearly upon tles. They are looking to buy a suitable gaffer. us. Your Regatta Committee is looking forward They are exactly the kind of members the Associa- to really large participating fleets, especially of tion needs to pull us out of our present doldrums. OGA members. Even if racing is not your scene Thanks to you both. do come along and enjoy the day at Royal Fresh- water Bay Yacht Club. At our last general meet- If, in your travels, you ing in November it was happen to come across a agreed that, for an op- boat which is either a tional additional $6 to gaff rigger, or, in your membership subscription eyes a classic wooden members could receive boat, send me any details ‘Watercraft’, which is a you can – we will do the quarterly journal pub- rest. We have made our lished by the Wooden poster this year to be Boat Association and is used as a flyer. Do distributed throughout please leave it lying Australia. A well pre- around or pin it up some- sented informative and where where it will do interesting publication the most good! that I recommend as very good value for money. We have in the shape of Prompt payment of this Fiona Hook and Bruce year’s subscriptions will Veitch, two members full Caulking! (by Beryl Irving The Yachtsman’s Weekend be greatly appreciated. of energy and enthusiasm Book by John Irving and Douglas Service) We have some bills com- for our Association. ing up for the Regatta.

“Mackerel sky and Claremont Museum mares’ tails If any one is looking for something to do Make tall ships during the week go and have a look at the Enjoy the different aromas in the Euro- carry small sails” Claremont Museum. The following is an pean herb garden. excerpt from their brochure.

“Select from a variety of commentaries The museum is open about the historic boatshed. It is the last 12 noon—4 pm Monday to Friday remaining boat builder’s shed on the Adults $2.00 river. Children & Concessions $1.00 Museum View our open time-capsule. has wheel- Visit the chair ‘commercial access.” centre of town’ to see the bar- ber, the boot- maker, the draper and the corner store.

Page 4 Special Regatta Edition

An evening sail on a Galway Hooker — , Co. Clare,

By Fiona Hook with some quite heavy weather helm and marvel- On a recent trip to Ireland, ling at the size of the main Bruce and I had the oppor- towering above me. tunity to go for a evening sail on a Galway Hooker in We were then treated to a . three hour sail in 10 knots of wind with the sun setting We chanced on a sign ad- to the west over the en- vertising two hour sails on a trance of the bay, absolutely Galway Hooker while trav- Kinvara Galway Hooker interior magic. The shoreline was elling through Kinvara, a dotted with small white beautiful seaside town to the south of Gal- washed cottages and the odd ruined castle way City. tower. Basking seals inhabited the rocks in We noted that there were three Hookers in the centre of the inlet, who leaped into the the port and a well cared for Manx Nobbie. water with a splash at the approach of the The largest hooker An Traonach was se- boat. cured at the end of the stone pier so we as- The return to port was no less exciting with the sumed that she was it, although the sight of wind dying we ghosted into the pier with all the ballast caused us a moment of concern. sails up on a broad reach, the weight of the boat The next day we arrived at ensured that we came in too the pier to meet with the fast and with the aid of some skipper Mehall at 5:00 pm. American tourists a line from The tide was still coming the pier brought us up short in and the Hooker was with the bowsprit just missing the boat secured to the pier in “The Galway stuck in the mud. By 6:30 front (again accompanied with pm the skipper had arrived Hooker was used to a lot of swearing). What an and we discovered that we adrenalin rush! transport turf/peat were the only passengers and he the only crew for This sail was perhaps one of from to the large and beamy 38ft the highlights of our trip to Ireland and would highly rec- Kinvara until the Hooker. We climbed down A Manx Nobbie moored at Kinvara to the deck and proceeded ommend it to any OGA mem- early 20th Century” ber travelling in Ireland. There are a number of to assist the skipper in hauling the main, Hooker charter companies operating in Ireland, staysail and jib, while still secured to the with some offering day sails and overnight pier, facing into another boat with the wind trips. Some contact details are as follows: Gal- placing us on a broad reach! We then let go way Hooker Trips (Kinvara) - 087 231 1779; with instructions shouted to me, now the The Truelight (Carna, Connemara) - skipper, to bear away avoiding the boat in www.truelight.ie. front, the boats tied opposite on the other side of the u-shaped pier and the rocks be- During a pint of Guiness and hind us! With a lot of a chat with Mehall in the Pier swearing in a heavy Irish Pub he mentioned that there is accent (his not mine) we an Annual Kinvara Hooker managed with the aid of a festival - Cruinniú na mBád / hastily thrown anchor to the Gathering of Boats - held swivel the boat out of the every year in August, with pier and tack up the inlet over 20 hookers sailing it into Galway Bay. With would be a sight to see! (for Bruce and Mehall up f’ward more information see working the jib and staysail www.kinvara.com). I settled down to steering Port of Kinvara Volume 2002, Issue 2 Page 5

OGA REGATTA—Saturday 27th April 2002 The Regatta 1800 hrs, we Committee wish will keep you to invite you informed of and your crew, details. family and Mooring fa- friends to our cilities will be 5th annual Old made avail- Gaffers Regatta. able to all par- Our hosts this year, Royal Freshwater Bay ticipating boats. Yacht Club, have kindly offered the use of Please find enclosed in this newsletter a their wonderful facilities on the Swan nominations form. Closing dates is 10th River, on Saturday 27th April 2002. April 2002. Skippers meeting 1300 hrs. Further information contact Shirley Racing commences 1400 hrs (approx). Cook 9525 5272. Racing will be governed by the AYF Rac- None of the above will be possible with- ing Rules of Sailing 2001-2004. Addi- out the aid of some Old Gaffer Volun- tional instructions will be given at a brief- teers. If you are not sailing would you ing, to be held at Royal Freshwater Bay please ring Shirley and offer your ser- Yacht Club before the commencement of vices to assist in the marquee, organisa- races. tion – setting up photographs, handing Presentations will be given at the club at out information to competitors and so on. Taking part in the event will

“When the sea-hog jumps, stand to your pumps”

Believe it or Not … No one can be declared drunk if they can lie on ten specifically for her and it appealed to my the floor without hanging on. somewhat perverse sense of humour. ______The traditional nailed clinker is a real Handsome men are slightly sunburnt trap for dirt. It is also extremely difficult to Candidus in nauta turpis color: aequoris unda remove paint when it comes to refinishing. With Debet et a radiis sideris esse niger—Ovid Ars age the conventional nailed clinker dinghy Amatoria starts to leak and it is then nearly impossible to rejuvenate it. A translation given of the above: ‘for a white skin on a sailor is a disgrace; owing to the sea- I printed in large letters the above quotation water and the rays of the sun he should be dark from one of Michael Verney’s books on dinghy skinned’ building above my workshop bench while re- storing ‘Oriel’. It could easily have been writ- How is that for current political incorrectness? Page 6 Special Regatta Edition

The Maintenance Blues about it), I noticed that some areas on the By Geoff Howard (Wind’A’Way) deck were lifting and in need of attention. I wanted to buy a boat that I could enjoy on Being a pedantic sort of bloke I considered the river and on the ocean and could launch, that I needed some technical advice before sail and retrieve single-handed. I hate the tackling this task again. I rang and visited local boat ramps on the weekends so being a some Old Gaffers, after all that’s why I joined shift worker I have time off during the this band of equally pedantic characters weekdays and can enjoy being out on the was’nt it? Totally confused and somewhat water without too much apprehensive about em- company. I had owned a barking upon this task I couple of craft in the past went about purchasing and thought it might be an the appropriate materials idea to get another Surf commencing with an Cat as I had so much fun orbital sander that I on the last one I had. thought would make the job an absolute breeze. Mentioning these inten- The first thing you have tions to my son he said to remember with these ‘why don’t you have a machines is that while look at Murray Sebbes’ you’re working on that boat?, he’s selling it to really stubborn area that buy something bigger. just won’t move you are Not knowing that his “oooh you’ve bought taking away the first friends dad had even built layer of your lovely a wooden boat, a boat he told me all about marine ply on the other it so I thought I’d go and loads of side of the sanding disc. have a look. I was intro- Whoops is one word maintenance duced to a Drascombe that springs to mind, cos there,you’ll be for the first time I’m an Old Gaffer and and fell in love with it this is my hobby well spending the rest of straight away. Something these things happen, but your life varnishin’ else I was introduced to then I’m a very pedantic was the word, pedantic. and paintin’ and Geoff skippering his Drascombe Lugger person and I do things He used the word a lot Wind’A’Way right, whoops is very gluin’ and fixin’” explaining how pedantic quickly followed by he was about using epoxy resin inside, out- some expletives that would definitely get me side, upside, downside and of course I was ejected from the next AGM of the Country so impressed I bought the boat not having a Women’s Association. I’m sure I’ll be able clue what the hell he was talking about. to cover that up with some cosmetic trick a Friends and non friends alike said to me cunning old bugger like me will have up his oooh you’ve bought a wooden boat, loads of sleeve. maintenance there, you’ll be spending the Considering that every coat of epoxy resin rest of your life varnishin’ and paintin’ and and varnish that you put on ply wood is like gluin’ and fixin’, ah say’s I, when it’s your placing a sheet of glass on it the chances of hobby and you love doing it it’s not a prob- covering up any mistakes is almost impossi- lem. ble. Bear this in mind while I continue. The word pedantic is gradually slipping from After a varnishing session two winters ago, my regular vocabulary as I proceed with the a job that I thought I’d done quite well (in set task. fact I thought I’d been quite ‘pedantic’ Volume 2002, Issue 2 Page 7

The Maintenance Blues continued

The orbital sander has cuses I didn't have a a nifty little collecting drink on New Years bag thus eliminating Eve (it’s the troof all the dust from the ociffer). surface that you’re I was advised to thin working on which is down the first few fine if it doesn't get coats for good pene- blocked up. Thinking tration, this I did. that because I was The deck surface down to the resin sur- was quite warm, in face and the dust was a fact it was quite hot lot finer and wouldn't so I thought, well go into the collecting this should dry nice bag properly I pro- and quick. Oh it ceeded to get covered dried nice and quick. in a very fine dust A friend told me that looking like I worked painters have this for the Dingo flour Drascombe Lugger Wind’A’Way problem in Darwin mill. My girlfriend because of the heat asked me to lick my lips so she could see and humidity as they paint the stuff on it dries where to give me a kiss. A mate thought I’d immediately and of course you get more painted the boat white and started having a go streaks than a one day game at the MCG. at me about going over all that lovely varnish. Undaunted (there's that word again) and be- Undaunted (now there's a word I’ve come to ing made of sturdy Anglo Saxon stock I pro- relate to) I continued, I’m an Old Gaffer, we ceeded but I’m afraid that my story more or don’t let little things like that get us down. less ends there as the rest of the coats went on “if you see me I was ready for varnishing at last. The first quite well although if you see me around in around in my my Drascombe Lugger don’t look too closely coat went on like a dream. The next day was Drascombe Lugger New Years Day and I had to start work at at my brightwork and I promise I won’t look 2:00pm. I crawled out of bed at 10:00am too closely at yours. don’t look too determined to get another coat of varnish on closely at my before I have to leave for work and no ex- brightwork and I promise I won’t look too closely at yours” Caulking These sketches originally appeared in Barry Hicks’ article in the Maritime Heritage Asso- ciation Newsletter of September 1995. They show caulking methods used on English and American trading vessels from 1895 to 1920. Similar caulking methods are used today but are modified to suit our much smaller vessels and are dependent on the specific job on hand. Allowances have to be made for the species of timber being used for planking, as some timbers move more than others when immersed. Also varying numbers of lays are required depending on the size of the seam to be caulked – probably only one or two for a small boat, with cotton now being the pre- ferred caulking material. Editors Note Page 8 Special Regatta Edition

The Galway Hooker By Fiona Hook tumble-home or belly of up The Galway Hooker was to 12 inches each side, a developed in the 18th cen- beautiful run staring almost tury primarily for amidships, and sweeping up but also as a transport ves- to the raked transom … sel (for livestock, limestone there was hardly a flat and turf) on the West Coast plank in her”. of Ireland. It has been sug- The hull was decked from gested that the origins of stem to mast beam and a the Galway Hooker lie in small cuddy was used for the Netherlands or Norway, Galway Hooker Truelight (picture source: sleeping and cooking. The however, by the 1790s the www.truelight.ie) cooking was done on an boat had been sufficiently open turf fire on a stone developed by the Galway to be hearth. Ballast comprised flat local stones considered a unique type. arranged amidships. The hooker was primarily used for line and The majority of the hulls were constructed in hook fishing and a number of different hull Claddagh, Galway with fishermen in Conne- shapes were developed with the hooker speci- mara primarily using second-hand Claddagh fications to accommodate different tasks and boats. records indicate that in 1836 budgets. a total of 105 open boats and 80 rowboats • Bád Mór was rigged and ranged in were based in Claddagh. In the Connemara size from 35’ to 44’ LOA. region (Spiddal to Killary) the fleet com- • Leath Bád was also cutter rigged and a prised one fully decked, 111 half-decked, 316 little smaller at about 32’ LOA. open and 1236 rowing boats. The partially decked fleets travelled as far south as Limer- • Gleoiteog was cutter rigged with a smaller ick and Tralee and north to Sligo. “a beautiful run hull 24-28’ LOA. staring almost • Púcán was lug rigged with a jib, 24-28’ After experience a major decline at the begin- LOA. ning of the 21st Century the Galway Hooker amidships, and has seen an revival since the 1970s with The boats were usually built from larch, oak sweeping up to the many old boats restored and new boats con- and beech covered with a creosote/coal tar structed. raked transom … mix. The hooker hull shape has been lyrically described by R.J. Scott as having a “sharp This article is based on Scott, R.J. 1996. The there was hardly a clean entrance, deceptively under the apple- Galway Hookers: Working Sailboats of Gal- flat plank in her” cheeked buoyant forequarter, considerable way Bay.

Ladies of Variety—Old Gaffers Kid’s Day, Sunday 5th May 2002 Our Service to the Community Day. The chil- Ready to sail off MBSC at 10.00 am for short dren have varying degrees of disability and sails, then lunch which will be provided and lack of mobility, ages ranging from 4 years to the day concluding at approximately 1.30 pm. around 12-13 years. Variety provide lunch to This 'gathering of gaffers' is an annual com- Gaffer members, entertainment is provided mitted event by the OGA. It is looked forward for the children, the incapacitated children to by these children, their have their selected helpers provided by the Sir families and carers. David Brand Centre. Share your gaffer craft Mounts Bay Sailing Club supply the venue, a and social time on this Flag Officer is in attendance, small life jack- day, you will find it an ets are provided and the MBSC Rescue craft extremely rewarding day. is in attendance. Volume 2002, Issue 2 Page 9

‘HMAS Perth’ Memorial Regatta By Mike Igglesden ing their way past us on the first windward leg. Geoff Howard made a Unbounded enthusiasm by the Ned- valiant effort – sailing the course sin- lands Yacht Club towards including gle handed, as he was unable to con- the Old Gaffers Association in this jure up a crew. We have been prom- annual regatta was the hallmark of the ised shorter courses for the ‘B’ fleet event for us. next year. After having anchored off the beach Taking three hours to finish is far too and been ferried ashore to listen to the long, especially on a hot afternoon pipe band of Fremantle Sailing Club, when everyone else may be seen at the speeches and to fill in nomination the clubhouse enjoying refreshments forms, there were unfortunately only 5 an hour or more before you cross the boats to face the starter – some of us finish line! much later than others. Handicap results gave Bicton Bell, The Old Gaffers were first off, start- Christina and Oriel as trophy recipi- ing with the cruiser fleet. Wind-a- ents. Way and Oriel were soon left far behind. Bic- ton Bell, Sunbeam “Dear God! My boat and Christina is so very small— with the re- and thy sea so very maining six wide. Have Mercy! fleets of the regatta work- (Breton Fisherman’s Prayer)” Know your Cardinal Markers

From “The Official Western Australian Boating Guide” Old Gaffers Association Western Australia Incorporated Mailing Address Line 1 Newsletter Editor Mailing Address Line 2 Mike Igglesden Mailing Address Line 3 4 Crawley Ave CRAWLEY 6009 Mailing Address Line 4 Mailing Address Line 5 Assistant Editor Fiona Hook PO Box 177 SOUTH FREMANTLE WA 6162

Preserving and Promoting the

We are on the Web! www.oldgaffersassociation.org/ westaussie.html (it’s a bit old though)

Dates to Remember Thursday 21st March 2002 General Meeting at East Fremantle Yacht Club at 7.30 pm. Autumn Sail There will be a sail to Rottnest on a date to be arranged. Contact Mike Igglesden if you are interested. Easter (29/3/02 – 2/4/02) Possible stay at the TCYC Rockingham. Contact Shirley if interested. Tuesday 23rd April 2002 Regatta Committee Meeting at Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club at 6.00 pm. Saturday 27th April 2002 Regatta 2002. Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club. We are now calling for volunteers to help out please ring Shirley. Sunday 5th May 2002 Ladies of Variety/ Old Gaffers Kids Day at Mounts Bay Sailing Club. As many boats as possible to turn up to take out some special children for a sail. Thursday 16th May 2002 Deadline for next newsletter. Get those stories, poems, snippets in to the Editor or his assistant, Fiona. Thursday 16th May 2002 General Meeting at East Fremantle Yacht Club at 7.30 pm. Thursday 18th July 2002 Annual General Meeting East Fremantle Yacht Club at 7.30 pm.