I have fallen under the spell of a 1942 wooden navy motor boat ten years ago. she was a running project. I was depressed and desperate, it was a reckless decision, but in the end i was just wanting something real in my life. I didn't know much about wooden boats or how to operate one and it was in a port 200 miles from home. I was lucky and the boat and i made it across the bar up the oregon coast and finally to portland oregon. Today she is one of the most beautiful boats on the river and i am constantly surprised how much improved she is from the time i got her. People along the way helped me because it is an historic navy boat and i made so many friends at boat festivals and in the marina where she is moored. I found working on wood boats is so easy, not like working fiber glass. The reason that there are fiberglass boats is the industry brainwashed the public to sell their products. Sunlight will destroy a fiberglass boat over time, Wooden boats are alive and need attention, not so mu;ch maintenance. The fastest way to ruin a wood frame house is to leave it vacant a few years. A wooden boat is like that. rot only grows when it has oxygen warm temperature and filth. If you keep your boat ventilated and clean it will not rot.
Wooden boats are works of art. They require commitment to continual care and maintenance. Classic wooden boat designs are timeless. They look as good today as they did 100 years ago. Wooden boats don’t aspire to be fashionable, or new, or even record breaking. They just are.
Great video thank you. I am in the throws of restoring a 36 foot timber S&S built 1964-65. Yes old timber boats are holes you poor money into. But they are almost a living thing that need our TLC. Good luck with her. She looks magnificent.
After WWII, my parents moved to Florida and bought a former rum runner boat that had a similar design [only saw a few photos]. It was a 38 ft. with twin Grey Marine 6cyl. They lived aboard about a year and then sold it. The new owner failed to purge the bilge with propane onboard and blew out the bottom while tied to the docks in Green Cove Springs, Fl.
Always liked beautiful wood boats.Would love to own one again but the constant feeling to it make better gets in the way of enjoying it . For me anyway.
I’m not sure if I’ve commented before… I’m so proud of these craft being so original and made from local timber, that we wish we still had in abundance. This is our heritage. To have spent any time on one of this classic Moreton Bay sharpies is more than an amazing day out. It’s a piece of who we are. And how we made the most out of a once simple life…that seems to now be lost. 🫶🏽✌🏽👋🏼 Live your dreams., Or they too are lost 👍🏽
I just missed out on a boat just like this in balmain. It was called a fisher 32. The most beautiful wooden interior i have ever seen. looks just like that one on the outside. It was made in 1937. It was going for $25,000. I went to buy it, and they told me they sold it 2 weeks earlier. I was devastated. I think it was made in tasmania. I couldnt understand why it was going for so cheap. I missed a once in a life time oportunity. i dont think ill ever find something as good.
That boat is absolutely worth going lunatic for. I’m bat shit insane over our little plywood bolger. Dunno what if do it I had this beauty. Amazingly cool❤
Yes sir, there is something special about a wooden boat. I feel it is because the boat is made of something that was once a living thing. Which makes it different than any other material. That imbues it with what some would call a "soul", though I like to think of it simply as "spirit". I have owned wooden boats and enjoyed that privilege immensely. However, over time, my lovely wooden boats became more and more demanding. Like a high maintenance mistress, it was a case of "Don't you dare leave me alone!". "If you want these goodies, you are going to have to work for it!". So, reluctantly, I parted company with each of them and ultimately bought a less demanding but spirit-less plastic boat.
My vessel was built by the same W Holmes (it was made for Reg Ansett, back in 1969, as his fishing boat. What engine is in Folly III? Her hull looks simply fabulous.
Great video Mr Steve. Why a wooden boat? In opinion, your wood vessel would not have the same attractiveness if it were metal or plastic. She is beautiful, she demands respect and she will nalways be in a class of her own. Thank you for sharing, Sir
I have fallen under the spell of a 1942 wooden navy motor boat ten years ago. she was a running project. I was depressed and desperate, it was a reckless decision, but in the end i was just wanting something real in my life. I didn't know much about wooden boats or how to operate one and it was in a port 200 miles from home. I was lucky and the boat and i made it across the bar up the oregon coast and finally to portland oregon. Today she is one of the most beautiful boats on the river and i am constantly surprised how much improved she is from the time i got her. People along the way helped me because it is an historic navy boat and i made so many friends at boat festivals and in the marina where she is moored. I found working on wood boats is so easy, not like working fiber glass. The reason that there are fiberglass boats is the industry brainwashed the public to sell their products. Sunlight will destroy a fiberglass boat over time, Wooden boats are alive and need attention, not so mu;ch maintenance. The fastest way to ruin a wood frame house is to leave it vacant a few years. A wooden boat is like that. rot only grows when it has oxygen warm temperature and filth. If you keep your boat ventilated and clean it will not rot.
I lived aboard my 1925 44 foot hoffar. Wouldn't have it any other way
What a treasure! The video captures it beautifully.
Lovely seeing you today!
Well, that was a great 5 minutes, loved to see more. Congratulations on the restoration, looks an excellent job!
Wooden boats are works of art. They require commitment to continual care and maintenance. Classic wooden boat designs are timeless. They look as good today as they did 100 years ago. Wooden boats don’t aspire to be fashionable, or new, or even record breaking. They just are.
Great video thank you.
I am in the throws of restoring a 36 foot timber S&S built 1964-65.
Yes old timber boats are holes you poor money into. But they are almost a living thing that need our TLC.
Good luck with her. She looks magnificent.
A lovely video, thank you. There is DEFINITELY something special about a wooden boat! Which one to like is easy: ALL of them!
Glad I share the world with people who have soul like this....good on you .
After WWII, my parents moved to Florida and bought a former rum runner boat that had a similar design [only saw a few photos]. It was a 38 ft. with twin Grey Marine 6cyl. They lived aboard about a year and then sold it. The new owner failed to purge the bilge with propane onboard and blew out the bottom while tied to the docks in Green Cove Springs, Fl.
Classics never get old.
Great to see a beautiful old cruiser in my local waterway.
Beautiful boat! At 1:30 it almost looks like a model boat on a pond
What a lovely little boat! With the world flooded by plastic boats everywhere we forgot the true craftsmanship of wooden boat building. Cheers!
Touching story, real live characters (the boat and Steve's family), great video!
Great job Steve. She's a beauty!
More charm to a wooden boat ,It’s the timber and the boat,That make the difference,love them,
I don't normally care for this type of boat, but this looks almost sporty. Rather elegant vessel.
Always liked beautiful wood boats.Would love to own one again but the constant feeling to it make better gets in the way of enjoying it . For me anyway.
Holy Christ what a craft. Stunning.
Just completing my 3rd watch in row here.. might copy your format. Can’t wait to show my wife.
Beautiful.
I’m not sure if I’ve commented before…
I’m so proud of these craft being so original and made from local timber, that we wish we still had in abundance.
This is our heritage.
To have spent any time on one of this classic Moreton Bay sharpies is more than an amazing day out.
It’s a piece of who we are.
And how we made the most out of a once simple life…that seems to now be lost.
🫶🏽✌🏽👋🏼
Live your dreams.,
Or they too are lost 👍🏽
I just missed out on a boat just like this in balmain. It was called a fisher 32. The most beautiful wooden interior i have ever seen. looks just like that one on the outside. It was made in 1937. It was going for $25,000. I went to buy it, and they told me they sold it 2 weeks earlier. I was devastated. I think it was made in tasmania. I couldnt understand why it was going for so cheap. I missed a once in a life time oportunity. i dont think ill ever find something as good.
Hi Steve. Great to run into u up and down the Mary. Just saw ur vid and shared with a fellow enthusiast that saw it as well.
Lovely boat. I’d love to see the interior.
Why didn't you show us her interior?
That boat is absolutely worth going lunatic for. I’m bat shit insane over our little plywood bolger. Dunno what if do it I had this beauty. Amazingly cool❤
Perfect name 👌
Yes sir, there is something special about a wooden boat. I feel it is because the boat is made of something that was once a living thing. Which makes it different than any other material. That imbues it with what some would call a "soul", though I like to think of it simply as "spirit". I have owned wooden boats and enjoyed that privilege immensely. However, over time, my lovely wooden boats became more and more demanding. Like a high maintenance mistress, it was a case of "Don't you dare leave me alone!". "If you want these goodies, you are going to have to work for it!". So, reluctantly, I parted company with each of them and ultimately bought a less demanding but spirit-less plastic boat.
My vessel was built by the same W Holmes (it was made for Reg Ansett, back in 1969, as his fishing boat.
What engine is in Folly III? Her hull looks simply fabulous.
Great video Mr Steve.
Why a wooden boat?
In opinion, your wood vessel would not have the same attractiveness if it were metal or plastic. She is beautiful, she demands respect and she will nalways be in a class of her own.
Thank you for sharing, Sir
Superb lines ! How can I forward you a photo of our gentleman's cruiser, please?
Hi Andrew. What size prop are you using, 21x? Just trying to pick one for my 34’ Griffin, about the same hp. Cheers😀
couldnt understand one word. Nice boat!
Very nice 👍
MAGIC
What about the native people?
Looked better before modified.
I really like it. Also check out Woodglut and plans.