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Wasted bays and lonely heights of Sydney
Further to my letter about the dangerous pollutant sludge lying on the bottom of Homebush Bay (Afloat Oct’06), a poisonous legacy of different times, industry, technology and standards. At the time, it seemed that nothing would ever be done about cleaning it up ... but it looks like something is being done now.
The attached pics show that dredging work has already begun, using barges made from 40ft containers cut in halves and welded together. Modified concrete pumps are being used to suck up the top 50cm off the bottom, more-or-less the convenient extent of the industrial silting. The foulsmelling black toxic spoil is being dried and heat-blasted,
then used as fill behind the ever-expanding walls of steel piling; a sinister footing for ever-more apartments. I guess it’s a good solution, at least better than leaving it on the bottom.
 I still feel an unease about what could happen to Homebush Bay. The apartment development on both sides is huge … and hugely conspicuous. The vast new walls of steel piling are shrinking the size of the bay, each one slicing-off just a little more. From the water, it almost seems inevitable now that eventually a mutating steel piling wall will take a non-approved shortcut and run right from the John Whitton Bridge straight across to Wentworth Point, a final solution for Homebush Bay.
The bay would now be waterless; filled only with apartments ... tempered by landscaping more appealing to look at than the last remnants of mangrove now struggling to breathe at the head of the bay, but which would be surgically removed during the reclamation. Stormwater from the wetlands and Powell’s Creek would be carried, conveniently and hidden-from-view, under the reclaimed land – under the swimming pools, and squash courts, and boulevards with their transplanted palms – in stormwater pipes to the harbour.
Ugly riverside mangroves have already been violently removed just nearby, on the north shore of the Parramatta River less than a kilometre upstream from Homebush Bay: any Rivercat passenger will have seen the new stone seawall that runs from Silverwater Bridge to George Kendall Riverside Park in Ermington. Behind the wall, on more reclaimed land, the apartment-building frenzy has already begun.
Any serious developer with a clue will already have been thinking about what he could do with Double Bay ... and Rose Bay, for starters. I fear that, as I write this, all around Sydney Harbour, forward-looking developers are busy visualising what could be.
Imagine, they think to themselves, how Rose Bay, and Double Bay and many other bays like them ... Five Dock, Canada Bay, Iron Cove and more; would look reclaimed and built-on. In some cases, I think in Rose Bay and Double Bay in particular, there could be canal-type developments with thousands of new waterfront sites created along with their waterfront mansions and private marinas, behind which crammed semi-circular rings of the taller more efficient people-housers would recede, ever taller, to maintain their view of the increasingly distant and smaller harbour.
It’s hard to think of any downside to reclaiming and building on our under-utilised bays. It’s all up, up and up. There’d be shorter race courses for mid-week and weekend sailors; more harbourside-access to our beautiful harbour for more people; a smaller area from which to pickup floating garbage; less expanses of disappearing seagrass to worry about; a closer and better view from the shore for spectators of harbour events such as the Sydney-Hobart, and the fireworks. There would be more parking and footpaths for walking; and a fuel-saving for power-boats thanks to a smaller, more compact harbour (with narrowing of the waterways, harbour traffic will be restricted and dangerously speeding boats and ferries would be forced to slow down, and a toll could be charged for canal-traffic).
Finally, fortunately; mooring of large vessels in the harbour, and room to navigate them when underway, is no longer a requirement of a harbour that is no-longer working.
Gary Jackson,
Mosman.
That sinking feeling
I received a telephone call from NSW Maritime on 21 November. The caller informed me that he and a colleague were aboard my timber yacht Arinda at her mooring in the Lane Cove River. A passing vessel had advised that Arinda appeared low in the water.
These NSW Maritime officers had located the manual pump lever and were pumping out the water. The cabin was locked.
I was able to join them within a short time, and opening the cabin disclosed a serious situation which, without intervention, would have resulted in Arinda sinking.
Through your columns I would like to express my thanks to the passing sailor whose name I do not know and to the professionalism, concern and kindness shown by Boating Service Officers Mr Nick Richards and Mr Mark Raward.
Michael Wynter,
Woolwich.
Selfish stinkboats don’t spare the horses
We have just experienced the worst and most dangerous conditions on Lake Macquarie in 30 years of boating. Whilst anchored on the western side of Pulbah Island 15 to 20 large fast cruisers motoring in line astern at full speed from the Morisset area heading north towards Belmont.
They created a 1.5 metre continuous wave pattern for over 40 minutes. Moored boats were rolling gunnel to gunnel necessitating two of the 40ft anchored boats starting their engines in order to try and stay safe in the waves as the surf broke onto the shore.
It was the most inconsiderate, dangerous and unseamanlike act possible.
When is NSW Maritime going to limit vessels over eight metres to 10 knots in enclosed waters?
Stringa Bagnall,
Lake Macquarie.
The devil’s in the detail
’Arry Driftwood’s encounter with New Zealand Maid and Jon Tucker (Afloat Dec’07) should be expanded on. Jon and his family may be New Zealanders but they say that they are Tasmanian.
Jon and two of his sons recently sailed to Antarctica in Jon’s son’s boat Snow Petrel, a 35ft steel vessel. They have a DVD of this adventure which is just fascinating to view, to say the least. Their great find was to see a ‘real’ Snow Petrel. They were lucky to cross paths with the McIntyres who just happened to be on a cruise ship – they showed them through Mawson’s’ hut. And the French connection in that vast area indulged them with superb hospitality. What a trip.
Not too many people would even go out of Sydney Harbour in a vessel of 35ft, let alone to Antarctica.
Dick Groombridge,
Ulladulla.
 Sailability and recycling
The clipping opposite is relative to the new Toronto Sailing Club division of Sailability and the sailboat is the result of my handiwork.
For occupational therapy and recycling I seized the opportunity to bring home an early fibreglass Flying Ant and accompanying alloy mast from the Opshop located at the Awaba Council Waste Disposal Depot.
The hull was brought back to ‘life’ and the mast was rerigged and increased in length by sleeving it with tube cut from a discarded Cherub mast. The sail is an out of time Cherub mainsail, cut back 450mm, with one reef point which when reefed is equal to the area of a Flying Ant mainsail.
The discarded fittings, blocks, sheaves, sheet rope, centre board and rudder assembly, assorted bits and pieces etc were donated by an old skiffy mate and Star class builder and sailor, Graham Engert. The boom and outrigger tubes are ‘bruised’ 50mm alloy scaffolding, panel beaten externally with the assistance of an internal mild-steel dolly, also donated by a local scaffolding company.
The outrigger floats of 95mm PVC downpiping (the only major purchase except for some stainless steel nuts, bolts etc).
I am extremely happy how the newly created “Tri Any” handles, and furthermore the hull has also been set up for rowing, its skittishness being overcome by a detachable skeg using the existing rudder pintles.
Yes, I do have a few improvisation skills, having served many apprenticeships, two initially ... Snapper Island and Cockatoo Naval Dockyards. I can’t tell you my age, but will divulge that I was born 7 August 1921. Too many small boats, together with their gear, end up at the local council garbage tip, which is sad.
PS – The boat’s name Re-Joyce is in memory of Joyce, my wife of 63 years and 8 months. She left me on the 6th of July.
Fred Thomas,
Carey Bay.
Stand aside you shallow draftsmen
Obviously, the Editor of Afloat is older and wiser than when he and the rest of us used to jump into boats at the CYC and go offshore racing without a single thought to the “mortal danger”, or “the challenge” (Afloat Editor’s Column Dec’07).
I suspect most of today’s young sailing rock stars would regard those words, as we did then, in the abstract, although “exhilaration” or “competition” might ring a few bells.
They do it, as we did, not because they are convinced it’s dangerous or because they recognise it, as the media apparently does, as an extreme sport.
They do it because they love ocean racing in all its moods, although a confrontation with a storm of Sydney- Hobart 1970, 1977, 1984, or 1998 proportions, or Fastnet 1979, 2007, or Middle Seas 2007 – might make them more aware of their mortality.
However, it’s only when you reach our age group, when most of our nine lives have been used up, that “danger” and “risk” becomes quantifiable in more ways than merely in relation to the stock market, hence your eloquent editorial.
John Brooks,
Mosman.
Captain Bell and the SS Bombo
Currently I am doing some research on historical matters of the Concord and Ryde Sailing Club in order to write some articles for our club magazine. Gregory Blaxell’s article (Afloat Nov’07) was timely for me as that only a couple of months ago I had done some research on this disaster and came across a website that was most helpful – this being www.uniteddivers.com.au/dive_locations.htm.
A lot of my effort would have been saved if I had waited until this very informative article which confirmed my research.
Our Club started in 1945 and was originally named The Concord and Rhodes Open Sailing Club and from its early days Captain Bell was associated with the Club.
After Capt. Bell’s unfortunate death his family donated a trophy to the Club in his memory and was known as The Captain Bell Memorial Cup. This trophy was presented each season for the VJ class in Captain Arthur Bell’s memory and was presented until the mid 1970s when VJs disappeared from our Club and it now resides in our Club’s Trophy case.
Ron Burwood,
Carlingford.
Locks and canals
Mike Robertson’s experiences of cruising the canals of France (Afloat Dec’07) has brought back some great memories.
Having messed around in small boats for over 50 years, I’d have to include the two weeks I spent there in 2006 in the ‘Best Holiday’ category.
My wife and I, together with another couple, hired a cruiseboat from Agen and travelled 258 kilometres through 78 locks, on the Baise River and the Canal de Garonne.
The boat was said to be “7-berth” but we found it was ideal for the four of us. There are several important things to remember about the locks …
Assume there is no-one to help you at each lock, do it all yourself.
Don’t forget to give a tip to he or she who does help – it may be their only income.
When you are travelling upstream through a lock, you may think the boat is going to be knocked back by the water rushing in through the opened sluice gate, but in fact the opposite occurs.
We followed a small yacht (about 33ft) into one lock. As the lock was filling, the yacht moved forward and the mast, extending about a metre beyond the bow, became stuck in the framework of the lockgate with serious damage to the mast and pulpit.
When you are travelling downstream through a lock, ensure that your crew put the minimum number of turns on the cleats so you can slack away easily as the water drains from the lock.
This was a terrific holiday. Recommended to all.
Ross Gibson,
Harbord.
 War service boats
I have been fortunate enough to have been able to catch up with your ‘on-line’ magazine in the various places that I have worked. These include Azerbaijan, Dubai, the Cooper Basin and now New Caledonia. I was back home on one of my, all to brief, R&Rs when I picked up the latest magazine from a chandlers while making one of my frequent purchasing forays.
I was interested to read Graeme Andrews’ articles on Yesterday’s Navy as, I believe, I am the custodian of one such vessel.
I purchased the Coranto from Church Point in Pittwater in 1998 in a ‘slightly’ run down condition. Dry rot was starting to take its toll and she was becoming dowdy although she still showed aspects of her beautiful style and quality. I trucked her to Brisbane and put her on the bank at Tripcony’s slipway at Breakfast Creek in Brisbane and, like most rebuilds, started with the prospect of some small repairs but ending up going “the whole hog” but with great sympathy to her origins. The rebuild took two years before she was returned to the water.
During the rebuild I investigated her history and found one of her previous owners living on the North Shore in Sydney. Many letters and phone calls followed to glean some of her history. He had owned her for 25 years and had great memories of family trips around Sydney and Pittwater. He had even used her as a bridal boat for his daughter’s wedding.
 He sent me excerpts from his log, which had every detail immaculately handwritten with all running and repair costs tabulated. He also sent me the original semaphore flags that came from her days in New Guinea during WWII. His son has kept the Flag Chest with the dividers for the various message flags as a family heirloom. She came back from New Guinea with a Chrysler side-valve, six-cylinder petrol engine that was common in the American units although, as I am a diesel fitter by trade, a petrol engine in a boat is not my ‘thing’. She is currently having a Yanmar fitted.
I have no documented proof of her war service, only the memories of previous owners and the few artefacts. Coranto is 30 feet long and only 8 feet from gunwale to gunwale. She is built from Kauri planks on Oregon frames.
Her coach-house timbers are solid Queensland Maple as she was launched at Sailor’s Bay in 1930 before the use of plywoods. The windows are teak and maple and drop down into the cabin sides like the old trams. She has a copper water tank which had lead piping (now removed) to the ‘double action’ water pumps in the galley and head. She is well built with the ribs at 6ins centres and good roving.
During the rebuild, the ribs were sistered and five new ‘floors’ were put in for greater strength. The condition of many of the planks was suspect so, while some were replaced, the decision to cover her in Triaxial glass and epoxy was taken. The ‘white-leaded’ cotton cloth covering the coachhouse and foredeck was removed and covered in epoxysoaked ply. Her ‘Dutch-gable’ coach-house skylight was sanded back and re-varnished to enhance the Red Cedar construction. She has been classified as a ‘Williams’ style cruiser, although a previous owner mentioned a Bert Ellison (Alison?) as the possible builder.
I have been fortunate in having good tradesmen carry out quality work that will enable her to live into the future and can’t thank David Tripcony and Gary Doornbos and their staffs enough for their good workmanship.
She has taken my family the length and breadth of Moreton Bay, the full length of the Brisbane River and as far north as Caloundra through the Pumicestone Passage. She now resides on the Gold Coast where she is used by my family and friends on a regular basis. My eldest son even took her on his honeymoon.
Moreton Bay can be a bitch in a 25 to 30 knot northerly blow and although she is only ‘a big dinghy’ and rolls well, she is very seaworthy and has never caused concern during the times we have been caught out. Night trips across the bay are just magic.
Her name, Coranto is taken either from the French folk dance that is a bit quicker than a Tango, or from a race horse that was well known in the Sydney area in the mid- 1920s.
Paul Beasley,
c/o Goro Nickel, New Caledonia.
Cancellation of sailing events
NSW Maritime would like to clarify the issue raised by Gordon Woolf ‘Breeding fair-weather sailors’ (Afloat Dec’07) regarding the cancellation of sailing events.
The Aquatic Licence Condition for sailing clubs stipulates that a person, in possession of appropriate knowledge and skill to determine the suitability of the prevailing conditions to the aquatic licensed event, is to be consulted immediately prior to the commencement of each race.
This condition enables the sailing clubs, not NSW Maritime, to determine whether or not to proceed with a sailing event depending on the conditions on the day.
Neil Patchett,
Public Affairs Manager,
NSW Maritime.
Free Advertisement
Further to Stephen O’Keefe’s letter Used Boat Prices (Afloat Nov’07).
We have been selling boats in Sydney since 1976.
Among many others, we have had a close association with the selling of both new and used Compass Yachts and Northshore Yachts from the 1980s.
In 1980 a new Compass 29 was $44,000 complete sail away. Today, this yacht will achieve much the same price. In 1980 a new Northshore 27 was $34,000 complete sail away. We have just sold that same yacht for $38,000.
In these examples it would appear that these yachts are truly good investments – financially as well as for your health and well-being.
Should anyone be looking to invest in their lives, a yacht can be good for your health. Isn’t this a good investment? As a business, we have great pleasure in helping customers in their decision to purchase a used or new boat. In fact, I am sure that I can speak on behalf of my fellow industry mates, that we all enjoy our jobs, and can help show customers the way to enjoyable boat ownership.
As we can offer a client either new or used, power or sail alternatives, we like to show people that boat ownership may not make you money, but will improve your life! Isn’t this a great investment?
Bob Vinks, (tel: 0418 233 121),
Sydney Yachting Centre, The Spit.
Removing stickyback
I’ve had some most useful relies to my letter Cherry TS & Stickyback (Afloat Oct 07).
One person not only offering some sails but mast, boom, rudder and possibly an outboard!
With regard to the removal of stickyback, I have had a list of suggestions: white spirit, eucalyptus oil, acetone, ‘Re-solve-it’, spray glue remover, International thinners # 3 & #7, turps, paint thinner etc. Another suggestion was Preen heavy duty grease & oil cleaner.
I have found that a product called ‘Goof Off – the ultimate remover’, does a fantastic job, really cleaning the sail. The glue will ball as rubbed with a wooden scraper and can be lifted off. Then dust with talcum powder and wash. I have only tested this on Dacron.
I have to say I haven’t tried all of these, so care needs to be used, and the sails given a very good wash after. I would add that most comments also included a large dollop of elbow grease!
PS – for those who asked, Tillerscope is the monthly newsletter of the Hartley TS16 Association of NSW, and available on subscription.
Barrie Heath, Editor Tillerscope.
barrieh@foremost.com.au
 R.S.V.P.
Any clues?
The above photo is of a vessel ashore on Lamb Island, Moreton Bay. The chap that asked me to endeavour to find its origins thinks it’s an old navy launch.
It’s 35 foot long and the beam is 9 feet. Here’s hoping for a reply. Cheers and beers.
Ken Goodman,
Flinders View,
Lamb Island 4184.
Marauder 27 plans
I am the proud owner of a Marauder 27 yacht, and am keen to build a scale display model of the boat.
As an essential first step I need to locate a copy of the plans, showing the lines and long section of the hull, the details of the deck layout and the general arrangement and dimensions of the vessel.
The yacht was (I think) built by Cunnard Yachts of Queensland in 1986. Cunnard Yachts no longer seem to exist and my search for the plans has so far drawn a blank. If any of your readers can suggest where I might try next it would be much appreciated.
Richard Seymour,
rjsey@ozemail.com.au
Spiral register
The Spiral 3.8 racing dinghy was created by the legendary New Zealand yacht designer Alan Warwick in 1977 and is a class that is enjoying strong growth in clubs around the Sydney area. Concord and Ryde Sailing Club have 35 Spirals in its fleet with an average of 22 enjoying keen competition each Saturday.
When the Spiral was introduced to Australia in 1978 it is known that boat builders from Victoria, NSW and Queensland produced this one-design dinghy to be used in competition, training schools and for pleasure. Many of today’s champion skippers honed their skills in a Spiral dinghy.
The Spiral Class Association of Australia have recently updated the Class Restrictions and specifications to ensure the Class maintains its competitive, high-quality and lowcost position in the dinghy sailing fraternity.
The Association is also endeavouring to update its registry of Spirals still sailed and/or owned and would like contact from many of the ‘old hands’ who still hold on to their dinghy.
Where else could one person reach so many than through the pages of Afloat?
Contact can be made via the Spiral Association website at www.spiralsailing.org or calling the Association Registrar
David Loring on (02) 9636 4370.
Bob Lindsay, Vice-president,
Spiral Class Association of Australia.
Calling all 8-Metres
I sail on the 8-Metre Juana and would like to make contact with any other International 8 Metres interested in sailing or racing together as a class or division.
So far we have three but would like to hear from more.
Rob Landis,
tel: 0414 741 725
email: rlandis@bigpond.net.au
Juno who she is?
I’m seeking information on a derelict boat moored off Yarranabbe park opposite RANSA in Rushcutters Bay. I work at Elizabeth Bay Marina and haven’t seen anyone aboard for over a year.
Her name is Juno registration plate FIFE MRN. She’s a timber boat with aluminium rigging, approx 30ft long and in very bad shape. Is there anyone with info on her? I’d like to get in touch with the owner regarding a restoration project … or even just getting her seaworthy again?
Andrew Hirtzel,
tel; 0430 540 067
andrewhirtzel@hotmail.com
 What ship is this?
From time to time the good citizens of Afloat see fit to add extra information to articles that I have contributed to the magazine. Sometimes these wretches even suggest that I am wrong!
So, to give any such worthies the opportunity to really try their talents, I offer this photograph.
Can anyone tell me what ship it is and when and where the photo was taken?
Graeme Andrews,
Afloat.
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