it was at sea, aboard the wild rose, that golding could escape the demons of class, inferiority and what we might now call post-traumatic stress that haunted him all his life.

The mid 1990’s. Two locals begin rowing round a few of the older boats asking if anyone might be interested to participate in the revival of a Regatta based at Mahurangi. The rest is history.

Can we draw your attention to the smile on the chap, about to christen the bow of his boat with a bottle of beer. Sums it all up. Priceless.

…And I think this is why we also love, sail and chose to be the custodians of old boats – in doing so we are connected to something bigger than ourselves, a bigger story, a continuous story…

I had a quick look at Yachthub to see what else you might find for this price…Nothing against old Beneteaus, but if space and comfort are your priorities then I suggest you stay at home.

I must admit I’m slightly fascinated by the blooper as we used to fly one on the first keelboat I ever crewed, an S&S Defiance, in the 1980’s.

There was a time in Greece when after much Retsina, I packed my bag and shouted - ‘That’s it! I’m leaving!’

A post on Instagram about a Tumlaren prompted a family member to respond and start a trail of connections that led us to a boat that had disappeared for some 20 or more years.

The story is brilliant … However what I found difficult to grasp was the genre. Was what I was reading based on documented research or extrapolations from the imagination of my author?

In many ways the post-war wooden, Southern Australian Cray Fishing boats are ideally suited to become cruising vessels. Listen to a man who has actually lived the dream and dodged the pitfalls.

Whatever date you believe Australia Day should be celebrated, it’s a great opportunity to recognise people in our community - and here, particularly - in our sailing community.

The Noosa Yacht and Rowing Club held the inaugural Noosa Gaff Rig regatta in 2019 in conjunction with a local charity on the banks of the Noosa River…And now there are plans to do it again.

Look what appeared on the hardstand at RYCV in Melbourne this week!

Here, summertime Wednesday night racing seems to be a form of sailing cult.

The Kiwis are world leaders in restoring sailing craft and cherishing their very individual boats. And the world's biggest and most historic one-day regatta is just 10 days away!

I watched the dramatic events unfold in the early stages of the Prada Cup last weekend. I must admit that subconsciously I was hoping to dislike the whole event.

Peter writes, “The CYAA has named the passage race as The Topsy D Race to recognise the contribution to the history of yachting on Port Phillip by the 21 foot restricted class and in particular the Digby Family with their three boats.”

However, as a photographer I have always enjoyed the concept of Instagram…Of course, 95% of it is drivel…however, in the wooden boat community there are a few feeds that educate, inform and amuse.

In Breaking News // This morning SWS spoke with HIRW Regatta Director, Denis Thompson and asked the question: “Denis, what would it take to get a Classic Division at Hamilton Island in 2021?" His reply? “It only takes seven.” We only need seven boats to have a Division, but to make it interesting, let’s aim for 20!

I am!

…Into the nothingness of scorn and noise // Into the living sea of waking dreams…// John Clare 1848