Here’s a selection of Australian economic headlines from the last fortnight.!
“Australia faces its longest stretch of sub-2% growth since the early 1990s recession.”
“Energy shock raises stagflation fears.”
“Data centre boom hides a weak underlying economy.”
“Economy stuck in a holding pattern for two years.”
“Business leaders most worried about recession.”
“Inflation beats expectations.”
So if you are looking to get out on the water in a characterful wooden boat, you might have to bypass some of the $100/hour shipwright labour costs and consider a bit of DIY
So let’s see what projects are available and set the starting limit at $6G Here’s one from each State!
South Australia - A “Project” H28 - $1200
OK, so you won’t be out on the water this summer, but you could get a lot of satisfaction bringing this timeless design back to life. 1950 Herreshoff H28 Carvel Planked yacht lying in Port Adelaide. The vendor is only asking the value of the lead! Free delivery and cranage ex Port Adelaide to Adelaide/Goolwa area. No masts or sails, bare hull. No engine.
Western Australia - A 37ft Ex-Navy Boat - $3500 ono
Great potential and an enthralling back story! TS Pastime, was built in WA 1933, for the military and then became a gentleman's cruiser after the second world war. It’s in good shape. Major structural refurbs compete. Jarrah planks. Oregon combings. Deck house recently planked in Cedar. Ceilings partially planked in pine tongue-in-groove more stock comes with boat.
Needs a motors.
Queensland - 1957 36ft Hinckley Sloop - $1500
Classic 36ft Hinckley Sloop from 1957 Its a major Restoration Project
Designed by Sparkman & Stephens it’s an opportunity to restore a beautiful piece of classic yacht history.
This is Hull No. 3 of only 6 wooden Hinckley yachts built to this design. The design went on to become extremely well known, with more than 1,000 fibreglass examples subsequently built.
The yacht has already had significant professional restoration work carried out, including being re-framed and re-planked below the waterline by a professional wooden boat builder.
Tasmania - Falmouth Quay Punt - $23,500
OK, I know… I’ve massively blown the budget… Beg borrow or steal! (the trailers got to be worth $10G!) How could you not want to finish building this beauty!
A rare and unique opportunity to finish this beautiful project - sitting on a heavy duty launch trailer and lofted from traditional Falmouth Quay Punt lines by a master shipright, this is perhaps one of, if not the truest attempts to resurrect such traditional Punt lines in modern times. Heavily constructed from cold moulded celery top pine and inspired by "Curlew", the FQP which was famously navigated by Tim and Pauline Carr engineless into the highest of latitudes. In 2022 this ship was trucked down by semi-trailer from northern Tasmania to the Kettering/Channel region, where she now awaits a new owner Hull & deck complete with a partial interior fitout.
New South Wales - Custom Carvel Cabin Launch - $3000
It’s hard to tell what’s going on here, but to tell you the truth its tricky to find any interesting “project” boats in NSW. But you never know… It could be worth a look. "Sirena" is a 1965 Custom Carvel Cabin Launch Motor Cruiser. Includes Life Jackets and fendors, bilge pump, solar panels and toilet. Due to owners busy work commitiments the boat has not been maiantained hence the purchase price. - The starter motor is not working - The keys are lost - Anti-fouling is required - Extensive cleaning is required
Victoria - Normandy Class Laurent Giles - Free
The Normandy Class is an iconic Laurent Giles design, renowned for its elegance and offshore capability. At 28’9” in length, 8’6” beam, and 6” draft, she is a thoroughbred—fast, safe, and more than capable of circumnavigating the globe. The efficient sloop rig and perfectly balanced hull reflect Giles’ design genius, slim through the water and beautifully weighted. This vessel is believed to have been built by legendary Tasmanian boatbuilder Athol Walter, whose craftsmanship adds valuable provenance. Though she will need some recommissioning, her bones are excellent and she represents an affordable entry point into classic yacht ownership.