S
ydney’s 2018 Classic & Wooden
Boat Festival attracted 100
vessels to the heart of the
city at Cockle Bay where,
everything from tall ships to
tiny cockleshells shone in the autumn
sun.
Ranging from gleaming Halvorsen
motorboats, yachts and skiffs, classic
speedboats, steam launches, tug boats,
whalers and Navy workboats — a
variety of vessels adorned the Maritime
Museum quay and city shoreline for
the event. Towering over them were
the tall ships that included the Young
Endeavour sail trainer whose ratlines I
enjoyed scrambling up; while nearby,
Australia’s only clipper ship, the James
Craig, sat majestically near the wooden
hulled HMB Endeavour of Captain
Cook.FLOATING HISTORIES
Among this glittering armada of
brightwork, hemp and tar, there lies
a rich maritime history and a hint of
movie star glamour.
After the 1788 first fleet arrival, of
which Captain Cook had instigated
during his exploration voyage on the
Endeavour, settlers and cargo began
arriving on clipper ships like James
Craig, and thus followed the great circle
route along the southern capes.
In 1988, this event was celebrated by
gifting the Young Endeavour (a training
sailing ship) by Britain to its former
colony.
Also among this armada, could
be found the Hurrica V from Baz
Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby, and the
Maritime museum’s own SY Ena, star of
Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries.
However, no matter how humble
or glamorous their history, each of
these vessels tell a story, and for many
owners this is a major attraction.
“I’ve always wanted a beautiful
classic yacht, so when I got some
money, I took my chance,” explained
Domenico Giuffré, who was the
new owner of a beautifully restored
sloop. He’d joined the Classic Yacht
Association of Australia (www.classic-
yacht.asn.au) to gain knowledge on
ownership and up-keeping his boat.
“But most of all, I just like sitting
aboard and going around the harbour,”
he said.CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE Wood never goes out of style; Climbing up into rarified air
on the Young Endeavour; Over 100 vessels were on full show at Darling Harbour; Classic
and modern styles come together to great effect; These vessels all have good
craftsmanship in common; ‘Looks like we’re having tinned spaghetti again, love!’16 tradeaboat.com.au