The launch of Franklin's new St Ayles Skiff

The Bittern's crew taking 'Freyja' for her first row.

The Bittern's crew taking 'Freyja' for her first row.

Franklin's third St Ayles Skiff, built at the Wooden Boat Centre in 2016 was launched yesterday.  The community celebrated the launch as part of the Swiftsure Regatta activities.  The vessel was named 'Freyja' to honour both her Scottish design heritage as well as being named after the Norse Goddess 'Freyja'.  The boat will be used regularly for community rowing for fun and fitness as well as for competition rowing in the International St Ayles Skiff regatta circuit. 

The Airport Biosecurity counter

Mike Johnson with the biosecurity bag search counter in the workshop in late July.

Mike Johnson with the biosecurity bag search counter in the workshop in late July.

The counter is a beamy clinker dinghy design, planked in King Billy Pine, with a Celery Top Pine laid deck for a counter top.  The fore deck is Tas Oak and provides a space for the Biosecurity dogs to sleep in between flights.  The counter will have a stainless steel plinth added to it to complete a counter to the correct work height for the Biosecurity staff when searching passengers bags on entry to Tasmania.  

The almost finished counter installed in the arrivals area of Hobart Airport.

The almost finished counter installed in the arrivals area of Hobart Airport.

The April Clinker Dinghy course

Students at the beginning of their 7 week course with instructors Pete Laidlaw and Mike Johnson

Students at the beginning of their 7 week course with instructors Pete Laidlaw and Mike Johnson

In April 5 students joined us to complete a Clinker Dinghy building course.  Students came from varied backgrounds. Wayne from Northern NSW who reconnected with his earlier industrial arts teaching skills; Max who had recently finished high school in country Victoria; Jay a Canadian backpacker looking for cool experiences; Ellie a British backpacker looking to extend her cabinet making skills; and Ray a psychologist from Melbourne.

Ray, Jay and Max who were instructed by Pete Laidlaw to build 'Jeanie', Max's rowing dinghy.

Ray, Jay and Max who were instructed by Pete Laidlaw to build 'Jeanie', Max's rowing dinghy.

Together the group built two clinker dinghies a rowing and sailing version. 

Mike Johnson with students Ellie and Wayne.  Wayne made the sailing version of the 11.4' dinghy to sell at the next Wooden Boat Festival.

Mike Johnson with students Ellie and Wayne.  Wayne made the sailing version of the 11.4' dinghy to sell at the next Wooden Boat Festival.