A new-built timber yacht is coming to life at Lavender Bay, Sydney. I have long dreamed of building a traditional boat to offer participation-style sail charters on Sydney Harbour for newcomers, enthusiasts and old salts alike.

AUSTRAL is now 75 percent completed. With your patronage, we could have her sailing early next year. A few unforeseen disruptions and a diversion to help with the life-saving efforts of Australia's nautical heritage elsewhere have left us needing support with funding for the boat’s completion.

As an acknowledgment of your generosity, you'll be first on board for a range of pre-launch offers to come, including:

This characterful boat will become a highly visible icon of Sydney Harbour. With a hand to the halyards and spray in your hair, you could be part of this beautiful vessel's life. You will become part of her family and history in the making by donating.

AUSTRAL (of the south, southern hemisphere, of Australia) is 28 feet of Australian yachting heritage in hand-crafted local timbers. Her hull is based on the world-famous Couta Boats of South-Eastern Australia with the addition of a cockpit and cabin. She will sail comfortably with up to eight or ten people and be able to carry up to twelve plus crew.

With more than 100 years of family boatbuilding heritage in North Sydney, my father Bob, and now I have become a publicly visible vestige of traditional wooden boatbuilding for many years at Lavender Bay. I'd like to think we have given many passersby, tourists and locals pleasure of watching our creations grow over the years.

You can view detail of building AUSTRAL on these sites

https://www.gordonwoodenboats.org/

https://www.facebook.com/GordonWoodenBoats

https://www.instagram.com/gordonwoodenboats/?hl=en