Features
Len Heffernan changed the style of 18 Footers in the 1960s
Brisbane led the way in the transition from the four-handed 18ft Skiffs to the three-handers in the late 1950s, but it was the late Len Heffernan who took up the challenge to introduce the new style boats to Sydney, when the local clubs initially…
Dr Ted from Berkley
Back in 2011, after we lost ’arry Driftwood, we asked Quirky if he could come up with a Christmas article for our December 2011 issue. He did. Then we asked if he had any more. He had just published the book Foul Bottoms with…
Driftwood overboard
‘arry Driftwood was a regular and much-loved columnist for Afloat. He lived aboard his yacht Driftwood. He was a committed socialist and one of his favourite things was his daily trip ashore for a coffee and an argument – all in good humour. On…
Partners in Time
Australia’s pre-eminent marine artist, the Albany-based Ross Harry Shardlow, has been honoured with Membership in the Order of Australia. The official recognition, announced by the Governor General in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours, is a fitting tribute to Shardlow’s extraordinary artistic talent and to…
The Deadly Hazard of Urination
Have you ever heard of “Micturition syncope”? This is a fainting spell that can occur during or, more commonly, immediately after urination due to a severe drop in blood pressure. On board, such a collapse is not only particularly dangerous, but…
The Kulmar Family – World 18ft Skiff Champions
The 128-year history of Australia’s 18 Footers is famous for having generations of a family competing over many years. Occasionally, even two generations are competing together or against each other at the same time. What sets the Kulmar family apart from the…
AFLOAT Nautical Quiz
Jim Broadside is locked in the fo’csle but it didn’t stop him from sending his latest Nautical Quiz via carrier pigeon. AFLOAT NAUTICAL QUIZ 287 1. The founder and leader of the WW2 Coastwatchers was: Commander Eric A Feldt RAN…
Boat Trailer Challenge
Whether on the slip ramp or on the road – anyone who is dependent on regularly hauling their boat knows about the many small pitfalls and subtleties involved in dealing with a bulky trailer. As is so often the case practice…
Plague Ships
It was not just the Ruby Princess that allowed unchecked and infected passengers ashore, this has been happening for centuries. But 600 years ago, some local officials were more cognisant and proactive towards the dangers of infection than we have seen recently in NSW.
18ft Skiffs: James Joseph Giltinan, The Man Behind the Name on the Trophy
Main photo: Taree, winner of the first Giltinan world Championship in 1938 and the JJ Giltinan World 18 Footer Trophy Since January 1938, the JJ Giltinan 18ft Skiff Championship has been regarded as the world championship for all 18 Footer Racing and…
Paper. Ruler. Dividers.
Unlike, Paper, Rock, Scissors, this is no game and literally, utterly deadly serious. The following article provided by Pantaenius Insurance is actually about more traditional forms of navigation and your obligations as a skipper. It is the definitive statement in…
The fourteen year old People-Smuggler
In 1965 I was spending most weekends out on the harbour in my 3.4 metre aluminium boat powered by a series of higher and higher horsepower outboards. Because they could go faster than ten knots I was supposed to have a licence but as…
