Kiama was exceptionally well represented at this year’s Wooden Boat Festival in Hobart, held from 7-10 February, with two boats - the MV SIGNA and Wayfarer II - featured at the prestigious Constitution Dock.

Both boats were the result of long, multi-year restoration projects by Kiama locals passionate about the craft of boat building. The MV SIGNA was restored by a crew of men in their 70s and 80s, led by owner John Hansen, while Wayfarer II was overseen by 79 year old Rick Scott-Murphy.

Both boats sailed to Hobart, each facing its own set of challenges along the way. Rick sailed Wayfarer II from Shellharbour in early January to ensure he’d make it to the festival on time.

“We sailed in one leg from Shellharbour to Twofold Bay, Eden, where we had to do some minor repairs to the exhaust. Then we set off for Flinders Island, but we ran into an issue with the autopilot, so I didn’t want to cross Bass Strait without it,” says Rick.

“Instead, we diverted to Lakes Entrance and moored the boat at Metung for a few weeks while we sent the component away for repair. Once it was fixed, we sailed to Lady Barron on Flinders Island, where we waited for a good weather window, then sailed straight through to Kettering in one go.”

The Wayfarer II. Source: Rick Scott-Murphy.

John and his crew left on 22 January, giving themselves a bit less time to reach Hobart, which almost proved costly. They ran into mechanical issues when they discovered a blockage in the heat exchanger on top of the gearbox and had to stay a couple of nights in Batemans Bay.

“The trip was a lot harder than we expected,” says John. “It was grueling. We faced some major seas down the coast of New South Wales. The toughest part was the 38-and-three-quarter-hour stretch from Bermagui to Saint Helens. After that, we just hopped down the coast to Hobart.”

Both John and Rick expressed the immense relief and excitement they felt when they finally reached Constitution Dock in Hobart.

“You spend some harrowing hours at sea in rough weather in Bass Strait,” says Rick. “But when you arrive at Constitution Dock, no matter what time of day, the crowd in Hobart welcomes you warmly. It’s such a good feeling.”

John praised the MV SIGNA for its superb build and how it handled the rough seas.

“We’re very proud of the boat,” says John. “It handled everything we threw at it. One time, leaving Batemans Bay, we faced three-and-a-half to four-metre seas with water pouring over the boat, but it handled it beautifully.”

The restored MV SIGNA.

Both also had emotional reunions with people connected to the boats. Rick reunited Wayfarer II with its original owner, Bruce Martin, while John invited the children of MV SIGNA’s original builder, Robert Riddell, to the festival.

“We have a photo of me and my brothers and sisters in front of this boat just before it was launched,” says Donald Riddell, Robert’s son. “The size of the boat and the project was a major milestone for us. It’s very emotional to be here, as it’s such a recognition of my father’s skill.”

Both John and Rick expressed their continued passion for the craft of boatbuilding and their admiration for the other boats at the Australian Wooden Boat Festival, as well as for sailing itself.

“Shipwrights - the people who build these boats - are a dying breed, which is really sad,” says John. “But what you see here is top-of-the-line workmanship. These boats are just beautiful, and every one of them has a story to tell.”

“I just find it fascinating that with just wind and water, you can go anywhere in the world. I could sail this boat anywhere in the world using only the wind. The feeling of unfurling the sails, trimming them to the right angle, and watching the boat surge forward - that’s something I’ll never get over,” says Rick.

The Bugle would like to congratulate both boats and their respective crews for all the hours of hard work and dedication, and for being recognised at the National Wooden Boat Festival.