Launches

A more gentle way of boating.
We meet numbers of people who are seeking a boat that they cannot find in the mass-produced area. One of the most common enquiries is for launches or "Putt-Putts", as many refer to them. The affectionate title alludes to the sound made by the old style two-stroke motors of an earlier era.

 

The enquiry is usually accompanied by stories of family outing, fishing and river trips that have remained strongly in someone's memory from their childhood. And now they are looking to enjoy those experiences again.

 

The charm of launches and indeed "Putt-Putts" is the casual and gentle style of boating they engender. Low on maintenance, laughable fuel consumption and personality. Like a faithful family dog, they are always ready for an outing. And yet, in terms of stability and seaworthiness they are hard to beat.

 

 

The legendary stability and safety of traditional launches is undeniable. The most common enquiry we receive is for people seeking an old boat worthy of restoration. Unfortunately the launches that remain fall into two categories.

 

First, excellent examples which will remain in the owners family for generations.

 

Second, those whose resurrection is unviable.

 

We have, in response to these enquiries build a variety of launches over the years. Based on an English off-the-beach fishing model they have joined the small fleet of fishing/picnic boats around port Philip Bay.

 

 

We used one as a work and family boat for many years ourselves- and those conversations with grandchildren which start by them saying, "grandpa, do you remember when we used to go fishing all the time . . . . " as a prelude to them going fishing with family and friends are very gratifying.

 

Over the years we have also built launches in survey for local governments and other bodies. Who needed the qualities associated with traditional boats.

 

 

Presently we have in the workshop a fantail launch developed for a modern diesel engine, and destined to cruise the Noosa river. What better way to spend an afternoon.

 

We are building the bare hull and the owner intends to complete the fit-out himself. This is a way to acquire a desired boat in a reasonable time at a reasonable cost.

 

 

The fan-tailed launch is being built stitch-and-glue, in this case. But it is a fact that all launches built today can benefit from modern technology. Being able to develop a boat on the computer to fit a client's specific requirements and then from the files, CNC cut frame, planks and templates for other parts is a tremendous saving of time and materials.

 

We are presently developing a double ended clinker launch, based on Dutch models, intended to have a teak fit-out to suit social cruising.

 

 

It is planned to be our next built, to the bare hull stage, with the owner to finish. It seems to be the new direction of amateur boatbuilding.