Scruffy Shimmy
The recently completed Shimmy sailing dinghy was not a quick build. It was originally purchased by John Williams, one of our long-time members, several years ago as a kit with everything included, from Scruffy Marine in the Tamborine Mountains, Queensland. After moving to Mareeba soon after he started construction, personal circumstances halted work on the boat and, with a less than adequate work-space and little community support, over several years progress was very slow.
The WBAC community became involved about 2 years ago when we were asked to assist with finishing the build. John being concerned that, without help, it would never be finished. Over several months, Roger, Tom and Glen travelled to Mareeba about once every 2 or 3 weeks for a mornings’ work on it. At the start the boat was little more than the keel and frames mounted on a strongback in a garage. Not in a state to be moved.
Over the next few months, the boat was turned over, the plywood was shaped and fitted to the hull, the inner and outer gunwales installed and seams coved and fibre-glassed. With the enthusiastic support of the WBAC, suddenly the boat construction was making progress and John found the confidence that it could be finished. After about 8 months the boat was in a state where it looked like a boat and could be put onto its’ trailer for transport down to the WBAC premises in Cairns.
Once there, a small team, led by Tom (our sander and painter extraordinaire) together with John, sanded, sealed and painted the external hull. The interior was then given the same treatment, with all active club members lending a hand at one time or the other.
The final fitout took a while (it always does!), but the result is a very smart looking sailing dinghy. With a blue hull, natural timber features, pale cream interior and russet sails, it is a colourful addition to the members’ boating ensemble, soon to be seen on Lake Tinaroo.
This build epitomises the supportive attitude of the WBAC to assist one another when needed and, where possible, that wooden boats are completed to be enjoyed by their owners.
Roger Fryer
18 March 2024
