Our favourite Event Organiser, Brian Downes, and his crew, including Event Action-Man, Brad Duncan, are on the verge of a hit with the 2005 Australian Wooden Boat Festival in Hobart 12th to 14th February.

With 300 wooden boats on land and water you're in for a display that'll excite young and old 'salts'. The Pride of the fleet of boats visiting from outside Tasmania will be the 130 year old, James Craig, which left Hobart many years ago as a bit of a wreck towed toward a big dream which has come true! She's now a beautiful tall ship again and will be open for inspection and cruises during the visit. The modest charge for inspection will offset the huge costs associated with maintaining the vessel, some $400,000 per year is required! She provides regular cruising opportunities in Sydney, see links below for more info.

• Australian Wooden Boat Festival 2005
  photographs by Kelvin Markham
• James Craig Pages
• The Australian Wooden Boat Festival