For the love of timber boats

True connoisseurs of the Australian fishing vessel heritage will appreciate the beautiful ‘Pamela-Jean’, a Port Phillip Bay fishing trawler built by Pompeii, a well known family of Italian migrants who brought with them many generations of shipwrights skills, from steam binding, to caulking a hull to perfection, to fashioning beautiful bronze fittings. Pamela-Jean’s last owner bought her in Melbourne a few years ago and with the help of the acclaimed architect Rick Leplastrier and celebrated Pittwater shipwright Mick Cardiff proceeded to completely refurbish her, transforming her coach-roof and cabin top in a combination of classic and modern, with long, laminated longitudinal beams and reinforced glass windows which disappear by magic with the help of discreet electric switch, transforming her cabin into an indoor/outdoor area in just a few seconds.

Sparing no expense, precious timbers were used in the refit to complement the beautiful kauri and spotted gum construction, with mature Burmese teak selected for the trimmings, solid aft bench and swim platform, silver ash for the interior and solid blocks of Queensland maple for cabinet tops and chart table.

In spite of her 38 years of age her survey report was one of the cleanest we had ever seen.

Pamela-Jean has just been sold by Nautilus Yacht Management and is maintained by Careel Bay Marina for her new owner.

Congratulations to Peter and his family!