Another successful Narooma BoatsAfloat Festival saw 53 traditional boats take the scenic waters of Wagonga Inlet over the weekend.
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Conditions were less than perfect but the popular grand parade under the Narooma Bridge and along the boardwalk took place Sunday morning despite the steady breeze.
The morning tea run on Saturday morning was also a success and this year the boats pulled up at Pete’s Point on Barlows Bay.
But heavy rain on Saturday afternoon pretty much washed out the live jazz music and sticky beak of the boats at the Narooma Marina.
Festival committee member Mark Westwood said other highlights were the opening barbecue at the boat sheds on Friday evening and the Saturday night dinner and auction at The Inlet.
The dinner auction included handmade wooden items made by the Narooma Men’s Shed members and a stunning boat model by last year’s best boat winner and skilled woodworker Eric Simes.
“It was a great weekend and we got a few new boats although some of the folks who have been here all previous nine years weren’t able to make it due to health issues and we missed them,” he said.
There were the usual mechanical issues experienced and overcome over the weekend but that was all part of the hobby of traditional boats.
Committee member Smiley McGill said there was a great spirit of camaraderie and everyone was looking forward to the 11th festival next year.
The 100-year-old wooden skiff relaunched by the Narooma Centre for Wooden Boats last month made an appearance in the grand parade, rowed by couple Steve Deck and Laurelle Pacey, although a tow was required at times due to tide and wind.
The best boat was won by the boat ‘Time’ owned and built by Kevin Neal from Windale on Lake Macquarie. He built it over four years, and frequently wrote the word ‘Time’ in his notes frequently to remind himself of the time it was taking and that he had the time to do it.
Kevin and his wife Judy took home a mantle piece trophy and local book ‘The Lure of Montague’ by Laurelle Pacey. Kevin also received a bronze plaque to place inside the boat.
The Narooma Blue Water Dragons also paddled along in the grand parade, following on from their fun antics with the Dalmeny Deviates the day before. Click here for all the action
