The Celine Eloise, a stunning wooden boat, has been moored at the number one spot in Hobart’s marina for this year’s Wooden Boat Festival.
Cleveland owner Greg Barry entered the boat for the first time at the festival, which focuses on Pacific vessels.
Built in Ballina in 1965, the Celine Eloise was initially sent to Papua New Guinea to service the coastline with transport and cargo.
It was also used as a medical vessel, with surgery performed on board.
After serving for about 20 years, the boat went to a local government agent in Wewak before being bought by Mr Barry in 2005.
“I replaced every plank and every rib. It took six years,” he said.
The 20m vessel features two large state rooms, a bunk house, a fly bridge, and it also has a downstairs helm.
In 2011, Mr Barry sailed the boat with a skipper and crew from Madang in PNG to Milne Bay, then to Townsville, and ultimately to its berth at Raby Bay.
“I use it for pleasure,” he said.
“The inspiration for the craft was to give my daughter Celine access on her wheelchair.
“She has her own cabin. We can wheel her on deck and go away.”
The Celine Eloise has already sailed to the Whitsundays, but the trip to Hobart has been its most ambitious undertaking so far.
“Not many boats have done that distance from PNG. It would be about 2000 nautical miles,” Mr Barry said.
The boat was skippered by the Little Ships Club at North Stradbroke Island commodore Bruce Phillips.
The crew comprised Fred Tamer, David Shannon, Tim Clarke and commodore and founder of Shag Islet cruising yacht club, Ken Thackeray.
Mr Phillips said it had been an absolute privilege to be asked to sail Celine Eloise to Hobart.
“I was thrilled to be asked to command such a lovely vessel,” he said.
The nine-day journey was a memorable one for Mr Barry.
“It has been a wonderful trip. One of those things you want to tick off – sailing a beautiful boat to a beautiful destination,” he said.
