Coot Boat

The ‘Coot’ boat is finished!

Enthusiastic hand-clapping and a cheer for the boyz at the Lorne Men’s Shed who have finished work on their ‘Coot’ boat, essentially a dinghy to be used in and around the Erskine Estuary to aid in retrieving of boats in the shallow and reed infested water.

Building the two-man craft represents one of the most intricate, complicated, and at times most frustrating efforts by Team ‘Coot’ yet attempted by the Shedders. The Team was led by Tony Wolfenden with help from Bob Sinclair, Allan Walls, Peter Morgan and others.

Peter Morgan built the boat cradle and totally refurbished the battery-operated trolling motor as well as doing some very precise routing for the rowlock holders.

The ‘Coot’ name is derived from an international catalogue purchased by the Shedders, and all material was sourced locally.

Tony Wolfenden said that the ‘Coot’ would be launched at the Regatta on Easter Sunday. “The current plan is to open a bottle of good champagne, pour a few drops on the bow, thank the assembled builders and drink the rest of the champagne,” he said.

Peter Morgan will captain the ‘Coot’ during the Regatta.