HI guys
Looking at a couple of Brolga 33s to buy and one has Swanson style stepped coachouse whereas the other has Currawong style.. The guy with the Swanson style one says the Currawong style coachouse means not Baker built and apparently Baker built is better as he had an air conditioned factory... as opposed to the Currawong style ones which were built somewhere else (Gosford?).
Anybody know enough history to confirm this?
Thanks
I don't know anything about them.
Here's a picture of the Geelong based one, assuming this may be one of the ones you're looking at.
Not from the same club as me but I've seen it out on the bay sailing a few times.
Only learnt what it was from chatting with the gentlemen aboard while sailing along next to them.

Berimilla had to have her hull shaved and she is supposed to be a Baker boat with a Currawong cabin.
Berimilla had to have her hull shaved and she is supposed to be a Baker boat with a Currawong cabin.
HI guys
Looking at a couple of Brolga 33s to buy and one has Swanson style stepped coachouse whereas the other has Currawong style.. The guy with the Swanson style one says the Currawong style coachouse means not Baker built and apparently Baker built is better as he had an air conditioned factory... as opposed to the Currawong style ones which were built somewhere else (Gosford?).
Anybody know enough history to confirm this?
Thanks
Check on the build dates if you can. Mr Baker died in 1979. The Brolga 33 here has similar deck mouldings, winch mounts etc as my Currawong so I presume it was Baker built. I have just sold my Currawong too.
Thank you very much for your valuable input guys. Yes I like the inclusion of the Sailormat windvane and also prefer a tiller for simplicity. A few hull blisters and even more rudder blisters in this one tho and sister boats requiring a full peel is a worry. The guy with the Swanson coachouse one has had his 40 years and reckons never any osmosis. The Geelong one (Currawong Style) has a very nice Stainless steel mast step girder rather than the gal one in the (Swanson style) other. No self tailing winches or new rigging/motors/sails in either though. Meanwhile anyone have any comments on the Duncanson 34 here: SO FRUSTRATED THAT AS NEW MEMBER I CANT POST A LINK OR PIC. Its on boats online in Newport Qld.
I am confused with Duncansons as this one seems to have a much more modern (flatish) coachouse than most and relatively flat foredeck which I like. The reverse transom also seems to have a rudder very aft (a La Mottle 33) unlike others. Cant see underwater profile but must be different to 35s and hopefully still has integral keel. Also weird is apparent lack of spinnaker winches but presence of large winches between mast and cockpit???. What are they for???. Still seems to have fairly pinched in cockpit at rear tho :(. Glad to see your Currawong has a new home Ramona-hope the s&s is good to you.
Thank Also weird is apparent lack of spinnaker winches but presence of large winches between mast and cockpit???. What are they for???.
When these boats were first made for fully crewed racing most of the mast lines were brought back to individual winches on the cabin deck with a pair winches on the cockpit coamings. My Currawong still has the assortment of deck winches plus many others added later for short handed sailing. I run the spinnaker sheet back to a convenient winch on the cockpit deck and I think this is how they did it on the S2H. I think I have 11 winches all up, but only ever use 4 even for spinnaker work.
A
Meanwhile anyone have any comments on the Duncanson 34 here: SO FRUSTRATED THAT AS NEW MEMBER I CANT POST A LINK OR PIC. Its on boats online in Newport Qld.
If you paste the link without the https bit you should be able to sneak it through. Other's wont be able to click on it but they will be able to check out what you are talking about.
Don't know how many posts you need to make but it's not a lot.
no https
www.boatsonline.com.au/boats-for-sale/used/sailing-boats/duncanson-34/246219
with
www.boatsonline.com.au/boats-for-sale/used/sailing-boats/duncanson-34/246219
For many years a few boats ago, I was in a pen near this Dunc. The owner told me the deck was the 'racing' version. I have no idea whether this is correct or not.
The boat never left the dock in the entire time I was there. It's been for sale for a very long time (years).
For many years a few boats ago, I was in a pen near this Dunc. The owner told me the deck was the 'racing' version. I have no idea whether this is correct or not.
The boat never left the dock in the entire time I was there. It's been for sale for a very long time (years).
The price tells you why it has not sold.
Thanks again for the info people's. Not a whole lot of choice around at the moment and have to go far afield to find anything at all let alone anything that looks well kept with a few electronic extras reasonably new rigging and sails or engine that isn't a million years old . So nice that people on here actually know some of the boats :-)
So I'm too slow. Geelong Brolga sold after 2 days on web. Anyone here snap her up?
That was a nice boat. Interior and good sails and very good photos would have sold that boat. There seems to be a real demand for good boats at the moment.
The Duncanson 34 is an entirely different boat to the Duncanson 35. I'm fairly sure the 34 has a bolt on lead keel on a keel stub. Fin keel and skeg/rudder similar to an SS34. That deck layout in the Qld boat is the stock layout and they nearly all have wheel steering. Of the Duncanson 34's my pick would be the Adelaide one "Nambri" yachthub.com/list/yachts-for-sale/used/sail-monohulls/duncanson-34/236516
Nice interior, self tailing winches with reefing back to the cockpit. HF radio which might indicate some offshore racing history. I would leave the fisherman anchor in SA!
Thanks Ramona. Yes bolt on keel not ideal. Suspected that. Funny the Brolga had a fisherman's anchor too. Heaven knows what that would be used for. Looks like something out of Captain Cooks day!
Thanks Ramona. Yes bolt on keel not ideal. Suspected that. Funny the Brolga had a fisherman's anchor too. Heaven knows what that would be used for. Looks like something out of Captain Cooks day!
The Fisherman's Anchor (along with the hook at the bow to stow it) is, for the most, a South Australian phenomenon.
The Dunc 34 was designed by John Duncanson in about 1971. The 35 was a modified version that rated better under IOR and came out around 1972. The other "Duncanson 34" was initially called the Duncanson Three Quarter Tonner. It's an Alan Blackburne design, built by Dunco but unlike the 34/35, not designed by him.
Thanks Ramona. Yes bolt on keel not ideal. Suspected that. Funny the Brolga had a fisherman's anchor too. Heaven knows what that would be used for. Looks like something out of Captain Cooks day!
The fishermans anchor is for anchoring in ribbon weed.
Thanks Ramona. Yes bolt on keel not ideal. Suspected that. Funny the Brolga had a fisherman's anchor too. Heaven knows what that would be used for. Looks like something out of Captain Cooks day!
The Fisherman's Anchor (along with the hook at the bow to stow it) is, for the most, a South Australian phenomenon.
Thanks Ramona. Yes bolt on keel not ideal. Suspected that. Funny the Brolga had a fisherman's anchor too. Heaven knows what that would be used for. Looks like something out of Captain Cooks day!
The fishermans anchor is for anchoring in ribbon weed.
Although I don't have a fishermans, I left the hook on my bow - it's often a conversation starter with other boaties ("...umm, whats that for mate??" ), as Azure was originally from SA.
Mind you, I had to ask the SB forum a while back what it was - i had no idea til then![]()

Julesmoto
These may interest you. My picks would be the Swanson Carmen 31, Carter 33 and Phantom 33.
yachthub.com/list/yachts-for-sale/used/sail-monohulls/swanson-31-carmen/253347
yachthub.com/list/yachts-for-sale/used/sail-monohulls/savage-30-defiance-30-ft-sailing-boat/254238
yachthub.com/list/yachts-for-sale/used/sail-monohulls/nebe-miura-custom/210802
yachthub.com/list/yachts-for-sale/used/sail-monohulls/nantucket-31/201593
yachthub.com/list/yachts-for-sale/used/sail-monohulls/cole-31/213639
yachthub.com/list/yachts-for-sale/used/sail-monohulls/carter-33/243131
yachthub.com/list/yachts-for-sale/used/sail-monohulls/holland-30-cruiser-racer/254563
yachthub.com/list/yachts-for-sale/used/sail-monohulls/phantom-32/227138
yachthub.com/list/yachts-for-sale/used/sail-monohulls/dehler-34-optima-101/249864
Thanks for all the info people's. Really want a non bolt-on keel with boats of this age as bolts can be a real liability. Don't want a sandwich construction hull either. It really is unbelievably hard to find something good which won't require a lot of work. The Phantom 32 was interesting but the guy can't substantiate the rigging having been done in 2016 and furthermore he has broken his leg and won't show it to anybody for a month because he said it has bird crap all over it. Asked him 3 weeks ago for photos of the interior but still none and now he has a broken leg.
Pretty wary after being blatently lied to by a (currently in France) Scarborough Qld Mottle 33 owner about 2YO rigging that turns out to be over 9YO. Getting nowhere fast :-(.
BTW anyone know anything about whether Endeavour 30s are any good or whether perhaps they are a slow dog not being designed by a known architect?
Thanks for all the info people's. Really want a non bolt-on keel with boats of this age as bolts can be a real liability. Don't want a sandwich construction hull either. It really is unbelievably hard to find something good which won't require a lot of work. The Phantom 32 was interesting but the guy can't substantiate the rigging having been done in 2016 and furthermore he has broken his leg and won't show it to anybody for a month because he said it has bird crap all over it. Asked him 3 weeks ago for photos of the interior but still none and now he has a broken leg. Getting nowhere fast :-(. Anyone know anything about whether Endeavour 30s are any good or whether perhaps they are a slow dog not being designed by a known architect?
The 24s were quite popular in their day as JOG racers. I don't
mind the look of the 30, however, know nothing about them. Here's some leads:
sailboatdata.com/sailboat/endeavour-30-aus
There seems to be an owner's association.
www.endeavour.asn.au/
And articles...
www.mysailing.com.au/cruising/what-worked-and-what-did-not
Although I don't have a fishermans, I left the hook on my bow
I would be tempted to call it a cathead, to befuzzle your enquirers with big words.
Thanks for all the info people's. Really want a non bolt-on keel with boats of this age as bolts can be a real liability. Don't want a sandwich construction hull either. It really is unbelievably hard to find something good which won't require a lot of work. The Phantom 32 was interesting but the guy can't substantiate the rigging having been done in 2016 and furthermore he has broken his leg and won't show it to anybody for a month because he said it has bird crap all over it. Asked him 3 weeks ago for photos of the interior but still none and now he has a broken leg.
Pretty wary after being blatently lied to by a (currently in France) Scarborough Qld Mottle 33 owner about 2YO rigging that turns out to be over 9YO. Getting nowhere fast :-(.
BTW anyone know anything about whether Endeavour 30s are any good or whether perhaps they are a slow dog not being designed by a known architect?
In the encapsulated keel line up the Swanson 36's and the Carmin 31 and the 32 are other considerations. Finding a boat for sale with relatively new rigging is going to be difficult. Are the sellers going to have receipts showing the date? The insurance companies and riggers are the people driving this madness. What is best, 11-year-old Australian stainless steel or 5 years old Chinese? When the buyer of Ramona was having a survey done for insurance purposes the shipwright was saying the companies are trying to make the new age limit for standing rigging 5 years! Tell that is not a scam!
Nice Swanson 36, just needs the air brake on the stern removed.
yachthub.com/list/yachts-for-sale/used/sail-monohulls/swanson-36/242026
Thanks for all the info people's. Really want a non bolt-on keel with boats of this age as bolts can be a real liability. Don't want a sandwich construction hull either. It really is unbelievably hard to find something good which won't require a lot of work. The Phantom 32 was interesting but the guy can't substantiate the rigging having been done in 2016 and furthermore he has broken his leg and won't show it to anybody for a month because he said it has bird crap all over it. Asked him 3 weeks ago for photos of the interior but still none and now he has a broken leg.
Pretty wary after being blatently lied to by a (currently in France) Scarborough Qld Mottle 33 owner about 2YO rigging that turns out to be over 9YO. Getting nowhere fast :-(.
BTW anyone know anything about whether Endeavour 30s are any good or whether perhaps they are a slow dog not being designed by a known architect?
In the encapsulated keel line up the Swanson 36's and the Carmin 31 and the 32 are other considerations. Finding a boat for sale with relatively new rigging is going to be difficult. Are the sellers going to have receipts showing the date? The insurance companies and riggers are the people driving this madness. What is best, 11-year-old Australian stainless steel or 5 years old Chinese? When the buyer of Ramona was having a survey done for insurance purposes the shipwright was saying the companies are trying to make the new age limit for standing rigging 5 years! Tell that is not a scam!
Nice Swanson 36, just needs the air brake on the stern removed.
yachthub.com/list/yachts-for-sale/used/sail-monohulls/swanson-36/242026
Thanks; Interesting (and nice) guy with that Swanson 36 . Took the deck off in 2009-12 and completely redid new deck himself. Major undertaking-cranes etc and he is not even a tradie- first yacht too! 3 layers six ply marine bonded- no screws this time- with 2 layers of bi directional and West epoxy over. Original had screws through ply which eventually destroyed it. Just goes to show that you have to be very careful of builder when moulds are rented out to DIYs or even sequence through various boatbuilders. All Swansons are not equal and same with many designs and unfortunately after passage of so many years its often hard to determine original builder. Sounds like he did it right though but not sure the boat is for me (original sails, original motor, unknown very? pre 2009 rigging, small cockpit). Deck stepped mast which surprised me.
Pretty wary after being blatently lied to by a (currently in France) Scarborough Qld Mottle 33 owner about 2YO rigging that turns out to be over 9YO. Getting nowhere fast :-(.
Julian
That is pretty harsh slandering a guy who is not here to defend himself. As I said to you on the phone, I think the owner is ambivalent about selling and he is sending mixed messages about the condition and what gear goes with the boat. Call me naive, but I sincerely don't believe he is maliciously lying to you.
On the other hand, your very deliberate reference to a Mottle 33 owner in Scarborough, Queensland IS malicious. It would be very easy for a reader to miss your "currently in France" identifier and speculate over which Mottle owner might be this lying a...hole you accuse them of being. On behalf of myself and the, at least 3 other owners in the area, I take umbrage at this very public pillorying of character.
If you are to successfully acquire a suitable boat, may I suggest you become more realistic about your lengthy list of needs compared to the amount of money you are willing to pay. There's no such thing as a free lunch.
It's a fair point wavesong...expectations of things being perfect on a 30-40 year old boat should be at a reasonable level. Anything this age is going to need a few things done unless it's just been done and then you are going to pay for it.
Cheap boats are a misconception.
Have you got a decent budget for upgrades Jules or are you looking for everything to be done?
Thanks for all the info people's. Really want a non bolt-on keel with boats of this age as bolts can be a real liability. Don't want a sandwich construction hull either. It really is unbelievably hard to find something good which won't require a lot of work. The Phantom 32 was interesting but the guy can't substantiate the rigging having been done in 2016 and furthermore he has broken his leg and won't show it to anybody for a month because he said it has bird crap all over it. Asked him 3 weeks ago for photos of the interior but still none and now he has a broken leg.
Pretty wary after being blatently lied to by a (currently in France) Scarborough Qld Mottle 33 owner about 2YO rigging that turns out to be over 9YO. Getting nowhere fast :-(.
BTW anyone know anything about whether Endeavour 30s are any good or whether perhaps they are a slow dog not being designed by a known architect?
Wouldn't classify an Endeavour 30 as a slow dog. Good article on one here;
www.mysailing.com.au/cruising/what-worked-and-what-did-not
This one looks good
yachthub.com/list/yachts-for-sale/used/sail-monohulls/endeavour-30-mark-ii/248378
Assume you've seen these links;
www.endeavour.asn.au/assets/spec30.pdf
sailboatdata.com/sailboat/endeavour-30-aus
30 of them built.
See prior comments here;
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Sailing/General/Endeavour-30?page=1
1972 design by Graham Tilley - they held their own in the 1/2ton fleets of that time till the Farr and Whiting lightweights came along and caused havoc.
See page 14 of this where the 1/2 ton Dec 1972 titles are mentioned - I remember watching some of the races and whilst don't have the results the E30 finished around mid-fleet if I recall right.
archive.cyca.com.au/media/3437932/offshore-deember-1972.pdf
It's a fair point wavesong...expectations of things being perfect on a 30-40 year old boat should be at a reasonable level. Anything this age is going to need a few things done unless it's just been done and then you are going to pay for it.
Cheap boats are a misconception.
Have you got a decent budget for upgrades Jules or are you looking for everything to be done?
I am very conscious that you'll never get anywhere near your money back for any upgrades that you make so I'm trying to find a boat with as many upgrades done in the recent past as possible. With 40 year old + boats upgrades to a well maintained boat should have been done at least one or two times. No I don't really have a budget either for the purchase or post purchase upgrades but I do want to make sure that I'm getting value for money and that if I turned around and resold the boat I wouldn't lose that much.