Year-long boat project completed in Bacchus Marsh

VINNIE VAN OORSCHOT

A 13-MONTH journey to complete the builds of two fly-fishing boats has reached its end in Bacchus Marsh, with the three men involved lauding the fruits of their labours.

Bacchus Marsh residents Tony Pollard and Michael Hopkins, as well as Werribee resident Anthony Annear, took on the project of building two 4.6-metre long clinker boats early last year.

Mr Annear, a joiner by trade, says he and the two others enjoyed undertaking the project out of Mr Pollard’s car garage.

“They’re a lapstrake design and a launch boat, with a function for fly-fishing,” Mr Annear said.

“You see they’re a good drift boat and I’ve made a few of these over my lifetime, and it was just a good project for all three of us to commit to.

“I’ve built about eight of these to date and it feels good to complete each one, given these boats are quite rare nowadays, but we’ve all been fly-fishers since we were teenagers in a lot of ways this project made sense.”

The method of boat-building the three men undertook is a technique originating all the way back to the Viking age, overlapping planks of wood to build the hull.

Each boat has also been fitted with a motor engine to give users full mobility while out on the water.

“We’re really happy with how they turned out, so we know it would benefit anyone interested in taking them off our hands,” Mr Annear said.

“These are really unique boats and it is truly hand-crafted. People always approach me at the boat ramp to talk about who built the boats.”

While the gentlemen are proud of their efforts, the boats are for sale and will take any enquiries for purchasing the vessels.

For anybody interested in reaching out to purchase either or both of the boats, they can contact Mr Annear at 0413 389 546.

The boat, trailer, and motor is currently listed at $5,000.