Planning for the 2019 Davistown Putt Putt Regatta & Wooden Boat Festival is proceeding at pace. With 5 months to go to 20th October there are still a myriad of items to be finalised to make this the best Regatta ever. The Committee have divided responsibilities covering items from line marking, hiring of portaloos, arranging for rubbish removal, confirming entertainment, planning for a huge variety of boats, co-ordinating the market activities through to liaising with the Central Coast Council, Roads and Maritime Services and all of our generous sponsors.
This year we are looking to focus the event into 4 specific precincts – Children’s Amusements, General Markets, Premium Food and Marine. We are most excited about the Marine Precinct which will bring together all of the Boating and Boating related service areas from Norglass (speciality paints and surface coatings) to Sub-Aqua Services (Hull cleaning and servicing). This area will also incorporate our historic car displays, vintage farm machinery, Buckle Sports cars and many others.
Along with the traditional Putt Putt’s, we will also be highlighting the Wooden Boat part of our charter with the appearance once again of a number of boats from the Sydney Heritage Fleet (remember the Protex from 2018) and a series of other historic timber boats (more about these later). There will be opportunities to take a ride on these fantastic old vessels. Central Coast Ferrys will again be present with the venerable old Codock II.
Watch this space for details as they develop over the next few months and put the weekend of 18th (Regatta Charity Dinner), 19th (special event – more to follow) and the 20th (Regatta) October in your calendars.
I recently had the pleasure of cruising (putting) the pristine waters around Foster and Tuncurry in some beautifully built Putt Putt’s. The workmanship on the boats and the pride shown by their owners is to be seen to be believed. The boats were from as far afield as Brisbane, Lismore, Lake Macquarie and Davistown and most of them will be making an appearance at the Regatta in October. So if you haven’t already done so, save the date of Sunday 20 October to come and see some of these magnificent craft.
Planning and Management of the Davistown Putt Putt Regatta includes a myriad of details to be planned and executed to ensure the safety of the very precious (and sometimes fragile) boats that enter the event. Not the least of these is the work done just prior to the day where our intrepid Rockhoppers contribute their time to ensure that the areas of rocks and old ballast along the shoreline are prominently marked to show the boat skippers where dangers may exist that could damage their craft. In previous years the job was ably managed by Mr Geoff Furniss who in 2017 handed the baton on to Stephen Hill and David Roach.
So in the days leading up to the event this year if you see two strangely dressed individuals placing warning signs along the waterfront give them a round of applause and if you watch for long enough one or both of them may end up in the water.
Timber 1/2 cabin ex work boat. Currently on a mooring in Saratoga. No longer used by the owner. Needs some work but free to a good home. Contact Anthony on 0424 064569.
16’6″ putt putt built 1910 Clinker hull made of Huon pine. 5/7 hp Blaxland Rae engine in good working order. Trailer in good condition. Previous owner was the late Orb Rose well know small inboard engine restorer of Gymea Sydney. Regrettable sale due to ill health.
The 2018 Davistown Putt Putt Weekend started on a high note with the running of the 2nd Charity Dinner. A great night was had by approximately 130 people who enjoyed music and dancing provided by Kristy Coote and her Band and Jamus the Mad Magician who entertained at and around the tables. A great meal was provided by the Davistown RSL and collectively the crowd raised approximately $7,000 to be donated to the Kids with Cancer Foundation Australia – a very worthy cause and a great result. The evening benefited greatly from the generous sponsorship of Ray White Saratoga, AC Fitness and the Dart & Feather Restaurant. We also sincerely thank the many local organisations that generously donated prizes and gifts for the raffles, auctions and balloon lucky dips which enabled us to raise such a great amount.
Saturday got off to a good start with the finalisation of layouts and erection of the stage, marquee and pop-up’s on the reserve and it appeared that Mother Nature was going to be a supporter. Saturday afternoon saw a number of Putt Putt’s enjoy a casual Putt About led by the Sydney Heritage boat – Protex. The attendees were then provided with light snacks and drinks at the Davistown Progress Hall. A very enjoyable afternoon was had and a final inspection of the Reserve had us well prepared for a great day on Sunday.
Alas, when Sunday morning came around we found that a deluge in the early hours had rendered the Illoura Reserve unusable. After some perseverance it was decided that the event would have to be cancelled – a very tough decision after 10 months of planning and preparation. To continue would have caused considerable damage to the Reserve and jeopardised the approval of future events. While there were some breakdowns in communications regarding the cancellation, the general feedback from the general public, boat owners and stallholders has been positive and the Committee trusts that you will all join us again for the 2019 Regatta where we will again try to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of this great event.
We also take this opportunity to sincerely thank all of our sponsors for their ongoing support both financial and in kind.
After a short break, planning for 2019 will commence.
Only 37 sleeps to the Davistown Putt Putt Regatta & Wooden Boat Festival
Why not eliminate any parking worries and ride the Ferry. Central Coast Ferries has been a long time supporter of the Regatta and this year is no different. The MV Sorrento will be providing services throughout the day.
Times departing Woy Woy to the Regatta 9:30am, 10:45am, 12:30pm, 2:00pm, 3:45pm and 4:45pm. Fares are $4 one way and $8 return concession + children 5-16, $7.50 one way and $14 adult. Fares are Woy Woy to Davistown (Central).
Times departing Empire Bay to the Regatta 9:00am, 10:00am, 11:20am, 1:20pm, 2:30pm and 4:15pm. Fares are $3 one way and $6 return concession + children 5-16, $4 one way and $8 return adult. Fares are Empire to Davistown (central) only.
Catch the train or bus to Woy Woy, short walk to Woy Woy public wharf where you can catch the ferry “M.V Sorrento” to the iconic Davistown Putt Putt and Wooden Boat Festival. No need to drive, no fuss, no parking, just jump aboard the ferry!
To help us celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Regatta we will be joined this year by a number of boats from the Sydney Heritage Fleet. Joining our own Codock II will be the Protex, a doyen of the fleet, along with the Banksia, the Girrakool and the Macleay. It is intended that these boats will be available for cruises (details to follow later) around Brisbane Water during and after the Regatta. All of the Heritage Fleet will perform a “sail past” on the morning of the Regatta and the Protex will lead the fleet for the Grand Parade. The Protex has a long and varied history including time spent on the Central Coast.
Originally named Waikara, a New Zealand Maori name for ‘smooth water’, she was purchased in 1934 by the Sydney ferry and tug company, Nicholson Bros. In line with their usual policy of naming their craft using words beginning with ‘Pro’ she was called Protex after a popular brand of soap. No wonder she was often called the ‘soap boat’. It was fitting that her duties included ferrying goods and people from the Palmolive factory at Balmain to various city wharves.
Protex nearly ended her life in 1952 when she collided off Balmain East with her sister ferry, Provide. She suffered serious damage and sank. But it was decided to salvage her and extensive repairs were necessary before she could return to service. The repaired Protex continued her service on the harbour and in 1968 passed into the ownership of Stannard Bros., another ferry and tug company, when they took over Nicholson Bros.
In 1970, at the age of 60-plus, Protex took on a new life when she was leased to Mr Terry Hodgson who used her as a ferry operating out of Woy Woy and Toukley, and later between Brooklyn and Dangar Island on the Hawkesbury River.
Protex joined the Sydney Heritage Fleet in 1981, presented by Mr Chris Stannard of Stannard Bros. She has been faithfully restored, is still in regular use with the Fleet and can carry up to 20 people
Looking back through photos of previous Regattas I am reminded that this is not just about the iconic Putt Putt’s but it is also a celebration of wooden boats of all types. Previously we have been joined on the day by a number of different wooden boats – both on the shore and on the water. The Committee wants to encourage owners of all sorts of wooden boats to join with the Putt Putts and other heritage boats to make this 20th Anniversary event a day to remember. Enter the “Wooden Boat – non-Putt Putt” judging category, pickup a Skipper’s Pack and go in the draw for a $150 Gift Voucher. Application Forms are available by sending an email to puttputt.regatta@gmail.com or by using the Contact Us facility on this website.
Please come and join us for a great day and help us maintain this great community event.
I recently had the pleasure of cruising (putting) the pristine waters around Foster and Tuncurry in some beautifully built Putt Putt’s. The workmanship on the boats and the pride shown by their owners is to be seen to be believed. The boats were from as far afield as Brisbane, Lismore, Lake Macquarie and Davistown and […]
Planning and Management of the Davistown Putt Putt Regatta includes a myriad of details to be planned and executed to ensure the safety of the very precious (and sometimes fragile) boats that enter the event. Not the least of these is the work done just prior to the day where our intrepid Rockhoppers contribute their […]
Renovated timber boat, clinker built, 20HP Yanmar diesel 6 metres (20 feet) long, 2.5 metre (8 foot) beam. Trailer not included, currently moored at Berowra Waters. Must sell as owner is moving. $7,000 ono Contact Greg Brown on 0418 234 247
16’6″ putt putt built 1910 Clinker hull made of Huon pine. 5/7 hp Blaxland Rae engine in good working order. Trailer in good condition. Previous owner was the late Orb Rose well know small inboard engine restorer of Gymea Sydney. Regrettable sale due to ill health. Greg Pike 0450238260, Macleay Island Queensland $8,500
