Champion- The Boat

Champion is a traditionally rigged gaff rigged motor ketch, licensed to carry 12 passengers in comfort under sail or power and has been operating cruises out of Rockingham since 1995. The boat was previously the Geraldton Pilot boat and is very stable having a displacement of 15 tons.

We are fully equipped with all safety equipment, comfortable under canopy seating and a cosy saloon below decks.  There is a toilet on board and facilities for preparing meals, tea and coffee etc.

We have a selection of sea shanties and soft romantic music, which is just perfect on evening sunset cruises.

We prefer to cruise under sail, taking advantage of the winds and giving our passengers a feel for what it must have been like for the early settlers arriving at Garden Island from dear old Blighty in 1829.  

The iron mainsail –our powerful six cylinder diesel motor, however, is always ready should the winds die or become contrary!

WARNING!!!

If you are looking for a fast, crowded, up- market, state of the art, gin barge - then this boat cruise is not for you.

If you are interested in maritime tradition, old values and an escape from the everyday stressful existence that some folks call life- then this cruise is definitely for you- and the dolphins are free!

Champion-The History

The gaff rigged ketch ‘Champion’ was one of the last wooden trading vessels to be built in Western Australia, launched in 1965 by the Harbour and Lights dept., at Mews road Fremantle. She was one of 4 vessels built for the pilot service of Western Australia, stationed in Geraldton W.A. until 1989.

Originally a motor vessel, the hull was constructed by master shipwrights to USL codes of Jarrah plank over laminated Karri frames on a Wandoo Keel with copper and monel fastenings and cotton seams.

Trees in Kings Park and Yanchep national Park were carefully selected for the building of all four vessels in the early ‘60’s.

The trees were felled and timber seasoned for 3 years in the Harbour and lights yard in Fremantle.

Decks are marine Ply overlaid with fibreglass and the Wheelhouse Oregon pine frame and marine ply panels.

The Original Engine was an air-cooled Lister two stroke but that has since been replaced with a Perkins 6 cylinder diesel, which throws a 22” propeller giving a comfortable 8½ knots under power.

I bought her in 1989 and carried out substantial refit and modifications over three years which included provision of 3 water tight bulkheads, re arrangement of fuel tanks, provision of new water tanks, raising of decks forward of wheelhouse and fitting out of main saloon galley and head down below to give 1.9 m headroom. The wheelhouse was re-arranged with a chart table.

 During this time I converted her  to sail as a gaff rigged Ketch with Oregon masts sheoak blocks, deadeyes and belaying pins. The centre of effort was carefully calculated in order to position the main mast and the boat can now sail upwind within 60 degrees. In order to put Champion back into passenger survey the classification was changed to sailing vessel.  This involved addition of ballast and a new stability test.

Principal dimensions are as follows

Length-36 ft

Beam-11ft 6 ins

Draught-1.35m