15' Melbourne Beach Fishing Boat (1898) - LARRIGAI

Built in 1898 “Larrigai” is an original small rowed fishing boat built on the beach during the late 1890’s Depression years in Australia. It is of a type built by out of work men of Melbourne to fish the prolific shallow waters of Hobsons Bay at the North end of Port Philip to feed their families. Port Phillip is the large bay on which Melbourne, is located. The boat was fitted with an engine in 1931 and has been in continuous use.It was last refurbished in 2019. No new lapstrake planking was needed as King Billy pine is almost indestructible. The transom is also a single piece of King Billy. 18 Sister ribs were installed during restoration. The boat predates the formation of Australia as a country by two years! By the 1920’s all boats built of this type of fishery had a wine glass transom shape. The boat has been part of the Albert Park Yachting and Angling club since its inception in 1909. The club has 40 similar “Clinker Built”, or Lapstrake, boats in its beachside shed still fishing regularly. Most were built from the 1920’s to 1960’s.