THE Mordialloc Sailing Club’s St Ayles Skiff will set off on a long voyage this week.
The club’s six metre skiff, inspired by the traditional Scottish Fair Isle skiff, took members a year to build. In 2022 the boat’s crew rowed from Mordialloc down to Portsea with a Coast Guard escort, travelling 110 kilometres over 7 days. On Tuesday 27 February the skiff was scheduled to set off from Port of Sale, and is set to land in Lakes Entrance on 1 March.
Six skiffs, with 40 crew between them, were expected to set sail on Tuesday. Each boat weighs around 200 kilograms, and is rowed by a crew of four with traditional sweep oars.
The four day journey is part of the annual Steamers Run. On 2 and 3 March the skiff will feature at The Paynesville Classic Boat Rally.
The skiff is available for community events. Contact the club at msc@mordiallocsc.com.au or 0467 229 116.
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 28 February 2024