The Couta Boat - Return of a Classic

The story of the historic resurgence of the Couta Boat, a fishing boat from south-eastern Victoria utilised for catching the popular barracouta from the turn of the century through to the post-war era. The boats would head out before dawn to fish along the Bass Strait coastline, and race back to port. Those first home would secure the best position on the jetty and fetch the highest price for their catch. A fleet of Couta Boats race from Sorrento Sailing Couta Boat club today, and there can be as many as 100 boats on the water during the summer months. The Couta Boat has fundamentally shifted the way boating is done on the southern end of the Mornington Peninsula. This is the story of how they came to be, and is a tale of sustainability, seafaring, craftsmanship and enduring passion.
woodenboatshop...

[@ralsharp6013]

Wow, great stories thanks! Our Dad took us kids out in his couta boat during the 70's & 80's. Loved every minute of it. Such a sturdy vessel. Huon pine is incredible wood! My father started to build a couta boat during the tate 70's, it was beyond him & he sold it half way through the project.. well done to you! 🐠⚓️💧

[@returnofthenative]

I remember seeing one on its mooring at St. Kilda on a trip to Melbourne in 1985. Great doco btw. Tks. W.A.

[@brucewymond5138]

Memories - I spent many hours playing in derelict coota boats with other kids (pretending to be pirates) in an old shed at the back of our block, across the road from Hutchies Jetty. It was back in the late 1960’s / early 1970’s. Who’d have believed these boats would be turned back to life thanks to the efforts of Marcus, Tim and others in re-creating a living history on the bay.

[@Pete-z6e]

Fantastic , interesting, well done.

[@woodenboatshop]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@alexanderbchoek9607]

Brings back memories great to see. this boat come back to live a true classic

[@woodenboatshop]

Couldn't agree more!

[@romandybala]

Hmmmmm. Such a wonderful docco and so few views.

[@davidwolff1789]

The Course Boat is a weapon but very classic. I remember sailing one and J24s were match racing and I blew them off the water.

[@woodenboatshop]

Completely agree!

[@fabmanly1070]

Brilliant

[@Digiphex]

Pushed it in the water with the paint still wet. Ha ha ha.

[@tomtom6319]

I want one with an ice maker and a barbecue.

[@ΝΙΚΟΣΒΟΓΙΑΤΖΑΚΗΣ]

I don't care what he says those are aegen style boat which are still build for 3000 years