About Andala – my first boat

The bottom of my Eve 16 Hull was stripped and then glue lapstrake ply on the sides.

Andala is a 16ft sailing dingy designed by Mike Roberts of Headland Boats in Brisbane, Australia. It is his Eve 16 design (short for Evolution) of glued lapstrake construction based on his stitch and glue designed Green Island 15. I did not build this Eve 16 but acquired it late in 2010 prior to moving house from Brisbane to Melbourne. To my knowledge, and mostly based on information provided by Ross Lillistone (of Bayside Wooden Boats, http://www.baysidewoodenboats.com.au ) and Mike Roberts (Headland Boats), my Eve 16 is only one of three built and is the only one with a strip built bottom.

Only the bottom of the hull was glassed

The Eve 16 hull completed by Ross Lillistone at Bayside Wooden Boats

The unique history doesn’t end there. Ross Lillistone built the hull in about 2006 and the first owner finished off the rest. Ross also thinks he built the birdsmouth mast which I expect he did given the quality of it. The boat eventually ended up being used as a mock up of a life boat in the 2008 film Nim’s Island starring Jody Foster and Gerard Butler (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0410377/). Jodie Foster rowed the boat in the film and it was eventually holed and sunk in the film (thankfully the real hull wasn’t holed and the boat wasn’t sunk). After the film the boat was sold to an electrician working at Movie World on the Gold Coast, Australia, with the intent of fixing it up and using it for his own purposes. Unfortunately for the electrician he never did get around to finishing the boat and it sat on it’s trailer in his garage for a number of years until I found it for sale on Trading Post.

My Eve 16 as a lifeboat in Nim’s Island

Top view of Jodie Foster in the Eve 16. Seats have been added crossways along with four lift points so that it can be raised and lowered alongside the larger ship.

Jodie Foster rows the boat into the eye of the storm.

The original owners Eve 16 ready for launching

My Eve 16 being sailed in Manly Harbour Brisbane by her original owner

Ross Lillistone and family sailing a Green Island 15

The Eve 16 didn’t look in great condition when I first saw it but that was mostly due to the Nim’s Island prop crew who tried to make the boat look like an old beaten up life boat. By researching the boat on Ross’s blog I quickly realised I had a bargain on my hands and secured it.

Preparing for the first sail

Thanks to Brian, Nick and Mac from the Wooden Boat Centre is Melbourne I was able to refurbish the boat to a decent standard, renamed her Andala (Andrew & Alana) and now regularly sail the boat out of Black Rock on Port Phillip Bay. Ross Lillistone and Mike Roberts were also extremely helpful and forthcoming in their efforts to help me resture the boat they had both had a place in creating in the first place (thanks Ross and Mike, I really appreciate the help!) I also hired Ross in the building of the missing spar and boom which came out beautifully. The handling of the boat is fantastic! I couldn’t have asked for a more versatile boat. Having not sailed since I was about 14 for a season on the Brisbane River in 125’s (http://www.125assoc.com), I was initially a little out of my depth but quickly adapted as my other half and I dodged the Spirit of Tasmania ferry and other large ships on our maiden sail out of the mouth of the Yarra River. The sail is a gunter rig which initially added more complexity but is really handy for when stowing the mast and spars.

On the dock ready to go

Alana at the helm on Port Phillip Bay

The boat sails  great. I can’t express enough how easy and yet fun it is to sail. It’s perfect for taking the nephew out in (he slept under the foredeck likes he’s never slept before), and has capacity of 5 adults, although 2-3 is more fun. I can single hand the boat very easily and whilst I’ve shipped a little bit of water over a side rail when sharing the main sheet and tiller duties with a mate as we tried to pour a beer in gusting and choppy conditions, I would say it’s definitely an exception and we hadn’t filled the water ballast tanks which make a big difference as the boat heels. We certainly weren’t concerned, but then maybe that was the beer, which was unfortunately spilt.

Stopped for beer and fish and chips at the Sandy

Alana and the flag she gave me for Christmas

I’ve made a number of modifications to the boat including increasing the stowage compartments of which there are plenty. I’ve also added a couple of fishing rod holders at the back which will shock the purists and does change the smooth appearance of the rear deck. But my Eve 16 is meant to be used. She doesn’t have much bright work and the paint is functional and does not belong in any art gallery I know of. I’ll probably fill in a couple of the rod holders once I get around to it but in the mean time their handy for how I mount the video camera and of course my fishing. Now that my sailing skills are of a suitable standard the next step will be a camp cruise with mates. As a camp cruiser I expect she will be extremely good fun.

Interior looking forward

Finished interior

Please feel free to ask questions about this boat,

Andrew

Update as of 19 Sep 2013: I have recently sold Andala to Brian of Noosa, QLD. It was a regrettable sale but I’m confident she is going to a good owner. My reasons for selling were due to the lack of use I was getting from Andala on Port Phillip Bay, and because I am already moving on to my next project – the scherzo sailing canoe. Brian has promised to send me some photos of Andala in her new warmer climate. I wish all the best to Brian and his family and hope they get a lot of use out of this unique boat in the years to come.

Andrew