Introduction to the Tusk Log

Welcome Aboard
Tusk is my launch and this blog site is to record all boat trips from New Year 2011.
Tusk is a 9.4 metre Owen Woolley designed launch that I build between 2001 and 2004.
She was build in Ian Scobie's shed at Mauku and was the second to last vessel he completed in that shed.
Without Ian's skill and knowledge Tusk would not have come into being.Work started on Tusk in 2001 and she was launched in October 2004. She is constructed of wood, main hull is Lawson's Cypress  (Port Orford Cedar) with Marcrocapa topsides. the stem is Tanekaha laminated and there is a small amount of kauri in her. The decks are Meranti plywood. All exterior surfaces are covered in fibreglass.
The name, well I was told it should be short and I felt a vessel such as this should have its own anthem.
So it was named after Fleetwood Mac's classic song Tusk;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LR_goU4fJA8&feature=related

Tusk was built for diving and fishing for a maximum crew of 4. She is powered by a 175 hp Nanni conversion of a Toyota 1ZK- te diesel with a 2.4 : 1 ZF gearbox direct driving a 21 inch propeller. She carries almost a full keel to prevent prop damage. Fully loaded she weights 5.5 tonnes and has a top speed of 17 knots and cruises everywhere at between 9 to 10 knots.
She is based at Westhaven Marina Auckland from there her adventures start.

 Here is Tusk on John Ellwood's mooring in The Cove Great Mercury Island on 3rd January 2011.

Tusk up the creek from Smokehouse Bay, Fitzroy Harbour Great Barrier Island, in 2009. This shows the open transom for the divers. Note the boot top is to high at the stern and to low at the bow (builder's error).

Top deck view of Tusk coming alongside at Tiritiri Matangi in 2008. Tusk is fitted with Furuno Radar and Depthsounder, Navman GPS and plotter and a Raymarine Autopilot. This day she has the rubber ducky on the back platform.
The aim of this log is to document and share Tusk's trips, describe the great places we visit and the catches we make. Plus provide some fun and enjoyment for readers. So welcome aboard.