Friday, August 25 saw the Koondrook Barham bridge lifted for paddleboat Temeraire.
Toby Henson, famed for restoring the Pyap at Swan Hill, was joined by fellow skipper, Frank Tucker, in delivering the boat from Murray Downs to Moama.
The 18 years young vessel has resided at Murray Downs since the hull was built in Mildura and completion of the paddleboat taking place in the Murray Downs Marina.
The Nissan diesel powered boat was averaging 6km/hr against the strong current, but is capable of 10km/hr. The addition of a bow thruster has made manoeuvring the Temeraire less stressful than just relying on the rudder.
“When I’m backing through a bridge or backing out of the marina, I just set the rudder straight behind me, and just use the thruster,” said Skipper Henson.
The boat will now reside closer to the owner’s home of Melbourne, and will undergo some restoration of the weathered decking and timber work.
This article appeared in The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper, 31 August 2023.
