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The Boats — 14 Comments

  1. Hi,

    I have just bought “Nereid” a 45ft Peter Bracken Cruiser, she has had a survey and came up trumps not bad for a 1975 boat, she is still in remarkable condition and powered by original 2 x 3208 210hp Cats, she is a testimony to her two previous owners and her builder.

  2. Does anyone have history of “Stephanie” 24′ fitted with V8 Chevey petrol donk
    Any minor info OK
    Peter Osbourne

  3. Hi,

    I’m trying to track the origins of my boat – Tahiti – which I’m told might be a Bracken 31.

    We know nothing about her – probably not even her original name (which doesn’t help) – except for the fact that the engine parts seem to date around the mid 60’s!

    Happy to send pics to anyone who is knowledgable in this area?

    James (james@redhammer.com.au)

    • Thanks James,
      Tahiti is a nice looking craft. Assuming that the superstructure is still original I don’t think she was built by Peter Bracken as the style is quite different to his.
      I will send the photos to him and get his opinion and then get back to you. Do you have any interior shots?

  4. Hi peter,
    Not sure if this will find you but i am ‘shopping’ about for my first real powered cruiser (in the SE QLD area) and have just inspected a 38 foot version called Time & Tide. It was supposedly originally called Tennessee II that you built for Bob & Dolly Dyer. After looking at similar (but a lot newer) boats in fiberglass, this one is a real beauty. My background is racing sailing boats (both yachts in Sydney many years ago and now off the beach cats) so this is all a bit new to me but i have always loved boats and the water (although like you I grew up in Inverell many miles from the coast). One of my best mates is also the owner of the Rosman ferries and i know he really appreciates their history and quality. Not sure if you have any information about “Time & Tide” but just weighing up if its suitable for my wife and I !!

    • Time and Tide is definitely Bracken built but the story about it being built for the Dyers is incorrect. They may have gone fishing on her at one time but she was not built for them. Tennessee II was built by another builder.

      • Andrew—-Thanks for your enquiry Michael established the site and looks after it—–he has done a fantastic job and I am most indebted to him .As I have told Mike that I never built a boat for Bob and Dolly it would be more likely Halvorsens as they were the top builders in those times—I am sure Time and Tide is a fine vessel one that I would gladly claim as one of mine but unfortunately I am unable to do so .
        Boats change owners and names over time perhaps this has occurred on this occasion but I am not able to recall if this has happened—-commercial boats seem to retain their original launching name as is the case with the Rosman ferries
        Again many thanks and safe and enjoyable boating
        Peter Bracken

      • Andrew—–I think she is one of mine after all—- the profile shot showing a trade mark of mine is clearly visible ( the triangular window — the bow rail– the vent location– the rear landing platform– and particularly the underwater gear– the rudders were a standard casting of George Whiteman and son of Marrickville N.S.W.—-the cabin has been extended having no flybridge– she would be one of the earlier game boats that we built possibly in the late sixtys or early seventies
        It really is so satisfying to me to see these boats surviving and emerging in the market today –a credit to the owners who restore them to their original condition —-sadly they are from an era when craftsmanship was the utmost concern of all the tradesmen involved and has become a casualty to the high cost of labour in the workplace today—–if possible I would like to see some photos of the internal arrangement also engine room
        many thanks
        PETER

  5. Hi, Firstly love your site!! My Uncle is trying to determine if his boat build is actually a Bracken, hes owned CHANTAL for some years and I know the history has always been a little mystery with the little background he had when he purchased many years ago. Believe its build circa 1975 with full Oregon shiplap timber construction – do you have an email I can send some pictures to and would this be something you could help with considering all your wonderful detail you have been able to research and collect via your site? Many thanks in advance!

    • Dan,
      I’ll email you privately to follow up. 1975 is getting towards the end of Peter’s boat building days. The name CHANTAL does not come up in any of the records I have but it could have been renamed.
      Sadly Peter threw out all of his records when he stopped building boats so it’s been a bit of a slog filling in the gaps.

  6. Kirk
    She is definitely a Bracken but unless you have a lot of money or lots of time she is worth avoiding. She has been on the market for several years.
    Peter built quite a few game fishing boats of this same design and it is impossible to tell which one this is.
    Mike

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