Known as “Charles Abel’s Memorial Piner Punt and Cray Pot Pulling Race".
Teepookana crew, Matt Conboy secures the pot in the punt to win the race. Credit: Jo Dixon
Background
This race is based on the practice of West Coast Piners who regularly used their Piner Punts to crayfish off Edwards on the West Coast and other west coast locations. In essence it is a re-enactment of Charles Abel's practice in his later years and that of other Piners. This practice has been verified in Richard Flanagan’s book “A Terrible Beauty”. The practice has also been recently verified by Don Grining. Don’s family built all of Charles Abel's Punts and were well known to the Grining family.
Convened by Peter Higgs and David Kesson of the Wooden Boat Guild of Tasmania (WBGT), the inaugural Piner Punt and Fazackerley Race debuted at the 2023 Australian Wooden Boat Festival and returned in 2025, blending history, craftsmanship, and competition into an unforgettable spectacle.
Join the AWBF 2027 Piner Punt & Fazackerley Race!
Details
When: Sunday 7th February at 9:00 am, riverside of Kings Pier attenuator
Arrival: Boats must be ready at the start line by 8:40 AM.
Crew: Two members per boat.
Bait: To comply there will be no baits used in the pots. It is purely a race to haul cray pots.
Entry: Free via AWBF registration page. Click on the button below to register.
Registration requirements: All boats must have submitted and been accepted for the Boats Afloat program with the Australian Wooden Boat Festival.
Registration for the race closes January 24, 2027. Following registration, WBGT’s Peter Higgs will be in contact via email within 1-3 days.
For further information or queries please contact the Wooden Boat Guild of Tasmania here.
This is a test of skill and endurance—don’t miss this thrilling celebration of Tasmanian maritime heritage!
Karen and Kerry Watson with their cray pot in Freddie B. Credit: Jo Dixon.