About Us
Jim and Virginia Paterson formed a small family business to buy and operate cruise boats on Lake Burley Griffin. The aim is to provide a service that we saw a need for and to provide us with a change of lifestyle.
We purchased the Steam Launch Jenny, in September 2002. Jenny had
operated as a steam powered tourist launch on Lake Burley Griffin from April
1998 and In April 2002 the Jenny ceased regular service and was laid up prior
to the removal of her steam plant.
The Jenny was built using strip plank construction sheathed in glass fibre,
inside and out, embedded in epoxy to a Selway Fisher Edwardian 26 design.
The beam was specially modified to improve the passenger capacity. She was
fitted with a Strath Steam Boiler and engine prior to final commissioning.
Following an extensive rebuild; with the assistance of Garnett Znidaric,
and conversion to the whisper quiet serenity of electric propulsion, using
a Lynch motor operating at 36 volts. Cygnet commenced service in January
2003. The Lynch motor was chosen because of their proven commercial service
record in EMV Rubeena and the Wagonga Princess. A Lynch motor was also the
choice of Charles Fitzhardinge for the Gehii, which successfully completed
a 70kms crossing of Spencers Gulf in April 2003.
In November 2005 Jim and Virginia took delivery of a retired water taxi from
Sydney harbour. They undertook an extended period of rebuilding once again
with the involvement of Garnett Znidaric who has now achieved his coxswains
ticket and is a regular skipper on both boats. The rebuild included the installation
of two new Yamaha 100Hp four cycle outboard motors. The motors were chosen
in keeping with Lake Burley Griffin Cruises responsible approach to the environment.
The lengthy nature of the rebuild meant that the boat, to be named Darter,
didn’t enter service on the lake until September 2006. Just in time to commence
a new service in conjunction with the annual Floriade Festival.
The two vessels allow us to provide a more comprehensive range of services
for those who wish to enjoy the Lake Burley Griffin.
We invite you to experience the services that we are able to offer from our
regular scheduled cruises to the private of the vessel that suits the celebration
you have in mind.
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Contact Jim or Virginia to discuss you ideas.