LIKE many of the boats that will appear in this year's Lake Macquarie Classic Boatfest, the owner of this wooden craft once faced a turning point - send it to the scrap heap or restore it to its former glory.
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This wooden putt-putt was launched in 1931 by Bill Fisher of Putney, on the Parramatta River.
Mr Fisher's timber row boats and engine-powered craft were purchased by boat sheds all along the NSW waterfront.
Since its launch, the putt-putt has passed through the hands of four owners before reaching Rathmines resident Wal McCadames.
He bought the putt-putt, named the MV Fisher, in 2006.
Soon after he bought it, Mr McCadames was left with two choices - rebuild or chainsaw the worm-eaten hull.
He decided to rebuild.
The task involved placing ten new planks from the garboard up, with five on each side.
A new deck was added, as was a new twin engine.
The original seats and rudder were kept.
Since its restoration, the MV Fisher has appeared at many regattas, travelling as far north as Tweed Heads and to Narooma in the south.
The MV Fisher will be one of many boats on display as part of this year's Lake Macquarie Classic Boatfest.
The festival will be held on Saturday, April 7 and Sunday, April 8.
Go to classicboatfest.com.au for a full program of events.
