But the usual fleet swelled in numbers as part of Boatfest, a two-day celebration of music, mariners and everything floating their boat.

For the second day of the event, the biggest attraction was the ‘‘Quick ’n Dirty’’ boat-building competition,  in which  three teams of shrewd seafarers built boats with plywood, glue and hand-tools then raced them around a circuit as they were cheered by the crowd.

Just two of the craft made it back to land, one being lost to the shallow water in a great tradition of the race from years past. 

Awards included race winner, best-decorated boat,  best-built boat, and the ‘Titanic’ award for the boat that sank.

Boatfest co-ordinator Nicole Charlesworth said more than 5000 people including mostly young families enjoyed an Easter egg hunt, live music, classic cars, dozens of classic boats, and an afternoon sail-past sent off by the City of Maitland Pipes and Drums band with ‘‘lovely sunshine and lots of people’’.