Jannett

Designed as a shoal draft pleasure /fishing boat for the Noosa River. Very similar to the 23 ft mullet boats like "Stafford"

Traditional planked boat.

Oldest existing Norman R. Wright boat. Likely the first motorboat on the Noosa River.

Colonel David Elder Reid was the manager of the Gympie Scottish Gold Mine in the early 1900’s. His wife's name was Jannett.

Mr John (Jack) Parkyn purchased in 1931 for their fleet. (Parkyn Bros operated boat tours, hire and general river services pre and post war.)

The Jannett was later sold by the Parkyn family to Mr William Hooper on his retirement from being Head Teacher of Tewantin State School.

Later sold to local fishermen Alan Buchanan and Bernie Bowden.

Max Walker bought the boat in poor repair in 1952. Son Greg recalls:

"Major maintenance needed including new bottom planking, new deck, many new ribs, knees, floors, sole, copper sheething etc. Motor replaced with short lived Jowat Javalin car engine. Then 10-12 Simplex put in by Mark Horeton. Spoke to Howard Parkyn sometime in the 60s, counted a dozen or so engines between us. Original engine supposedly a 3.5hp direct drive diesel; had a seized Dodge straight 6 when Max bought it. Boat then used mainly as Walker family weekender in fresh water above Lake Cootharaba 50s and early 60s. Mark H main user later 60s. I took her to Bald Hills Ck behind our house in Brisbane mid 70s and undertook more wood work maintenance and re engined with 8hp Yanmar single cylinder diesel. Used on Moreton Bay for a few years then back to Noosa via a warranty check up at Wrights Bulimba.

Early 80s, I re engined again with new Yanmar twin diesel. Single Yanmar sent off to power a sheering shed that even it couldn't shake to bits. Engine problems finally sorted. More family holidays in the Upper Noosa River.

2010 about, another major overhaul, 2 years or so ashore, removed copper sheeting, dried out and epoxy sheeted right round hull. Some new woodwork to deck, new sole and engine box, new interior fit out, mast etc. Engine replaced with another of the same model twin Yanmar. Yet another lot of shaft etc engineering."

Currently owned by the Walker family.

Always lived on the Noosa River (except for short stint on Moreton Bay).