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Allan’s a model of consistency in the boating world

Whether you want to enjoy the calm, relaxing ambience of sailing on a lake, or race as fast as possible, or maybe spend some quality time with the kids, remote control boating could be the hobby for you.

Sitting on the edge of the lake on a Wednesday morning is where you will find Redbank Plains’ Allan Cantle.

He’ll be watching the sun shimmer on the water and birds flutter on the breeze. He’ll be listening to the buzzing sounds of one of his miniature boats zooming along.

Allan is a member of the Springfield Lakes Maritime Modellers who sail at Montello Circuit Park every Wednesday and Saturday.

Allan has been driving radio control boats since 2010.

“I’m an ex-truckie and many years ago I damaged my back,” he said.

“The hospital suggested I get a hobby.

“I was walking around the lake with my family when I saw some guys there with their model boats.

“I went down and had a natter with them and I thought I’d give it a try.

“I had tried model airplanes but I couldn’t look up all the time with my sore back. But with the boats, you are just looking at eye level.” 

While the club hosts all kinds of yachts and electric racing boats, Allan enjoys the scale models powered by electric and steam the most.

“I like the model boats because of the realism. I like watching them and how they move in the water. How they react and how the water moves alongside them. They are just like real boats motoring around.”

Allan not only skippers the boats but also spends time refurbishing them.

He says he does not have a favourite but the tug boat does get a special mention.

“I often use it to rescue other boats that might lose power or get tangled up in weed.

“It has been a very good little rescue boat.

If you want to find out more about the club you can check out their website here. Or contact the club at [email protected]

The Atlantic harbour tug comes complete with rescue hook and miniature people. It weighs 3.5kg and is 76 cm long.
Lars Halvorsen Sons P/L was an Australian boat building company and built more than 250 boats during WWII for American, Netherlands and Australian armed forces.

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2 Comments

  1. I would like to make contact with Alan (Atlantic Tug Boat) it may have been some time back but I’m looking at purchasing a Tug Boat myself as a rescue boat.
    Regards
    Darryl

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