We Care WA has recently been donated a boat, and what an incredible journey it’s already
been! As Aaron, Director of We Care WA, has been a “boaty” most of his life, he immediately
saw the potential in what others may have overlooked.
This aluminium boat had been sitting forgotten under a tree for over 20 years, hidden away
in the Kalamunda foothills of Perth, slowly collecting leaves, moss, and memories.
Thankfully, being constructed from aluminium meant it didn’t rust or rot like steel or wood
would. Aaron snapped it up, seeing it as the perfect hands-on project for our participants
and a chance to bring something back to life.
The trailer was well past its use-by date, so the first challenge was transportation. The boat
made its journey to Mandurah on the back of a tilt tray truck, arriving at its new home in the
Peel region ready for a new chapter
Step 1 – The First Wash
Out came the pressure washer! Aden was guided through the setup and then let loose on
the job. Over three solid hours, he blasted away layers of dirt and moss. Slowly but surely,
the true boat underneath was revealed. It really felt like a rebirth, bringing her back to life
and ready for future adventures. Aden did a fantastic job.
Step 2 – Clearing 20 Years of Leaves
Next in was Shaun, armed with the blower and vacuum. Twenty years’ worth of leaves had
built up inside the boat, and for four hours Shaun worked tirelessly in the heat, blowing and
vacuuming to loosen and remove them all. It was hard work, but he did an absolute ripper
of a job.
Step 3 – Organising the Parts
As Shaun vacuumed, different parts of the boat began to appear. These were removed and
placed on the lawn, where Aden stepped in once again, neatly stacking and organising
everything into a tidy pile. Teamwork at its best.
Step 4 – Cooling Down & Carpet Clean
With the heat taking its toll, Shaun was swapped over to spraying the boat carpet. Years of
built-up soil were blasted away, cooling Shaun down and bringing the carpet back to life
after two decades of neglect.
What’s Next?
Now that the boat is clean, the next step is finding a boat engine mechanic to help bring the
engine back to life. We’ll also be testing for leaks and continuing the restoration journey.
Stay tuned !!!the adventure is only just beginning!
