One of the Australian Wooden Boat Festival’s most popular events, for both competitors and spectators.
A race of creativity, ingenuity, perseverance and time. Student teams from around the state race to construct a boat on-site during the Festival—with limited materials and time, this is sure to be a must
see spectacle! On Sunday, the teams decorate and waterproof their boats. On the last day of the Festival the boats will be launched in Constitution Dock, then raced under sail and oar!
The Quick & Dirty Boat Building Challenge has been held during the AWBF for several Festivals, with Tasmanian kids learning the art of boat building and competing with thousands of spectators in Tasmania’s iconic Constitution Dock. Prizes are on offer, and the experience is once in a lifetime!
*Registrations to participate in the Quick & Dirty are now closed. Join us over the weekend to watch it all unfold—then sign up for 2027!
| WHAT | DAY | TIME |
|---|---|---|
| Build | Saturday | 13:00 - 16:00 |
| Decorate | Sunday | 10:00 - 16:00 |
| Judging | Monday | 13:00 |
| Parade | Monday | 14:00 |
| Race | Monday | 14:30 |
In 2025, we welcome Tasmanian Shipwrights & Co.
as the official sponsors of the Quick & Dirty. And, what a great fit! Tasmanian Shipwrights & Co. specialise in the construction of new boats and the restoration of classic wooden boats. Their focus on craftsmanship, quality, and relationships fosters a community of boatbuilding professionals dedicated to preserving the great tradition of wooden boat building in Tasmania.
Grown from humble beginnings and the dreams of its founders, Tasmanian Shipwrights & Co. is based in the bustling Oyster Cove Marina in Kettering.
