Gisella C1789

Early Years
Gisella, formerly known as Julia, was built by Gary Edwards at Barwon Heads on the Bellarine Peninsula, Victoria in 1999.

Custodian: Gary Edwards; 1999 – 2000
Following his restoration of another Couta Boat, Sarah C40, Gary set himself a challenge to build a boat from scratch. Through a family connection he contracted Ken Lacco to design a big 21 footer Couta Boat to be used for fishing out of Barwon Heads.

The construction was undertaken in Gary’s shed at Barwon Heads where he applied his skills in cabinet making and carpentry to complete the project. Her keel, stem and stern post were constructed out of Spotted Gum, the planking out of Indonesian Kauri (Damar Minyak), the deck beams out of Oregon, and the decking out of Queensland Beech. On her completion, he named her Julia after his second daughter.

After her completion, she was moored on the Barwon River, close to Gary’s home. As fishing was Gary’s pastime, he made good use of Julia to fish the waters at Barwon Heads, even managing to catch the occasional ‘couta in the local waters. He also sailed Julia for recreation. But Julia was in Barwon waters for a brief time only.

Custodian: Jamie Spencer; 2000 – 2004
In 2000, the year following her launch, Gary sold Julia to Jamie Spencer. Jamie sailed Julia at the Sorrento Sailing Couta Boat Club (SSCBC) in the Division 2 competition until 2004 when she was sold to John Lessels of Paynesville on Gippsland Lakes on the south east Victorian coastline. Repairs were undertaken and the original Volvo engine was replaced with a Yanmar 2YM15.

Custodian: John Lessels; 2004 – 2009
John sailed Julia out of Paynesville until 2009. During 2009, the tabernacle and mast were modified by Timber Boat Works, Paynesville for use at Patterson Lakes, Victoria.

Custodian: Scott Botrill; 2009 – 2014
She was then sold to Scott Botterill who brought her to outer south east Melbourne and occasionally sailed her out of Patterson Lakes. She remained in Scott’s custodianship for five years.

Custodian: Andrew Somerville; 2014 – 2017
Julia returned to the Gippsland Lakes after she was purchased by Andrew Somerville in 2014. Keel repairs were undertaken and the centre-case was replaced by Timber Boat Works, Paynesville. She was obviously successful, winning the 2017 Gippsland Lakes Yacht Club Championship.

Custodians: Colin Arcaro and Graeme Mee; 2017 – 2019
In 2017, Julia was purchased by Graeme Mee in 2017. Colin Arcaro set about purchasing a share in Gisella with a view to becoming a half-owner. Shortly after purchase, Julia was renamed Gisella.

A 3 blade propeller was replaced with an Austral 2 blade propeller and the ballast was increased from 500 kg to 740 kg. Then in 2018, new sails by Doyle Sails, Melbourne were fitted.

With her new sails fitted and her relocation to the SSCBC, a new era began for Gisella. She quickly gained a reputation as a successful competitor in the Division 2 fleet. In 2018, she won both Line Honours and Handicap in the San Pellegrino Cup.

Custodian: Graeme Mee; 2019 – 2022
Graeme Mee is now the sole owner after Colin Arcaro sold his share to Graeme in 2019. In 2020, Gisella won 1st Handicap, Division 2 in the Portsea Cup after the race had been postponed twice due to unfavourable wind conditions. Gisella also won 1st Handicap, Division 2, in the 2020 Lacco Cup.

Custodian: Danny Stutterd; 2022 -Present
In 2022, Gisella was sold to SSCBC sailor Danny Stutterd.

After campaigning Division 1 Couta Boat Bella in a syndicate of four, Danny made a decision to seek another Couta Boat that he could skipper and campaign. Gisella suited his requirements. Danny and his crew successfully campaigned her in the 2022 -2023 sailing season, and they look forward to Gisella’s continual presence in the Division 2 fleet at SSCBC.