The profiles listed in this Register have been documented from the stories and photos contributed by custodians and others who willingly shared information. Readers who have additional information about the history of any Couta Boat are invited to forward it to couta_profile@coutaboat.com.au so that it can be added to the Register.
Hull: Kauri
Deck: Celery Top Pine
Early Years
Mordialloc boatbuilder Joe Pompei claims that Ruth-e was built circa 1950 at Paynesville on the Gippsland Lakes in Victoria. Built at a length of 16 foot, she is considered to be the smallest boat listed in the Register. She was built as a traditional fishing boat, with a standing lug rig.
She was used for fishing on the Gippsland Lakes where she sank in a flood in the 1960s when she was moored in the Genoa River.
In later years, the boat was recovered from under corrugated iron on Phillip Island, Victoria.
Her custodian at the time restored her over a period of ten years. She now has a Kauri hull and a Celery Top Pine deck.
Custodian: Steve Wirtz; Unknown – 2017
Sorrento sailor Steve Wirtz owned Ruth-e until 2017. On four occasions, Steve transported the boat to Tasmania to attend the Hobart Wooden Boat Festival. On these trips Steve has sailed her as far south as Recherche Bay on the southern tip of Tasmania and also north to Maria Island, located on the east coast of Tasmania.
Custodian: Romauld Andrew; 2017- 2019
Romauld Andrew from Queenscliff was her custodian for two years. He moored her at Queenscliff and sailed her on occasions.
Custodian: Unknown; 2019 –
In 2019, Ruth-e was sold. The name of the current custodian is not known.
