Axel’s Wooden Boat Building Workshops & Slipway

In 1928 Axel and Frank purchased the Gulf Docking Slip located on the beach below where the Port Lincoln Hotel now stands. They built fishing boats and dinghies as well as operating the slip for local fishermen.

In 1940, when Axel’s lease ran out, he bought out Jack McFarlane’s similar business and relocated to the North Shore. All their equipment, tools, workbenches, cradle and camp shack were floated by raft to their current site, towed by Axel’s cabin cruiser Rio Rita.

Gradual expansions included a kitchen, bedroom for Frank, office and blacksmith shop. These have been preserved and form the core part of the Museum you see today.

Over 40 boats and more than 250 dinghies were built at these workshops. Axel cast a special plaque as his trademark with the words