The Rubeena was registered in 1912, which makes it the oldest boat on the Victorian boating register, Since then it’s been in continuous survey — longer than any boat in Australia.
If the old kauri wooden hull and deck of the Rubeena could talk, they would tell a century of tales of shipping in the Lakes Entrance and Lake Tyers areas.
In Sale, the Rubeena,which can carry 30 passengers is a newcomer after launching in 2012
These days the Rubeena travels just 90 minutes up and down the canal.
She was initially powered by steam, then petrol, diesel and, in 1994, became electric.
Today she runs on 24 two-volt batteries, which take enough charge in eight hours to run the Rubeena for 20 hours.