Preana Steam Yacht Tours

S. Y Preana is a luxury steam yacht built by Robert Inches at his Battery Point (Hobart) boatyard in 1896 for the Hon. W. G. Gibson M.L.C. a wealthy Tasmanian flour mill owner.

By the 1930s, Preana had slipped down the scale, and was sold to the Watt family and had been fitted out as a fishing vessel, with a scallop dredge. She was then converted by Mr. Charles Lucas to a fine motor yacht for his own use and for cruising. In the late 1930's she passed into the hands of Mr. WJ. Clark, and was known as the motor launch 'WJ. Clark', and then changed into the hands of Mr Peter Ketchel and back to to the name Preana.

For many years she sat idle and engineless at her moorings off Battery Point. In 1985 she was shifted to new moorings at Prince of Wales Bay, but sank at the marina there in mid 1992. Thankfully for the Preana, perhaps the only serving Hobart built steam yacht in Australia, she was rescued by The Preana Trust. A team of volunteers have now restored her to her original condition so that once again the Preana can grace the waterways of Hobart and the Derwent River.

In order to fund the maintenance and expenses of the vessel you and your friends and colleagues can enjoy a unique luxury cruise through one of the world's most beautiful waterways.