ON SUNDAY, we went down to the Norman Point boat ramp for a coffee and to check out some of the goings on there a as is usual for us on a Sunday morning.

But we could not believe our eyes when we saw what was tied up at the public pontoon a none other than the modern day tall ship, The Joshua C.

This magnificent twin-masted vessel is owned, skippered and was built by Sunshine Coast man, Robin Cooke.

For those who are not in the know of Robin and his adreama boat, there is a story here that will not only bring a tear to your eye but also fill you with encouragement and inspiration.

And when you see what this man has accomplished through an on-going onslaught of adversity, it is simply overwhelming.

Robin started out as a Bli Bli boat builder and it took him 13 years in his spare time to build this 24-metre, 40-tonne wooden ship. …