You are invited to send one or two pictures of your small sailboat to be published on this page. Send them by E-mail attachment to: william @serjeant5445.fslife.co.uk . (When replying, please do not include the space between william and @. ) Any comments about the boat would be useful.
David Elderton writes, "I sail this 16 foot Kevlar canoe in the protected waters off Vancouver Canada. We use the boat for day cruises and week long camping trips. The outrigger is 12 feet long, made by Easy Rider in Seattle Washington. The reefable main sail is 68sf, furling jib is 20sf on a 15'6"Rotating wing section mast from a Tasar . The outrigger makes this a very comfortable cruising boat. She sails very well and will plane when single handed.
David Haddock e-mailed a nice picture of his beautiful sailing canoe.
" Thanks again Bill for such a fine web-site! Here is another boat. My lovely wife allowed that I could go all "store-bought" last fall on another boat if I wished, so I chose the Old Town Penobscot 16 as my craft. For the sail-rig I went with the Spring Creek 45 sq. ft. Lateen rig with the accompanying lee boards. One thing I had to build though (can't stay out of the sawdust!) was a rudder assembly. The steering oar was a bit too different since I am used to sticks or a tiller. She sails very well and I can paddle "all day" on one side if I choose (no j-stroke needed) with a partial rudder down and a wee bit of counter-steer."
Roberto Venturini let me have these great pictures of his Dufour T7:
" We have owned a Dufour T7 for the past 6 years and managed to log a couple thousand miles in it... Both our kids were put aboard at 6 month age and got perfectly accustomed to sailing...
Should anybody be interested in the T7 and able to understand italian, please visit us at venturini.net (of course you can always try the babelfish translating service to get a rough translation of the pages...) "
John Waldin sent this e-mail:
"Relentless' is an unlicensed Vertue design. I've attached some recent photos. My wife and I love our boat. We sail in all weather, all seasons throughout the Gulf Islands B.C. Canada. " jwaldin@saltspring.com
Blake Crosby sent me this note:
I just wanted to say thank you for your site. I've enjoyed it for at about a year now. I find it incredibly encouraging to see another sailor (or anybody for that matter) proclaim the gospel. I found Christ a little late in life, but better late than never. I thoroughly relate to your testimonial.
I live and sail in the Dallas area. I have a 1988 Precision 18 which my wife thoughtfully christened Endless. I spent six months restoring her after purchasing what I thought was a "cleanup job". I instead became something of a boatwright. Of course the water here is landlocked but there is some exhilarating sailing when the wind gets up around 30 kts. It can kick up a respectable chop across a lake seven miles long. But, no matter what goes wrong, if you don't sink, you will be blown ashore somewhere. And who knows, there might even be a cantina nearby. Tides are completely nonexistent and the nat like jetskis are relatively tolerable on lake Ray Hubbard. There are no barnacles, but there are water moccasins.
There are a surprising number of Brits here. Interestingly, all the ones I know are sailors. One has a honking big spinnaker that is of course, a union jack, and he wins more than his share of races. All are very nice, superb sailors, and happily share their expertise in the art of sailing.
Please keep up the articles and logs. They have been the source of innumerable daydreams.
Rgds,
Blake Crosby crosby@comcast.net
Don Waddingham writes, " I have been watching progress of your Caleb with great interest. This was especially interesting as I have just comlpeted a much modified, scaled up version, which has been modified to give a decked hull for sailing.
Viti is a scaled up "Wee Lassie II" Plans from "Featherweight Boatbuilding" by Mac McCarthy http://www.feathercanoes.com/weelassie.html . Deck "design" was by a catenary curve by "slack" string from bow to stern. Deck moulds were calculated by "excel" spreadsheet to give a parabolic deck. Worked OK but there must be a faster method !
My decision to build "Viti" was influenced by Mead Gougeon & Hugh Horton articles at http://westsystem.com/ewmag/16/index16.html
Jonh Michne has also been a huge help: http://www.michneboat.com/Building%20the%20Wee%20Lassie%20II.htm .
I have had a trial paddle and was very impressed with the stability of my "Viti". Hardly any wake, but very difficult to turn. John also found this. "Viti" is 17 feet long with a beam of 35 inches. However, as I am fitting a rudder, this should solve this. ( Viti, is the Fijian word for Fiji. I was born in Suva but have settled in my mothers country)
We live in Auckland, New Zealand, and are 3 hours by road from Rotorua, which is a geothermal area with many lakes and trout streams. Just imagine sailing slowly, with a line out for breakfast. Our Hauraki Gulf is also a sailing paradise with many islands and bays.
Rather overcrowded these days however." donaldw@ihug.co.nz
Trevor Killmier writes, " Here is a photo showing my boat on Lake Bonney in our Riverland during some beautiful February weather. I had a nice time just drifting around with the occasional gust spuring me on. " killmier@bold.net.au
Clive Rush, P. Eng. writes, " Hello, I enjoy visiting your site. Here's a photo of my kayak and sailrig. I designed and fabricated this sailing rig for my 16'9" fiberglass single sea kayak. The sailrig can be collapsed and placed inside the cockpit for travelling, and the kayak splits into 3 sections for travel overseas on lanes, trains, etc. I use it on the coast of BC, mostly between Vancouver and southern Vancouver Island. I regularly sail/paddle between Vancouver and the Gulf Islands in the Gulf of Georgia over a 10 mile open stretch.The outriggers are inflatable and total weight ~20 pounds. Sail area is 80+ sq. feet - both the main and jib can be furled to nothing if required. Beam with outriggers out is 10 feet. The outriggers are slanted forward to allow paddling with kayak paddles without restriction. I am presently designing and fabricating an electric stern drive that will steer from the peddles like the rudder shown in this photo.." cliverush@yahoo.com
David Haddock writes, " Hello Mr. Serjeant. We corresponded last fall when I was considering my "next boat"... Something that is still on the hopeful list. I thought you might like a couple of photos of my "Tiny Dancer", a 13 foot open design of my own that I enjoy. I am in the throes of cabin fever here in frigid Michigan and enjoying your website while daydreaming about next spring's first opportunities to sail. I am absolutely doing some camp-cruising this year along the Michigan coast line.." marlo734@msn.com
Bill Allan writes, " Our "new" Sandpiper #594 has no name yet. We plan to use it on the Trent, Rideau and Erie Canals, as well as summer sailing in Port Dover, Lake Erie." ballan@golden.net
David Beard writes, " Here's a picture of my Paradox 'Whisper'. "dlb@dixie-net.com
Ken Goodings writes, " Here's a shot of ShortWave at her mooring in Toronto, Lake Ontario, Canada. We enjoy day sails here and often trail her 200 miles north to vacation in Georgian Bay's "North Channel" near Killarney Ontario. Lovely boat, camping room for two and very seaworthy. "goodings@acs.ryerson.ca
Jamie Orr passionately writes, " I enjoy your site from time to time. However, I'm shocked that no one has put up a picture of a Chebacco yet! In my not so humble opinion the best small daysailer/cruiser going. ............... Anyway, I think the world needs to know more about Chebaccos -- so I'm attaching the best photo I have of Wayward Lass. " JORR@bcauditor.com
Mark Wakefield writes, " I sail on the Thames, although I don't own a boat myself. My friend inherited an open gaff sloop (picture above) which we have been sailing for over 18 years from a mooring at Thurrock Yacht Club. We mostly day sail but try to cruise at least once a year, work and family commitments permitting.
I have sailed several boats produced by Character Boats. Their Lune Pilot and Whammel would make excellent cruiser campers and are well suited to the Thames. I hope to own one sometime in the future. "
" Here's a pic of my boat, launched for the first time on Monday 27/08/01 at Bala Lake, North Wales.
I like the idea about starting up an Association for Voyager Owners. If you have any more queries about Voyager 14 s, perhaps you could direct people to me?" kevin85@lineone.net (Webmaster's note: Why not contact Kevin direct by E-mailing him?)
Chas Hague writes: "Here is a picture of my 12 foot O'Day "widgeon", The Widget. She's a wonderful trailer sailer -- if she was any more portable, I'd carry her around in my back pocket! We trailered her up to Door County, Wisconsin, about 250 miles north, last summer.
The photo was taken on Lake Opeka, a small lake in our town. Chicago's O'Hare International airport is just out of the picture to the right.
Update on 01.01.06
Hi Bill,
I am delighted to have just rediscovered your website. It had become 'lost' during one of those mysterious 'crashes' that computers seem to have from time to time and for no reason.
As I scrolled through the site it was rather like meeting old friends again and needless to say I was very happy to see " 'Jabiru' at Wangi" still there.
We still have 'Jabiru' and she continues to give us and our friends great pleasure. We don't venture to the coast these days as we once did preferring instead to sail on our local lake, Lake Burley Griffin. Our favourite pastime is to take another couple out for lunch or now, in summer, an evening meal.
Sitting in the cockpit on a summer's evening, enjoying a meal with friends and gazing at the stars is very pleasant indeed. Returning to the jetty at night, either under sail or power if the wind has dropped, has its own special charm. After farewelling our friends we ease off 50 or so metres, drop the anchor and spend the rest of the night peacefully tucked up in Jabiru's cabin.
I hope all is well with you Bill and wish you peace and contentment in the coming year.
Many thanks for creating such a nice, friendly website that so typifies the joy and pleasure mucking about in a small boat can give.
Kindest regards
Jim & Margaret Mitchell
Thanks for keeping in touch and showing your appreciation of the site. I'm glad you are enjoying 'Jabiru'.
This is 'Jabiru' our Careel 18, at Wangi, a small township, on Lake Macquarie, a coastal lake over 40 kms long on the mid coast of NSW.
We cruise in 'Jabiru' regularly in the warmer months for periods of up to a week and have covered 985 nms since we got her in 1994.
The Careel 18s are a very popular, stable and seaworthy boat. With the keel up and rudder out 'Jabiru' draws about 14'', very handy for coming ashore. She takes the ground very comfortably too though I confess we like to anchor 'out'. Launching is also a doddle, the tilt trailer only goes in until the water laps the bottom rim of the trailer tyres, a blessing in terms of protecting wheel bearings.
Careels can accommodate up to 4 though 2 is ideal. For day sailing 6 can be easily seated in the cockpit thanks to the traveller being attached to the pushpit.
On the road 'Jabiru' easily trails behind a 3litre car, important for us given that we live 100 kms from the coast.
Finally the magic of small sailing boats can be summed up in the following quote :
‘the cabin of a small yacht is truly a wonderful thing. Not only will it shelter you from the tempest, but in the other troubles of life, which may be even more disturbing, it is a safe retreat’
Francis Herreshoff
"I couldn't find Ocoume plywood anywhere near Orlando, and since Vandermere N. C. was only twelve hours away, I drove up and bought my wood from Graham. The money I saved paid for the trip and I got a chance to sail Graham's boat and see some other boats he's designed. Graham teaches boatbuilding at the local community college and has a wonderful way of explaining things; he could write BOATBUILDING FOR IDIOTS.
Since my one-car garage is full of things I don't need and can't find, I needed a place to build my boat. ( Just saying 'my boat' was cool. ) With the help of some friends, I poured a pad next to the garage and rigged a tarp over it. A real roof would have been well worth the trouble. The basic hull went together like it was supposed to, and then I cut off three inches of freeboard. You could hardly hear Graham choke when I told him.
Next came the fun part. The great thing about building my own boat was that I could modify it to be exactly what I wanted. All the technical stuff had been handled. Like how much sail area did I need. Where does the center board go, and how big should it be etc. The interior, however, was different. There were constant revisions to revisions, and Graham and Carla were always there with encouragement, suggestions, or hints that maybe I should rethink a modification or two.
The final result turned out better than I could have hoped. The seats join about the middle of the centerboard trunk and from that point forward continue as a large casting deck. Under the starboard seat is a seven and a half foot rod locker, and on the port side of the centerboard trunk is a live well that can be opened to fresh sea water. Most of the lockers are water tight or nearly so, except the aft eighteen inches of each seat. These are trash lockers and this is the first boat I've had that didn't have soda cans rolling around the bilges.
The entire lazerette is a built-in cooler divided into three sections. The outside compartments have their own six inch round plastic hatches and are for sodas, sandwiches, and a beer or two. The inner section is for ice and dead fish. The interior dividers are one eighth inch plywood and stop about two inches from the top. It works great!
The top of the lazerette is a poling platform.
The boat sails like a dream! The cat-ketch rig with sprits takes just minutes to rig and when we fish we just roll the sails around the masts. I put an extra mast step just forward of the mizzen and use it for a place to park the main when we fish. Graham designed a third mast step giving the option of sailing with just one sail on a windy day. We use it to ghost across the flats with one fisherman forward of the mast on the casting deck looking for Redfish. If we aren't trying to go to windward we can leave the board up and only need about eight inches of water. I don't think any boat, power or otherwise, could do as well.
With both sails, and a fresh breeze, this is a seventeen foot dingy. She really moves out. My GPS has reported seven and a half knots and I'm sure a more competent sailor could do better. In the No Motor Zone we were doing 4.7 knots close hauled, up wind, towing a guy in a canoe who really didn't want to paddle the last two miles up wind to get back to the launch site.
It took me eight months to build, but if I'd had a better facility it would have taken half as long. No single step in the construction was really difficult, and Graham and Carla were always just a phone call away. I kept reminding myself that this was to be a fishing boat and not a show-piece or I'd never finish it. I'd planned to paint the whole thing, but the Ocoume just looked too good. The deck, seat sides, and hull interior are finished bright. Although I get lots of complements on it, all I see are all the little goof-ups. I just don't point them out.
If anyone is contemplating building a Core Sound 17, I'd be delighted to talk to them.
If you have any questions please e-mail me: sirgordy@peoplepc.com
Colin Mooney has sent this picture of a character dinghy and writes, "This is my Green Island 15 sailing dory, designed by Mike Roberts of Brisbane Australia. She has a sliding gunter rig which points well to windward, and the rig is easy to control single handed. Construction is very simple, it was my first boat building project. I use it in the Richmond River at Ballina and sneak out offshore when the conditions are good." (Colin's E-mail address is colcath@ozemail.com.au
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