brian watkins

That's interesting, and looks very accurate. If you have access to a copy of Ruel Parker's "Sharpie Book", he gives a slightly more "quick and dirty" approach. Once the four-sided double-tapered stage is reached, section marks are made on each face. Measure width every 3-4 feet, multiply by 0.21, and mark that distance in from the edge. Connect the marks with your batten, and saw at 45 degrees (or plane, I guess). He apparently planes from octagon to "sixteen-agon" by eye and grinds or sands from there. I've simplified this a bit. Since I've never built a spar, perhaps some experienced builders could jump in and tell us if this approach works or not, and how it compares. FYI, while I was a bit underwhelmed with the value-for-money aspect of the plans I bought from Mr. Parker, I found his book to contain a lot of good info on how to build modern sharpies.

In this month's issue of Small Craft Advisor, an author (Bud Kerner) while cruising a Potter 19 in Southern California had to produce both registration documents and proof of insurance to get a slip for a night at a marina. Before long, they'll probably want fingerprints and DNA samples!

I'm playing around with some lugsail options on a design (mostly for fun), and I'd like to draw on some of the assembled wisdom here. If you've looked at any of Francoix Vivier's designs, I'm sure you'll agree that he draws a nice boat, and a perusal of photos from his and other websites shows that his rigs seem to sail well. I'd guess that there's at least a couple hundred of his boats out there(mostly in Europe). The majority of his sails seem to be a particular kind of standing lug. I assume that this is a French or possibly a Breton style: usually boomless, and with the tack coming down to a point on deck just forward of the mast (as opposed to on the mast as we usually see it). Obviously, when on the "good" tack, the sail forms a beautiful shape away from the mast, and looks extremely efficient, while on the other tack, it suffers a bit (as do some other lugs). The performance must not suffer that much, or there wouldn't be so many sailors enjoying his designs. First question: has anyone here sailed or been around this particular type of standing lug, and would anyone care to comment on its strengths and weaknesses compared to other standing and/or balanced lugsails? As I played around with this, I thought of a possible way to better utilize this sail. Mode one: for casual or single-handed sailing, the rig is used as a standing lug, with the option of setting it up on either side of the mast (say, alongshore sailing with wind usually from offshore). Mode two: when more performance is desired, and you have a second person available, use the sail as a dipping lug, either in the traditional way or (as Harry Sucher once sketched it), with a tack that can be pulled back around the mast while the yard tips up and also comes around (as he drew it it didn't seem much more complicated than tacking a jib, except the the main sheet must also be slacked, which is natural with most of the Vivier sails anyway, as the mainsheet is shifted across from quarter to quarter). A key point is that there must be some play betweeen the yard and the mast. I have no idea if this has ever been tried. Look at some photos of Vivier boats (Illur and Ebihen in particular), in action and I think you will see what I'm getting at. Second question: any idea if this would work? Thanks! http://www.vivierboats.com/html/stock_classic.html http://www.vivierboats.com/html/stock_sail_and_oar.html

Apologies if this has already been covered, but I just bought the Small Boats special, and it features a nice review of Ray Frechette-built Core Sounds. Congrats to both Ray and Graham for getting some wonderful coverage!

Thanks for the reply. Ive read that info from Chapelle regarding the relationships between the various dimensions on the classic sharpies, and you're right about the differences betweeen Ruel Parker's designs and the originals, it's quite instructive to compare them to see the changes he made. The Maryland Sharpie I've mentioned above seems to be a bit different. The large skeg, for example, would seem to indicate a boat that would track better, but possibly lose some speed due to wetted surface. The daggerboard, on the other hand could be shaped for better performance versus the usual sharpie centerboard (just don't hit a rock!). I love comparing designs and speculating about different boats, I just wish there was some more info available on this particular sharpie. It's not in Chapelle's "American Small Sailing Craft"; apparently the info came from a paper he wrote. There's one tantalizing photo in Parker's book of a 28 foot example. It's a very pretty boat. Incidentally, I just saw photos of a 35' Parker New Haven sharpie (with cabin) for sale in Florida. This is his development of the classic two-masted oyster tonging boat. Looks fast just at anchor!

Well, there I was, browsing the nautical shelves in the used-books store again, and there was a copy of Payson's "More Instant Boats", which I had many years ago. In the back was the 23 1/2 foot Light Scooner. Now, I have seen some internet info on the quirks of sailing (and capsizing) these little schooners, and have always felt that, while I might not want to build one myself, they would be an extremely fun boat to sail. So, while I was daydreaming, I thought: "It would be nice to have a boat that combined my interest in open boat cruising, a traditional work-boat ancestry, and some of the spark of that Light Scooner-all in one!" That sent me back to my tattered copy of Parker's "The Sharpie Book", and to one of my favorite oddballs: the 25' Maryland Fishing Sharpie. For those who don't have the book, it's a large skiff with a big skeg, a daggerboard(!), a cat ketch rig with sprit-boomed leg-o-muttons and a removable bowsprit with a balanced jib. Like most of Parker's sharpies, it's based on info preserved by Chapelle (bless 'im!). It may be irrational, but I have a hankering for LARGE daysailers based on traditional workboats, that can be used for camp-cruising as well as taking a bunch of friends out for an afternoon. Unfortunately, I would also want to be able to rig and sail it solo. Being able to sail in the light summer airs we get here in Oregon would be nice. And of course I'd like it to be fun to sail (like that Scooner!). Other boats I like are the Core Sound 20, the Drascombe Longboat, and a whole slew of large dories. On the face of it, this sharpie seems to fit the bill, but I don't know if one has ever been built. Would any of you who have the book or have seen the design care to comment on it ? Pro's, con's or just opinions regarding the boat or Mr. Parker's designs? Thanks in advance!

An excellent article, with some very happy pictures. John, Susan, Titty and Roger would all approve, and I'm sure Nancy and Peggy would identify with pirates cove, even though you didn't have a war. I love seeing these kinds of stories. I think an editor could put together a good book filled with chapters like this on open-boat cruising. Something like "Sailing Small" (ed. Stan Grayson, published by Devereux), which focused on small yachts (17-25 feet). Between this group, all the Stephenson fans next door, the Oughtred forum, and the various Yahoo groups, there are a lot of good stories out there. Most of them are not the "I braved the North Atlantic in mid-Winter!" type, but the kind of inspirational weekends that remind us that adventure can usually be found right in our own backyards. Thanks for sharing this with us.

A big well-done to you guys, gals and any others who helped. This is an incredible achievement, considering the boat was sailed only once (is that correct?), before being transported to the race!

I wish I lived on the east coast! This boat will make someone VERY happy!

While I have no interest in around-the-buoys type racing, I find these kinds of events (EC, Raids; etc.), fascinating. I understand that there's a lot more to it than technology, I thinks that's why we were all so impressed by the skill involved in the Challenge. I would feel very proud of myself just to FINISH an event like this.

Graham, that looks to be a real beauty; however, it will probably be going too fast for us to get a good look at it! This is a pretty nosy question (but I'm gonna ask anyway), given the rules for the EC, are there any concerns that this boat may be getting out of the "envelope" of what the EC rule-makers want to see show up at the start? Please, understand I'm asking in ignorance of what other kinds of entries were contenders last year. Since you shattered the course record so thoroughly last year, do you anticipate any grumbling? "'S'not fair! He's a designer! His boat's too fast! ... Psst! Hey, buddy? Where can I buy the plans?" 8) Anyway, can't wait to see this rocket go! Maybe a paintjob like a P-40 Warhawk....

If you are in a tidal area where drying out every tide is likely, then bilge keels may be a good idea. They are very popular in Britain for that reason. British Hunter boats (not to be confused with the American company), has made some very well-performing twin keel boats. Pictures of any drying harbour in the U.K. will show some boats sitting on two or sometimes three keels.

She's absolutely beautiful! I'm curious to see how the new interior works out for you. I once had an ancient Fairline 19 (an early fibreglass cabin cruiser in England) with a very similar cabin layout (slightly smaller, actually), and I liked it quite a bit. Regardless of the interior, I'm sure it will sail great! Your kids must think you're pretty special!

What a coincidence! Nice discussion going on in the Western Oregon Messabout Yahoo forum (where Joe Nelson and his new CS20 hang out), regarding lug rigs, mostly about dipping lugs, but with photos of all kinds. Graham, which CS is that? Also, how does the performance of the balanced lug compare with the sprit-boom in light airs (assuming other points than upwind? Regardless, it does look pretty!

Congratulations, Scott! She is one beautiful little ship, and I expect you and yours will have some wonderful adventures and collect a LOT of admiring glances wherever you go.

I could happily live on that!

I'm sure Graham and Fred have the biggest cheerleading section in the Challenge! Congratulations to the two of you for winning a hard-fought race and establishing a new course record! I think it's time the sailing world at large started paying a little more attention to B and B Design! ROOOOOOOO!

Thank you very much, Graham. You have a lot of fans, and I'm sure we will enjoy rooting for you again!

Just some unimportant questions (for when you have a chance!): 1. Are you planning on entering the the Everglades Challenge this year? Some people in the our Western Oregon Messabout (the Coots) became very interested in the race last year, and are kicking around the idea of an entry for next year (or beyond), so I'm keeping an eye out for info. 2. Related to the above, how do you think the CS20 would be as a contender? I think when they see Joe Nelson's boat hit the water soon (he's a Coot), they may be interested. I'm not sure how "race-oriented" any of them are, it's more of an adventure thing. Personally, I think anyone who even finishes the EC is deserving of respect! Thanks a bunch!

Charles Stock and his little sloop "Shoal Waters" are an inspiration to anyone who likes the idea of going small and really exploring the out-of-the way places. When I lived in England, it was reading articles by him and those like him that cured me of dreams of big sailboats and blue water (well, mostly - I do have relapses). For those who've never been there, a small, well-built sailboat of shallow draft and with a dropping rig can go anywhere. The narrow-beam canals have a limit of about 6' 10" beam in the locks. If you can fit in them AND sail coastally, you can go just about anywhere in England. Get across the Channel, and all of Europe is open to you as well. Alas, when I lived there, I did not have a sailboat. I did; however, have an old beat-up Fairline 19 with an ancient two-stoke 9.9hp on it, with which I enjoyed many a day cruising the river Avon. Very "Wind in the Willows"!

Everyone has their claim to fame. Mine is that I know the two guys who started this. They are very active in community theatre in this area. I was in "Merry Wives of Windsor" with Summers; I was Ford and he was a marvelous Falstaff.

Can't wait to see pictures, Joe! Congratulations in advance. Another triumph for the Coots (Western Oregon Messabouts)!

That's a very pretty looking boat! You won't be making people's decisions any easier, now. Between the Bellhaven and the two Princess 22's (not to mention the 26!), what a dreamer to do? You could call this one a Prinhaven....or maybe a Bellcess.... Or maybe I should just shut up and build my CS20!

Mr. Kisting, I hope we'll be seeing more of Joe's project. You're a very entertaining writer and photographer.

Whoever this is, it's a great story! Am I correct in assuming that behind the fun, this is a future Princess 22 builder who is working it all out in model form first?