Phil - s/v Grasshopper Posted June 30, 2007 Posted June 30, 2007 Hello, I've been lurking on this site for ~2 years and decided that I finally have something worthwhile to post. The "Adventures of Grasshopper" actually began 2 years ago when I sadly sold my Frances 26' after moving back to Colorado from Hawaii. To deal with my new-found, boatless depression I started researching small sailboats for use on Colorado lakes. The design had to be easily trailered behind the average small station wagon, rowable, beachable, capable of carrying 2 adults and 2 kids, and provide incredible sailing performance. I managed to find several good candidates which included the Norseboat, Navigator, Pathfinder, Jersey Skiff, Bay River Skiff, and Core Sound 17. Since I want to spend time with my kids before they reach the age where I become "lame" I needed to find a used boat or a builder for a new one. They aren't quite old enough to help me build a boat....yet. As I sharpened my pencil on the trade study I came across Ray Frechette and Great Falls Boat Works. After talking to Ray several times and doing my homework I decided he would be a good choice for a builder. We worked out the details of the contract last fall and I sent off my deposit check to get him started. The only problem remaining was that Ray is in Maine and I live in Colorado. This situation had the makings for a great road trip! Fortunately my wife is the adventurous type and her parents love to take our kids. We made arrangements to send the kids to Hawaii for 2 weeks then we started making plans for the road trip. The timing was perfect. We had just celebrated our 10th anniversary and were looking for an adventure. Everything worked out great. Ray finished the boat the day after we arrived in Portland so we had the time to explore. We met up with Ray on the scheduled day and splashed Grasshopper in a pond near Lewiston. A real sea trial requires salt water however. As we discussed this with Ray he offered to play tour guide in Casco Bay on an outing to Fort Gorges. This would be perfect. Ray wanted to help us get a few more minor bugs out on the rigging and I wanted to shoot some photos of Grasshopper under sail. My wife also wanted to get more tips from Ray on sailing the CS17. Ray was wonderful to work with and is still more than happy to provide answers and insight for all my remaining questions as I learn the details of sailing a cat ketch rig. I would highly recommend him to anyone who wants a boat built. If you are interested in seeing photos from the adventures of Grasshopper you can check out an ongoing photo essay that I've put on my website: http://www.pmimage.com/svg/grasshopper.html I will be updating this site somewhat regularly. Cheers, Phil Mislinski Quote
Garry Posted June 30, 2007 Posted June 30, 2007 Grat presentation Phil. You and Ray are both lucky to have joined together on crating a beautiful boat. May sv Grasshopper see many wonderful adventures! Quote
Steve Day Posted July 2, 2007 Posted July 2, 2007 Phil, That is a great collection of photos and a great looking new Core Sound. Too bad you had to have Ray at the helm to spoil the photos. Seriously, that is a nice story and a good adventure coming most of the way across the country to get your new boat. Enjoy sailing her on the lakes up there in Colorado. I would expect you will try out Lake McConaughy in Nebraska, too. I lived out there for a few years and remember that lake well. Best of luck with your new boat. I know she will serve you well. Steve Quote
Phil - s/v Grasshopper Posted July 2, 2007 Author Posted July 2, 2007 Steve, Good to hear you like the photos and story. Yep, Lake McConaughy is in the plans. So are Carter Lake and most importantly Lake Granby. Getting into the back side in Rocky Mountain National Park is spectacular. The wind is usually very good as well. Look for further updates on the website later in the summer. In the immediate future it will be Boulder Reservoir as it was yesterday. It's not an incredible venue, but the wind is usually fairly good and it's close by. -Phil Quote
Remod Posted July 3, 2007 Posted July 3, 2007 I've followed the build of S/V Grasshopper from it's inception, and want to say congratulations to you and to Ray. Tis a fine boat indeed! Quote
Ken_Potts Posted July 3, 2007 Posted July 3, 2007 I've been enthusiastically watching the build of grasshopper too. Congrats to all involved parties. Please just don't ever park next to me and make my boat look bad, though Quote
Greg Luckett Posted July 4, 2007 Posted July 4, 2007 Hi Phil, Glad to see you posting and hope you will do so often. Those pictures are really well done and Grasshopper is a very pretty boat. Greg. Quote
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