My client is a lifelong sailor who's owned just about every sort of boat. Pushing well into middle age, he was starting to think about the "boat for the rest of his life."
Folks asking how well a boat points are akin to the folks asking Capn Slocum "will she pay?" Payment comes in different forms and so do debits. Many articles on boating are focused on how many miles are covered in a day, but the select few are more focused on what we saw along the way, Steve Earley and his boat SPARTINA come to mind.
I was fortunate to be pressed into service by a gal who learned to detest stinkpots (Seagull) from her Dad, and she also learned her first sailor words along the way as a wee lass. As a result our Armada has one boat out of 16 that relies primarily on a motor, a 1959 lapstrake runabout, which serves as the recon boat for some of our muck abouts.
Have you found red and green Hudson Bay blankets yet?
I'm slowly falling for the Junk Rig sail design so when I scrolled down and saw that was your next drawing my responce was, "now you are talking!" But, we have a Canadian sailor in our waters these days - somewhere around the Chesapeake - is Wave Rover II. Being just four foot longer with similar Junk Rig - John you must seek him out and check her out. (I did)
A peculiar client indeed. But a very wise and talented one as well. Maybe one day that client may reach those distant horizons. And by the way, I have never seen a boat that this client has drawn that doesn't make me want to order a set of plans or purchase a kit for. Well done sir. Very nicely done.
"the hull could be built in glued plywood lapstrake, an approach that's much quicker and cheaper given professional skills. The client vetoed this option because he dislikes the parasitic drag of the lapped planks below the waterline."
Has anyone ever considered a "reverse hybrid" of strip and plywood? I say "reverse" because all the strip hybrids I've seen are counterintuitively cosmetics-focused with boxy plywood hulls and strips used to build mostly-flat decks. What about stripping the areas that need tight, fair curves and saving lots of drudgery by ply-planking all the flat surfaces? I've always thought about building a kayak that way, but it seems like it would be even easier for a larger boat (especially if you are experienced with 3D CAD).
As I was reading your article, I was thinking, just buy a used Flicka, like I did this Fall at 75 years of salting. But as you said, dreaming is a nice way of staying sane these days. Thanks for the piece.
It pleases me no end to hear from you personally. And to learn more about you and your adventures in designing and sailing. (Thanks for the link to Ollie)
I’m in Cedar Key, FL, for the November small boat get-together. The first weekend in May we have a bigger annual gathering, at which a few years ago Michael and I gave the keynote talk.
A lot of merit to swept spreaders and maybe a fat head main to go high, slim and powerful, without a back stay. Full battens? Maybe some runners for reaching off the wind. Of course short tacking and indeed up the wind, they can be set up so both stay set. Will there be something light and floaty to keep you flying down the breeze when there isn't much? My friend N.A. Paul Miller who turboed his Rozinante for the Chesapeake is figuring on a new hill in between the lead and rig and it will get a slim transom. And the stick carbon? I can pick up my 25' Romily stick solo, and its light weight makes the slim hull stable.
Pensativa and Madness have a lot more in common than you'd think at first glance. Both are close to an ultimate expression of their design program and each is lovely in its own right. Kudos for having birthed both.
Thanks for all the nice comments (and emails!). I fear the boat is too short, and the article much too long. The same labor and pile of materials could be turned into a longer, lighter, faster, and much-easier-to-build sharpie or something.
" a longer, lighter, faster, and much-easier-to-build sharpie or something. " I would like one of those drawn up please. engineless of course. Oars as secondary propulsion. Great read by-the-way. 👍
I liked reading the thoughts behind the qualities John wants and why or why not they'll work for him.
When Michael and I got our first boat we did not have enough experience with boats or our own cruising priorities. It took time and experience with what we didn’t like to learn that the shoal draft beachable cruiser suited us just right.
And it changes with time and circumstance. The Cape Dory Typhoon is perfect for me now in the frequently wild and breezy Cape Cod waters. John’s article made me appreciate my Just Now even more, (especially since I didn’t and won’t have to build it) as well as his thoughts on the boat he imagines building for himself.
A fine article and a good lesson on the design process.
I did not guess the Navel Arch was the client, but having had similar conversations with clients during my years as a designer / builder, it rings clear and true.
its a good'un. I hope it gets built.
During my 20+ years as Lighthouse keeper, I sailed a Cape Dory Typhoon from a shallow creek that led into a natural lagoon. Wonderful boat.
My experience with the Flicka has been on others' boats, but the "good" came through.
And, I agree wholeheartedly that CLC is one heck of a good outfit.
Skills & $$$...we’ll above my “pay grade”!!! In this 8th decade of life...a “Pre-built” Pocket Cruiser would do nicely!.....none the less...fun to dream!
Folks asking how well a boat points are akin to the folks asking Capn Slocum "will she pay?" Payment comes in different forms and so do debits. Many articles on boating are focused on how many miles are covered in a day, but the select few are more focused on what we saw along the way, Steve Earley and his boat SPARTINA come to mind.
I was fortunate to be pressed into service by a gal who learned to detest stinkpots (Seagull) from her Dad, and she also learned her first sailor words along the way as a wee lass. As a result our Armada has one boat out of 16 that relies primarily on a motor, a 1959 lapstrake runabout, which serves as the recon boat for some of our muck abouts.
Have you found red and green Hudson Bay blankets yet?
Cheers,
Kent and Audrey (Skipper)
Why not just buy a Nordica 20? Hull wise, It's almost the same thing.
I'm pretty sure a Norsea 27 aft cabin with the engine removed would have met the client's parameters!
I'm slowly falling for the Junk Rig sail design so when I scrolled down and saw that was your next drawing my responce was, "now you are talking!" But, we have a Canadian sailor in our waters these days - somewhere around the Chesapeake - is Wave Rover II. Being just four foot longer with similar Junk Rig - John you must seek him out and check her out. (I did)
A peculiar client indeed. But a very wise and talented one as well. Maybe one day that client may reach those distant horizons. And by the way, I have never seen a boat that this client has drawn that doesn't make me want to order a set of plans or purchase a kit for. Well done sir. Very nicely done.
"the hull could be built in glued plywood lapstrake, an approach that's much quicker and cheaper given professional skills. The client vetoed this option because he dislikes the parasitic drag of the lapped planks below the waterline."
Has anyone ever considered a "reverse hybrid" of strip and plywood? I say "reverse" because all the strip hybrids I've seen are counterintuitively cosmetics-focused with boxy plywood hulls and strips used to build mostly-flat decks. What about stripping the areas that need tight, fair curves and saving lots of drudgery by ply-planking all the flat surfaces? I've always thought about building a kayak that way, but it seems like it would be even easier for a larger boat (especially if you are experienced with 3D CAD).
As I was reading your article, I was thinking, just buy a used Flicka, like I did this Fall at 75 years of salting. But as you said, dreaming is a nice way of staying sane these days. Thanks for the piece.
Hello John
It pleases me no end to hear from you personally. And to learn more about you and your adventures in designing and sailing. (Thanks for the link to Ollie)
I’m in Cedar Key, FL, for the November small boat get-together. The first weekend in May we have a bigger annual gathering, at which a few years ago Michael and I gave the keynote talk.
I fantasize now your coming to do that….
Thanks again for your note,
Ida
A lot of merit to swept spreaders and maybe a fat head main to go high, slim and powerful, without a back stay. Full battens? Maybe some runners for reaching off the wind. Of course short tacking and indeed up the wind, they can be set up so both stay set. Will there be something light and floaty to keep you flying down the breeze when there isn't much? My friend N.A. Paul Miller who turboed his Rozinante for the Chesapeake is figuring on a new hill in between the lead and rig and it will get a slim transom. And the stick carbon? I can pick up my 25' Romily stick solo, and its light weight makes the slim hull stable.
Pensativa and Madness have a lot more in common than you'd think at first glance. Both are close to an ultimate expression of their design program and each is lovely in its own right. Kudos for having birthed both.
Great article and great design, though not one I can imagine actually building or acquiring. Still, excellent food for thought! Thanks.
Thanks for all the nice comments (and emails!). I fear the boat is too short, and the article much too long. The same labor and pile of materials could be turned into a longer, lighter, faster, and much-easier-to-build sharpie or something.
" a longer, lighter, faster, and much-easier-to-build sharpie or something. " I would like one of those drawn up please. engineless of course. Oars as secondary propulsion. Great read by-the-way. 👍
Thank you! That boat got drawn. "Ollie," a 24-foot canoe yawl: https://clcboats.com/life-of-boats-blog/Ollie-Canoe-Yawl.html
There was interest in "Ollie," some of it very flattering, but ultimately not enough to cover the cost of creating a complete design package.
Great news, checking now...I'll get back to you!
I liked reading the thoughts behind the qualities John wants and why or why not they'll work for him.
When Michael and I got our first boat we did not have enough experience with boats or our own cruising priorities. It took time and experience with what we didn’t like to learn that the shoal draft beachable cruiser suited us just right.
And it changes with time and circumstance. The Cape Dory Typhoon is perfect for me now in the frequently wild and breezy Cape Cod waters. John’s article made me appreciate my Just Now even more, (especially since I didn’t and won’t have to build it) as well as his thoughts on the boat he imagines building for himself.
A good read.
Wow, I've really enjoyed your writing and your fleet of boats over the years! "Ollie" fits into the Phil Bolger Dovekie/Dugong continuum: https://www.clcboats.com/life-of-boats-blog/Ollie-Canoe-Yawl.html
Best of luck with your build!
A fine article and a good lesson on the design process.
I did not guess the Navel Arch was the client, but having had similar conversations with clients during my years as a designer / builder, it rings clear and true.
its a good'un. I hope it gets built.
During my 20+ years as Lighthouse keeper, I sailed a Cape Dory Typhoon from a shallow creek that led into a natural lagoon. Wonderful boat.
My experience with the Flicka has been on others' boats, but the "good" came through.
And, I agree wholeheartedly that CLC is one heck of a good outfit.
Rick Pratt
Retired
Farley Boat Works,
Port Aransas, Texas
Skills & $$$...we’ll above my “pay grade”!!! In this 8th decade of life...a “Pre-built” Pocket Cruiser would do nicely!.....none the less...fun to dream!