I love the Welsford line about caricature of classic designs. His Pathfinder really touches my heart precisely because of its subtle emphasis on classic lines. I hadn't really thought about it in those terms, but the designer's genius was to dream up a modern boat of classic proportions.
I enjoy traditional archery and traditional muzzleloading guns, and the same arguments seem to be voiced. Is a longbow or recurve made with a wood core and fiberglass really traditional, especially when it doesn't conform to what was made by native Americans, or something used in the middle ages? There are those who say no, and others who say that as long as it doesn't have wheels like a compound bow, it IS traditional. My take on it is that it depends on "what floats your boat." If you feel that a fiberglass boat with aluminum or carbon fiber spars and Dacron sails is traditional, why, it sure is. If someone else says it might look traditional but it really isn't, that is their reality.
I find the timing of this article suspect, as I criticized one of Jerry's most endearing designs just yesterday when referring to my own Montgomery 17. I stated I loved everything about the boat, except for those things above the sheer line. As designed she had a traditional looking hull with simulated planks that not only made her look like an instant classic, but also increased hull strength to go with her stub keel, centerboard, and fast design.
It was her cabintop and cockpit that I hate. That lovely "traditional" looking hull topped by a streamlined and aerodynamic looking cabin top that looks more designed to be easy to remove from it's mold. Same with the cockpit. It's a design that seems to work well on the little M17, but I would be happier with a more squared off cabin top and real wood combings.
So yes, I criticized his design yesterday on how it is not traditional enough and here we are today, reading about Jerry and his feelings on traditional boats. Somehow I feel to blame for this article appearing today.
I just finished machining some Osage Orange mast hardware for the wooden mast on the Whitehall. The hull shape is developed from figure 72 in American Small Sailing Craft. Does this make it traditional? Mebbe.
The hull is strip planked and covered inside and out with epoxied fiberglass. These technologies did not exist 60 years ago. What defines traditional? Is it hull design? Is it materials? I had three fiberglass figure 72 Whitehalls by Jim Thayer. Were they traditional?
Does it matter? They looked good. They were wholesome and a pleasure to row and sail. I believe that is the real issue.
One difference between modern and traditional boats is that traditional boats can be made of modern materials, but modern boats can't be made out of traditional materials. And modern materials generally cost more.
I love the Welsford line about caricature of classic designs. His Pathfinder really touches my heart precisely because of its subtle emphasis on classic lines. I hadn't really thought about it in those terms, but the designer's genius was to dream up a modern boat of classic proportions.
I enjoy traditional archery and traditional muzzleloading guns, and the same arguments seem to be voiced. Is a longbow or recurve made with a wood core and fiberglass really traditional, especially when it doesn't conform to what was made by native Americans, or something used in the middle ages? There are those who say no, and others who say that as long as it doesn't have wheels like a compound bow, it IS traditional. My take on it is that it depends on "what floats your boat." If you feel that a fiberglass boat with aluminum or carbon fiber spars and Dacron sails is traditional, why, it sure is. If someone else says it might look traditional but it really isn't, that is their reality.
I find the timing of this article suspect, as I criticized one of Jerry's most endearing designs just yesterday when referring to my own Montgomery 17. I stated I loved everything about the boat, except for those things above the sheer line. As designed she had a traditional looking hull with simulated planks that not only made her look like an instant classic, but also increased hull strength to go with her stub keel, centerboard, and fast design.
It was her cabintop and cockpit that I hate. That lovely "traditional" looking hull topped by a streamlined and aerodynamic looking cabin top that looks more designed to be easy to remove from it's mold. Same with the cockpit. It's a design that seems to work well on the little M17, but I would be happier with a more squared off cabin top and real wood combings.
So yes, I criticized his design yesterday on how it is not traditional enough and here we are today, reading about Jerry and his feelings on traditional boats. Somehow I feel to blame for this article appearing today.
I just finished machining some Osage Orange mast hardware for the wooden mast on the Whitehall. The hull shape is developed from figure 72 in American Small Sailing Craft. Does this make it traditional? Mebbe.
The hull is strip planked and covered inside and out with epoxied fiberglass. These technologies did not exist 60 years ago. What defines traditional? Is it hull design? Is it materials? I had three fiberglass figure 72 Whitehalls by Jim Thayer. Were they traditional?
Does it matter? They looked good. They were wholesome and a pleasure to row and sail. I believe that is the real issue.
One difference between modern and traditional boats is that traditional boats can be made of modern materials, but modern boats can't be made out of traditional materials. And modern materials generally cost more.