Old Salt 15 Update
A quick update on the latest Old Salt 15 developments.
Although we started with an ultralight 2-piece carbon fiber mast we figured would be light enough to lift and drop into a mast box, several of you noted this might still be more difficult than you’d like, so we revised to a ramp or vault-style angled mast-box entry.
But after more feedback and a lot more consideration we decided, why not make this mast as easy as humanly possible to raise and lower—so simple that almost anyone should be able to do it? With that in mind Brandon has designed a mast-width slot down the centerline with a piano-hinged door.
Mastraising will look like this:
• Lay mast down in cockpit (note cutout in transom to keep mast from rolling away)
• Push foot into step (step details still be finalized)
• Walk ultralight mast up through cabintop slot
• Close door and pin mast just above cabintop
Done.
Note the cutaway “thigh hook” section remains for more secure standing near mast.
This system should be so effortless that even a child could raise and lower the mast—probably even on the water as needed.
A few of you asked whether the boat would dryout level—note the twin skegs added for that purpose.
Also note the newly refined, deep, angled and comfortable coamings.
We’re excited to announce the prototype will begin construction in a few days at the Northwest Maritime Center’s Boat Shop. The NWMC will also be announcing a Founders Build soon—a chance for a small group of builders to construct the first Old Salt 15s in Port Townsend over a few weeks in March. We’re still working on kit pricing, but if you’re a possible Founders Build candidate please drop me a note at josh@smallcraftadvisor.com and I’ll make sure you are kept in the loop. •SCA•
Since you are going to all the trouble of building a slot in the top, why not make it a real Bolger birdwatcher type slot (as others have suggested)? It would make so many things easier. Sure it may not look as shippy, but so much more practical. On my Michalak AF3, it was pretty easy to raise a 22’ solid wood mast with that cabin slot top. I’ve seen some very functional covers for the slot tops that still have a pretty clean look.
Other thoughts. Why are the seat flats continued into the cuddy? It is too low to use them as seats, and leaves the sheltered seating area rather constricted. With that cabin top, a normal adult will have to sit on the floor. Even using a porta-potty will need to be done in the cockpit anyway.
With the great beam and tall rig, it will sail like a cat boat. It is a cat boat. But you don't make a boat smaller by making it shorter. Any particular reason why the same displacement and hull weight wasn't made longer and narrower? It would be a less powerful sail boat, but as it stands, no one will want to row it for long. I foresee a lot of motor use.