Old Salt Sailing

Article by Josh Colvin | Photos by Marty Loken

The Old Salt 15 Founder’s Build continued at the Northwest Maritime Center last week, with builders moving expeditiously. By the time I left on Friday they had the topside planks and transoms in place, and the kits were really starting to look like boats.

Although the weather outside was mostly unpleasant, there was some wind mixed into the unsettled stew of cold rain and clouds, so Brandon and I took the opportunity to launch the prototype and sail up the Port Townsend waterfront.

WoodenBoat contributor Larry Cheek was in town doing a story on the Old Salt as well, so we shot him a text and he met us in the rain to see—and participate in—the Old Salt’s remarkably simple launch and rigging process. And yes, I used the words “launch” and “rigging” in that order intentionally, as the Old Salt doesn’t necessarily require any prep on her trailer. We backed her down, stepped aboard, and slid the two-piece mast and sail out of the bag. After pushing the mast halves together, we dropped the lightweight carbon-fiber mast into the cabin top’s “toaster slot,” pushed it forward with one hand, and closed the little wooden slot door to lock it in place.

We didn’t even bother to rig the sail yet, instead using the electric outboard (in a well) to push us easily out to open water. Eventually I went forward and attached the halyard and six soft-shackle-style hanks. Hoisting the sail requires little effort since there’s no weight from a yard or boom. Once fully up, we slip the downhaul hook into the tack grommet and the mainsheet hook into the clew grommet—and we were sailing.

Winds were fluky but rose to maybe six or seven knots in the gusts. Old Salt moved along effortlessly with three aboard—doing better than four knots for short stretches. She’s a remarkable boat too in that even without her water ballast she didn’t seem to notice where—or on which side—her crew sat in the comfortable cockpit.

But of all the boat’s virtues and promise, it was one subtle moment that left me most excited. As we sailed back and forth near the pier so builders could see her in action, I wandered into the shallower cove where the wind died to little more than a whisper. As we drifted slowly I wondered whether we’d be forced to use the motor to extricate ourselves from the maze of jagged pilings poking up around us. But I decided to give it a try, pushed the helm over, and attempted a low-speed tack. Even in that faint breeze the Old Salt responded, coming about and finding enough power to pull us out to open water. I wouldn’t have blamed the boat if it hadn’t managed the maneuver in those conditions, but I was thrilled to see that it could.

Despite the disagreeable weather, it was a great day of sailing—especially knowing a fleet of Old Salt sister ships is well on its way to completion.

I’m looking forward to the first fleet cruise. •SCA•