For those of you who can’t get enough of the Cygnet 20, here’s a new photo of Al’s boat with the tent enclosure set.
Letter from reader Ron Newton regarding W17 “Retirement Boat:
Congratulations. Your decision to publish the excellent article by Jim Van Natta on an alternative approach to a retirement boat was instrumental in my decision to subscribe to SCA.
If I briefly describe my history you will understand why this article is so pertinent to my situation.
For the last 33 years, I have sailed, often singlehanded but accompanied by two dogs, a Dick Newick 46’ Three Cheers design which I carefully built in foam sandwich. In its day the original Three Cheers ably skippered by either Tom Follett or Mike McMullen proved to be one of the fastest ocean capable multihulls around, and after hundreds of thousands of miles in my hands the design has proved to be fast, sea-kindly and close winded, attributes associated with all designs by the legendary Dick Newick.
At the age of 77 I am now looking to downsize to something simpler and more manageable, something I can tow overland to my favourite sailing areas but there are requirements that for me are non negotiable.
In many eyes—mine included—multihulls are often ugly, but Newick’s possessed a universal elegance and any boat of mine has to look the part. The W17, with its low profile, elegant curved beams and modern rig, looks every part a modern ocean-racer in miniature and fits the bill handsomely.
Windward abilit is one of the most important qualities. A close-winded boat is the fastest, it opens up more destinations and can save hours at sea. Jim has described how well his W17 is able to sail upwind in surprisingly strong conditions for such a small boat.
I have camp cruised in my Solway Dory Shearwater sailing canoe with outriggers, and recently completed an Ian Oughtred dory, but neither can provide anything like the required sailing performance, comfort and safety of the W17.
I have ordered a W17 plywood kit from Fyne Boats and look forward to the build guided by the comprehensive instruction manual supplied by the designer Mike Waters.
Letter from André Bätz:
Yesterday I read your article from Jim van Natta about the small trimaran W17. We have a very lively trimaran or multihull community in Germany and the article was well noted. Thank you for publishing. Is there more content about trimarans in the future?
My background: 2015 I bought a used Farrier F82 and have taken the boat under a continuous speed optimization since then: now it has carbon homebuilt lifting C-foils, a homebuilt rotating wing mast (Mike Waters design) with a new optimized rig and last year I was happy to win a 930 nm race in the Baltic. (called Midsummersail) The competition was a bunch of bigger trimarans, potentially faster and with three crew members while I sailed singlehanded. I think I was driven by passion and adrenaline ;-)
I hope to sail my F82 for a long time still but when I need to downsize due to my age (61 now) then I will definitely build a W17.
Letter from Rick Pratt regarding Texas 200 article It’s a Hard Duck Life For Us:
I remember buzzing you guys and thinking I was happy that I was in the air and not down there with you.
I also remember motoring out to meet the fleet when you took a break on San Jose Island after clearing Port Aransas, and then watching the dolphins entertain us.
It was a good feeling knowing you had made it that far!
Ida Little checked in with this photo of Hugh Horton and friends becalmed on Sunday of the recent Cedar Key Small Boat Meet. •SCA•
Regarding Rick Pratt's trip out to meet the duck fleet at Port Aransas - he forgot to mention that he was serenading us with his bagpipes while motoring. What a welcome!
Regarding Ron Newton’s letter, right on! Anytime I see praise for Dick Newick, it warms my heart. Thrilled you sailed his design all those years and that your retirement vessel will follow his ideals and yours. Cheers to you!