According to my dictionary, alacrity is a cheerful
readiness, promptness or willingness, and that sums up the essential character
of my friend’s boat which is a 19’ Alacrity. I met her for the first time last
Monday when he proudly introduced her me. She was snugly settled in the mud by
Walton Yacht Club, tethered to four mooring lines. As I looked at her she
reminded me of a faithful cocker spaniel waiting for her owner to take her for
an adventure.
Essentially, she’s a day sailer, come small coastal cruiser
for a crew of two. She actually has three berths, but I feel she would be crowded
when cruising with a complement of three. Nice touches are her furling
headsail, slab reefing main, twin backstays and mast tabernacle. She has two
Tufnell winches mounted on the coamings for working the foresail. She has the
security of a pulpit and sensible anchor stowage on the foredeck for easy
deployment. Two cabin top ventilators provide fresh air for the crew when they
are down below. A twin butane stove mounted almost amidships on the port side
is handy for cooking and for making hot drinks.
I’ve been invited for a sail on the Alacrity, and no doubt
when I get back from my forthcoming cruise with ‘Sandpiper’, my ‘C’ Type West
Wight Potter, I’ll be able to sample the delights of my friend’s boat.
Links
Alacrity 19
Hurley Owners’ Association –
Alacrity Gallery
http://www.hurleyownersassociation.co.uk/pages/alacritygallery.htm
Alacrity 19
http://sailboatdata.com/viewrecord.asp?class_id=102
Alacrity History
http://alacrity19.blogspot.com/2007/07/alacrity-history.html
Alacrity 19
http://sailboatdata.com/viewrecord.asp?class_id=102
Alacrity History
http://alacrity19.blogspot.com/2007/07/alacrity-history.html
Ped’s Outdoor Diary
The alacrity is one of the better boats from that period, small by modern standards especially down below, but to my eye the lines haven't dated as some more stylised boats and as you say makes a great low cost day sailer occasional weekender for one or two.
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