Is this a fin keel Caprice Mk V? She looks about the same
size, but her cabin top is more streamlined and her transom and associated
coaming appear to have been modified. Whatever she is, she looks pretty able.
I would appreciate your input.
Links
Caprice 19 – A Robert Tucker Pocket Cruiser
Caprice – A Robert Tucker bilge keel yacht
Caprice Mk 1 ‘Shrimpy’
Caprice 19 - Sailboat Data.com
Caprice ‘Capri’
Robert Tucker
Twin-keeler – More on Caprices
Twin-keeler – Caprice in Spain
Twin-keeler - Another Mystery Boat
Shrimpy: a 18 foot Robert Tucker designed boat that sailed
around the world
Robert Tucker Caprice for sale on 19 July 2011 (Details and
photos)
Caprice (Yachting Monthly)
Robert Tucker Carpice - Sold
Caprice - Sold
Shane Acton
C. E. Clark (Cowes) Ltd.
This is certainly a nice little yacht and with her fin keel should sail well to windward, but for looks I think I like the more quirky looking Caprice 19 that you have already blogged about - Also despite the fact that one one these Tucker designs (Shrimpy) did a circumnavigation I think that these little boats come into their own in more Shoal waters. The Caprice 19 with her little bilge keels would do this job much better than a fin keeler.
ReplyDeleteBut it all depends on where you want to sail and of course 'Beauty is in the eye of the beholder'.
PS - I was looking recently at a 'Debutante Mk 1V' the other day - I liked her short, low, little trunk cabin. Some of these smaller boats are not quite as appealing if they have huge cabins with big windows.
My first boat was a Caprice mkV, bilge keel but it sailed quite well or maybe I didn't,t know any better in those days. It was tiny below, to use the toilet you had to stick your head out of the for hatch. Lots of fun and I learned a lot.
ReplyDeleteIt would be interesting to line up all the various 'Mark' versions of the Caprice to see how much they changed. The Debutante Mk 1V seems a long way from the original.
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ReplyDeleteBill, I have had an interesting time going through the links you have provided re the Caprice.
ReplyDeleteI see that there are some of these little boats for sale in GRP. I am not a great fan of GRP but I can see that old Robert Tucker designs built in plywood may have some rot in them if they haven't been maintained well.
Do you know anything about the strength of the GRP layup? (Solid glass based on woven rovings? balsa or foam core? etc)
How have the GRP hulls weathered over the years? any problems that you know of?
Alden,
ReplyDeleteI’m not an expert on GRP, but it has shown itself to be tougher and longer-lasting than at first thought. Many yachts constructed in the early 70’s are still going strong. Osmosis has been a problem with some, and crazing of the gelcoat has also been a problem. Osmosis is treatable by first drying the affected areas and taking back the gelcoat before applying several layers of epoxy. Crazing can be repaired, but it is time consuming, and the result is not always pleasing. Fibreglass boats seem to go on for ever, but things like plywood bulkheads can rot, and foam core between outer and internal skins can sometimes absorb water, leading to structural failure. This is prone to happen where there is compression loading, such as between the foot of a mast and its supporting rod. The same problem can occur where keels are attached to the hull. Water seepage in two part moulded rudders and encapsulated keels are other structures open to ingress where mouldings are not properly sealed. Ferrous metal structures supporting or strengthening rudders and keels are a recipe for disaster.
Cheers,
Bill.