Bill's Log

Monday, December 07, 2015

Scamp - John Welsford’s Incredible 11’ 11” Micro-cruiser

Brian’s recent comment with a link to John Welford's Long Steps* and a mention of John’s Scamp got me thinking about the latter. She’s a development of his Tread Lightly,** the plans of which John gave me in recognition of my work featuring his boats at my old Small Sailboats website. I liked Tread Lightly, but I opted to build Matt Layden’s Paradox instead, because the former was too beamy (5’ 5”) to fit in my garage and she was more complicated to build than Paradox. Furthermore, Paradox gave complete shelter from the elements and she was self-righting.

Scamp is simpler to build than Tread Lightly, but with a beam of 5’ 4” she is still too wide for building in a normal English garage - there just isn’t room for moving around to do the build.

Googling Scamp I have found a lot about her, and the more I read, the more I like her, but one thing I am not at all keen on is the fact that she can capsize and she is not self-righting! Watching the video of Howard Rice righting Scamp gave me the shivers. I also wondered if she would be as easy to right if she capsized with her starboard side down. I would like to see a video with that scenario.

Despite these minor reservations, I’m impressed. She would be an ideal boat for the sort of cruising done by the UK Dinghy Cruising Association, and she would meet their safety recommendations.

An experienced sailboat expert, Howard Rice,*** has built a highly modified Scamp with which he will attempt to explore the dangerous waters of Tierra del Fuego in Southern Chile. He is no stranger to this part of the world, having sailed and paddled a canoe around Cape Horn in both directions. He will set off on the great adventure in February 2016, and he will be filming a documentary, ‘Below 40 South’, in conjunction with Lutra Productions.**** He’ll be keeping a daily video diary as he ventures through the Straits of Magellan into the Southern Ocean.

*Long Steps:

http://jwboatdesigns.blogspot.co.nz/2015/10/the-new-boat-design-and-first-piece-of.html

**Tread Lightly:

http://jwboatdesigns.co.nz/plans/treadlightly/

***Howard Rice

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howard_Rice

****Below 40 South - an Adventure to be Shared

http://jwboatdesigns.blogspot.co.uk/2015/12/below-40-south-adventure-to-be-shared.html

Below 40 South

http://www.below40south.com/

More Links

Scamp Launches! - an Article by Josh Colvin

http://www.jwboatdesigns.co.nz

Scamp (Boat)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SCAMP_(boat)

Scamp Registry

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?ll=39.368279%2C-42.890625&spn=145.944866%2C222.890625&hl=en&msa=0&z=1&source=embed&ie=UTF8&mid=zo-uWhxCMpLA.kJXFhrBUo5qI

Scamp Active Capsize

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRZNWAkdkXM

Scamp Camps 2015

http://smallcraftadvisor.com/our-blog/?p=4302

Scamp - a New Genre of Sailboat

http://issuu.com/harbors/docs/harbors_winter2013_72/1?e=2053567/1027721

Scamp Forum

http://smallcraftadvisor.com/message-board2/viewforum.php?f=3

Scamp Sailboat

http://smallcraftadvisor.com/scamp-sailboat/

Scamp Facebook Page

https://www.facebook.com/SmallCraftAdvisorMagazineProject?ref=hl

Scamp Minimicro Cruiser Plans

http://smallcraftadvisor.com/s.c.a.m.p.-mini-microcruiser-11-11.html

S.C.A.M.P.

http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/10/designs/scamp/

Sea Trials John Welford's Scamp - Wooden Boat Forum

http://forum.woodenboat.com/showthread.php?122345-Sea-Trials-of-John-Welsford-s-SCAMP!

John Welford’s Scamp

http://dory-man.blogspot.co.uk/2010/11/john-welsfords-scamp.html

Dale’s Wonderful Scamp Build

http://middlething.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/welsford-has-certainly-captured.html

Gig Harbour Boats GRP Scamp

http://www.ghboats.com/boats/boats-12-to-8-ft/12-scamp/

Fiberglass Scamp by Gig Harbour Boats

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCxzoItgt5Y

Foresail 1 Launch

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmSQkwC2dMc

Scamp Dinghy Sailing

https://vimeo.com/channels/844775

John Welford’s Maiden Voyage in His Self-built Scamp

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMGN2V7zdZw

Scamp Update - The Tiller

http://www.sequimwadailyphoto.com/tag/scamp-by-john-welsford/

Scamp 243

http://woodnmetalguy.blogspot.co.uk

At less than 12 feet, SCAMP boat offers big features in a tiny package

http://threesheetsnw.com/blog/2011/10/at-less-than-12-feet-scamp-boat-offers-big-features-in-a-tiny-package/

Saturday, December 05, 2015

Faering Cruiser

This 22’ 6” Faering lugsail and rowing cruiser was designed by John Harris. Hull kits and plans for building her may be obtained from Fyne Boat Kits.* A hull kit will set you back £3,700, but it includes most things required for building the boat, except for her sliding rowing seat, balanced lugsail, skulls, paint and varnish,. Although assembled by using the stitch-and-glue method for quick construction with plywood, first-time builders are advised to gain experience before taking her on.

She may appeal to kayakers and rowers who have had a taste of sailing and who would like to try their hand at beach cruising, exploring lakes, rivers and estuaries. In this respect she offers secure dry stowage, room for over-night shelter without having to assemble a tent, and a good turn of speed. It is said she can attain 6 knots in 12 knots of wind. Water ballast and a pivoting centreboard should enable her to go well to windward, even in a force 4 to 5 when reefed.

To my mind she’s an exciting boat for a young, fit single-hander who wants a bit of an adventure. Building and sailing her would bring satisfaction and a sense of achievement. If I were younger I would definitely take on the challenge.

Note

You’ll require a road trailer, but you may be able to pick one up cheaply.

Stats

Length

6.9 m (22′ 6″)

Beam

1.5 m (58″)

Draught

200 / 900 mm (8″ / 36″)

Weight

295 kg (650 lb)

Load

250 kg (550 lb)

Sail Area

11.6 m² (125 sq ft)

Links

*Faering Cruiser

http://www.fyneboatkits.co.uk/plans/sailing/faering-cruiser/

Faering Cruiser - CLC Boats

http://www.clcboats.com/shop/boats/wooden-sailboat-kits/sliding-seat-rowing/clc-faering-cruiser.html

Boat Design Quarterly No 42 (Shows Sail Plan and Hull Profile)

http://cdn.woodenboatstore.com/downloads/BDQ_42_Sampler.pdf

The Wooden Boat Forum - Two Faerings for Sail and Oar

http://forum.woodenboat.com/archive/index.php/t-160107.html

Nos Bateaux - Faering Cruiser

http://www.arwenmarine.com/BateauxFC.html

Wednesday, December 02, 2015

Shell Boats Schooner 18 and Others

Schooner 18

Schooner 18c

Because of a posting at Dylan’s Keep Turning Left website* my attention has been drawn to the Shell Boats range of shallow draught sailing craft. Shell Boats offer finished boats, plans and kits for the full range, from their smallest ‘Leif 7’ dinghy to their largest ‘Schooner 21’. Their larger craft from 18’ to 21’ have aft cabins and spacious cockpits, facilitating anchoring, rowing and good access to a beach.

Links

*Shell Boats Schooner 18

http://www.keepturningleft.co.uk/blogs/shell-boats-schooner-18/

Shell Boats Schooner 18 Website

http://www.shellboats.com/sb_schooner_18.html

Wooden Boat Forum - Shell Boats Schooner 18

http://forum.woodenboat.com/showthread.php?125368-Shell-Boats-Schooner_18

Shell Boats 18 and Leif 8 Boat Boat Kits Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZvSWaFklO8

Small Craft Advisor - Plan Study Schooner 18

http://digitaleditions.walsworthprintgroup.com/article/Plan+Study%3A+Schooner+18/505379/0/article.html

Shell Boats Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/shellboats

Wooden Boat Kits shellboats.com

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/499618152387889655/

Shell Boating - Schooner 18c Takes on the Isles of Shoals

http://shellboating.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/schooner-18c-takes-on-isles-of-shoals.html

Shell Boats Schooner 18 Laps Shot Gallery

http://www.lapseshot.com/shell-boats-schooner-18.html

Monday, November 30, 2015

Cornish Cormorant Sailing and Cruising Dinghy

Once again, I’m grateful to a follower of this blog for pointing me to a small sailboat website, namely that of Liz Baker’s Cormorant sailing dinghy pages.* She is a longstanding member of the Dinghy Cruising Association who has organised many or their South Coast gatherings. She has owned and cruised a Cormorant dinghy for a number of years, during which time she has learnt a great deal about getting the best out of her little boat.

You can learn a lot by reading what she has to say on the topics of cruising, launching, recovering, rigging, reefing and camping aboard her little boat.

Links

*Cormorant Dinghy

http://www.solentsoundings.org/Cormorant_Home.html

New 12’ Cornish Cormorant

http://www.cornishcrabbers.co.uk/dinghy-series/cormorant-12/

Cormorant Owners’ Forum

https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/cormorantowners/info

Cormorant 12 - Sailboatdata

http://sailboatdata.com/viewrecord.asp?class_id=5221

Cormorant Catboat

http://councill.home.mindspring.com/sbjournal/cormor/corm3.html

Cormorant Dinghy

http://www.pixstel.com/cormorant-dinghy_urlt10765.php?db=2

YBW Cornish Cormorant Forum

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?369402-Cornish-Cormorant-catboat-dinghy

Dinghy Cruise to Shipwreck Beach (Tony Smith with a Cormorant Dinghy)

http://creeksailor.blogspot.co.uk/2010/06/dinghy-cruise-to-shipwreck-beach.html

2010 Cornish Cormorant £7,950

http://www.finedesign-marine.co.uk/2010-cormorant-dinghy.html

Cornish Cormorant at Ebay - Asking £3,350

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Cornish-Crabbers-Cormorant-Sailing-Dinghy-Day-Boat-Yacht-Trailer-Sailer-/221949913984?hash=item33ad3eeb80:g:mSQAAOSw7FRWVHYo

1987 Cornish Crabbers Cormorant for Sale £3,350 (Same boat as above)

http://sailingdinghies.apolloduck.co.uk/boats.phtml?id=176&mi=4707

Morecambe Bay - Cormorant Cruising Dinghy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=7&v=l5nsOBnCy2Y

Cormorant Cruising Dinghy at Morecambe Bay

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h51LF6dhYug

Dinghy Cruising Association

http://dinghycruising.org.uk

Cornish Crabber Cormorant (Sold, but good photos)

http://essex.boatshed.com/cornish_crabber_cormorant-boat-116346.html

Saturday, November 28, 2015

Getting a Little Dinghy or a Little Dingy?

There are a number of ‘silly’ seasons throughout the year, and we are soon approaching one - the Festive Season, known by some as Christmas, and by others, as Yule, or Yuletide. It’s a time when people go bonkers - a time of mass hypnosis, when millions are compelled to buy gifts for one another. No matter how hard they try to evade the irresistible compulsion, they fail.

Willing participants of hypnosis, we can be sucked in by commercial media, subliminal images, and tempting TV advertisements that are made more compelling by the inclusion of seductive soundbites. We scratch our heads and ponder what gifts to give. It is easy to succumb, but some recipients are impossible cases. Despite being hypnotised, we can think of nothing that can be be of use to them, because they have everything. Instead, for men, we offer them socks, slippers or pyjamas, and for women, we give them vanity cases, chiffon scarfs, mascaras and Boots vouchers!

Christmas morning dawns, and children go mad. Santa Claus is quickly forgotten. They tear open parcels, create chaos, shriek with pleasure, or turn up their noses because they are discontented with what they have. Then it’s time for the adults. They feel or shake their wrapped gifts in the hope of guessing their nature. Slowly and carefully they remove the packaging to reveal the truth. When it’s not what they had hoped, they find it hard to conceal their disappointment. They flounder for words when they gaze at their ninth pair of gloves, their tenth bottle of bubblebath and their fifth packet of deodorant. They force false smiles of satisfaction, or on rare occasions beam with evident joy, because a useful gift has been given, or it is an article of real quality matching their taste.

Last Christmas I held a wrapped gift, the nature of which I tried to ascertain by feeling and gently shaking it. I correctly deduced that whatever it was, was contained within a small cardboard box. Firstly, I removed the wrapping paper, then I opened the lid. Inside there was a bone china mug that had been manufactured for Nauticalia of London. Made for a right-handed person, it had to the left of the handle, a sepia coloured transfer portraying a dinghy being sailed at sunset. Above this symbolic image representing the end of the day, (and perhaps the end of life) were the words, Good Sailors never grow old, and below it, they just get a little dinghy.

The more I pondered these words, it dawned on me, they contained a mischievous pun. Instead of reading, ‘they just get a little dinghy’, the last word became ‘dingy’, which according to the Oxford dictionary means ‘gloomy and drab’. There could be a truism in it. Therefore, every time I drink from the mug, I am reminded that I should smile, and thank God for what His Son has done for me. Though I shall die, I shall never grow old - despite the fact that I have a dinghy!

John 3:16

Thursday, November 26, 2015

Wayfarer Dinghy Cruising

if you are a member of the dinghy cruising fraternity you will have heard of Frank Dye, who, with Russell Brockbank in 1963, sailed a Wayferer dinghy from Kinlochbervie, Scotland to the Icelandic Island of Heimaey. That’s a trip of over 600 miles across open water. The following year, he and Bill Brockbank - not related to Russell - sailed the same Wayfarer from Scotland to Norway via the Faroe Islands. Gales were encountered on both passages, the worst being a force 9 during the Norwegian passage. The Wayfarer capsized, and her mast was broken, but after temporary repairs Frank and Bill made it to land. This was a remarkable feat of survival and endurance.*

I am convinced that there are few dinghy cruising sailors who would willingly undertake open sea passages of this nature. Without a doubt, the majority prefer camp-cruising on rivers, lakes, lochs, and estuaries, but some like coastal cruising, which can be a bit more adventurous. On occasions, any camp cruising can become challenging enough when the unexpected happens, perhaps a turn of the weather bringing fog, or a change of wind direction, or stronger winds than forecast, or even calms.

Frank Dye’s exploits helped popularise the Wayfarer, particularly for cruising. She has become the iconic cruising dinghy. She’s very popular with members of the Dinghy Cruising Association. Only today, via an email, my attention was drawn to three YouTube videos featuring a Wayfarer in Scottish waters. (First to third link inclusive.)

Links

Wayfarer Dinghy Cruise - Scotland, May 2013

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofUBn15QGFs

Wayfarer ‘Shuna’ Cruise - Scotland, May 2014

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNk1tIRFtyY

Dinghy Cruise - Wayfarer ‘Shuna’ - Scotland May 2015

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hqPCw_5L6Y

*Summer Cruise 1964 (Frank Dye - Scotland to via the Faroes Norway

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0yh_btiNIk

Wayfarer Dinghy

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/wayfarer-dinghy.html

Frank Dye

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Dye

Wayfarer, Wanderer - a Dinghy owned by Frank and Margaret Dye

http://www.nmmc.co.uk/index.php?/collections/featured_boats/wayfarer_wanderer_-_a_dinghy_owned_by_frank_margaret_dye

Bill Brockbank talks about his trip to Norway with Frank Dye

http://wayfarer.org.uk/bill-brockbank-talks-about-his-trip-to-norway-with-frank-dye/

Around Britain in a Wayfarer - Ludo Bennett-Jones

http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/around-britain-in-wayfarer-ludo-bennett.html

Sunday, November 22, 2015

Clipper Round the World Yacht Race

Yachting is a very broad church. Those who take part in this sport are diverse, ranging from the loner who choses his particular modus operandi, perhaps sailing a ditch-crawler PD (Puddle Duck) Gorfnik,* to the highly competitive, super-human, who can only be satisfied by racing the latest high-tech yacht, to boot, around the world. In between, there are dinghy sailors who race or cruise, yachtsmen and yachtswomen who love pottering, day sailing, and cruising, and those who engage in a host of other sailing activities, involving both amateurs and professionals alike.

The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race attracts people who want to be tested to the limits of their endurance, and yet, according to the organisers, they are,‘ordinary, everyday people’. They say there is no need for a background of sailing - applicants must have a desire to join a group adventure, and be part of a highly competitive team who will face difficult and very testing conditions as they race around the world aboard a purpose-built 70’ yacht.

There is a vigorous training programme for potential participants who can elect to join one or more legs of the race - or even race all the way round the world. Twelve, virtually identical yachts, are skippered by competent professional sailors whose task, along with specialists at the outset, is to train and prepare crews for their arduous adventure. Having been trained, the yachts and their crews are tested by competing in a six day offshore race before taking part in the real thing.

Commitment, strength, endurance and team spirit are essential, not just to win, but to bring yachts home safely. There are point penalties for loss of gear, sails, and damage to equipment; therefore skippers and watch leaders have to ensure their yachts are being sailed without taking undue risks. Sadly, shortly after the start of his year’s race, a yachtsman, Andrew Ashman, aboard CV 21, was fatally injured. This was the first and only fatality since the inception of the Race in 1995. The Race is not without risk.

As I write, the leading yacht of leg 3, LMAX Exchange, is only a few hours away from the Wardan Whip finish line, SW Australia.

*PD Gorfnik: https://www.dropbox.com/s/gueen5ugn2i938w/Gorfnik%20Book%20as%20of%209-30-2015.pdf?dl=0

Links

Clipper Round the World Race

http://clipperroundtheworld.com

Clipper Round the World Race - Facebook

https://twitter.com/ClipperRace

Clipper Round the World Race - Competition hottng up

http://www.sail-world.com/Clipper-Round-the-World-Race---Competition-hotting-up/140222

Action footage from Old Pulteney during Atlantic Ocean crossing to Rio de Janeiro

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnos9WUr_X4

Clipper Round the World Yacht Race

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clipper_Round_the_World_Yacht_Race

British Sailor dies in Clipper Round the World Race freak accident

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/sailing/11846310/British-sailor-dies-in-Clipper-Round-The-World-Race-freak-accident.html

British Crew Member Dies in Clipper Round the World Race

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/sep/05/british-crew-member-dies-clipper-round-world-race

Clipper Round the World Yacht Race Launches in London

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-34100639

Clipper Ventures PLC

http://www.clipper-ventures.com

Saturday, November 21, 2015

Small Trimarans, including the Edel 22

Edel 22

Hobie Tandem Adventure Island

Mill Creek

Little Wing 15.5

WindRider

Because of my blog there are a number of people who email me telling of their experiences with small sailing boats. Some also seek advice or offer theirs. Now and again they refer to websites containing pertinent information. A few readers of the blog have become Cyberspace friends, and because of our shared boating interests we have met in person for further discussion.

A couple of days ago I was replying to an email on the subject of converting sailing dinghies into trimarans, and the thought occurred to me that readers of the blog may also be interested; therefore I’m reproducing a highly amended version here, along with added links to trimaran websites.

The Email

Dear …………..,

I had a look at the websites. (i.e., those suggested by the sender.)

A thing that concerns me about sailing my Pike skiff is the possibility of capsizing her. With my condition of Raynaud’s disease, capsizing could prove fatal, but it is a risk I take.

Converting her into a trimaran by adding cross-beams and amas would reduce the chances of her capsizing. In practice, fitting cross-beams and amas prior to launching, and removing them after afterwards, would take a fair amount of time. I would also have to transport them to and from the launching site. As it is, I find ‘Pike’ almost more than enough to launch, because she is nose-heavy on her launching trolley. For these reasons I have dismissed the idea of converting her into a trimaran.

As I see it, there are two advantages trimarans have over monohulls: 1 They are usually more stable, and 2, They are often faster.

Their disadvantages, especially if they are trailer-sailers, are: 1 Setting them up at the launching site - off or on the water. 2 Coming alongside and mooring to a pontoon or jetty is not easy. 3 Unless they have stable trampolines or decks, getting on or off when moored to a jetty or a pontoon can be problematical. 4 They are not as handy as monohulls for sailing between boats on moorings and when there are tight situations, such as marinas and narrow rivers or canals.

Trimarans are generally better kept on permanent moorings, and they come into their own when sailing on open water. They are speedy passage makers.

I’ve never owned one, but I wish I had.

When I was cruising the Bay of Biscay with my friend Bill, aboard his Eventide 26, I was invited to sail an Edel 22* trimaran. She was tremendously exciting, on account of her speed, but very tricky to manoeuvre in the marina - even when being propelled by her outboard. This was not just because of her wide beam, but because of wind drift.

Below, you’ll find a number of links to articles referring to the Edel 22 and other small trimarans.

Cheers,

Bill.

Links

*Edel 22 Trimaran as mentioned in Cruise of the ‘Ishani’, a 26’ Eventide - Part 11: http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/cruise-of-ishani-26-eventide-part-11.html

Edel Tri 22 winds 25-30: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqzAUopFPdg

Edel Tri 22: http://www.nauticaltrek.com/8388-edel

Edel Tri 22 for Sale in Murcia Spain for 13,200€ : http://www.inautia.com/used-boat-49605020140748675450676766494567.html

Edel Tri 22 for Sale for 15,000€ : http://www.nauticaguardamar.com/product.php?id_product=55&id_lang=1

Hobie Mirage Trimaran: http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2010/03/hobie-mirage-tandem-trimaran.html

WindRider 16 Trimaran: http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2010/01/windrider-16-trimaran.html

Hobie Island Adventure Trimaran: http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2010/01/hobie-island-adventure-trimaran.html