New Boat 4 Sled

[BobJ]

I looked for the results on Jibeset but alas, no love there for the Anacortes Workboat races.

Thanks for the posts Sled - I'm chained to my desk with 9/15 due date stuff. At least I get my boat back tomorrow. BTW they sure turn those Matson ships around quickly. Rags-the-Lesser arrived aboard the MOKIHANA last night about 1830 and the ship was sailing back out the Gate early this morning. I hope they remembered to offload my boat.

 

[sleddog]

Here in Port Townsend you don't have to go very far for a delicious meal of sailing history. Just tied up alongside WILDFLOWER is the Campari green 6 meter SAGA, designed and built by Bjarne Aas in Fredrikstad, Norway in 1936, and probably the prettiest and one of the fastest 6 meters ever built.

SAGA has SF Bay connections, and was owned and raced by Myron Spaulding 1939-1940. She is the progenitor of the IOD Class, and the Shields Class, on which I taught sailing for many years.

Overhangs. If you don't like overhangs, best avoid the pictures of SAGA.
http://www.6mrnorthamerica.com/saga.html

For more 6 meters, here's a nest of them: http://www.6mrnorthamerica.com/pugetsound.html

On the roll call above, many SF Bay sailors will remember USA 100, St.FRANCIS V, designed by Gary Mull and built for St Francis Yacht Club. No expense was spared to create the perfect boat for Tom Blackaller to win the first International 6 Metre World Cup in 1973 in Seattle. http://www.6mrnorthamerica.com/

 

[sleddog]

The 6 Meter SAGA left Port Townsend early this morning, outbound for the Victoria Wooden Boat Festival, across the Straits of Juan de Fuca. They've got a 2 horse power Honda outboard hanging off that lovely transom, and it pushes them right along. That is how easy a 35 foot LOA, 9,000 pound, 6 meter slips through the water.

6 Meters are pretty much dead opposite in design to our 800 pound cat WILDFLOWER. 6 meters are designed to the old International Rule. They are narrow, heavy, over canvased, point high and love to go to windward And they dig a hole in the water downwind at any speed over seven knots.

6 Meters are just plain lovely to look at. But you won't see many 6 Meters sailing on San Francisco Bay. They are "lead mines," "submarines," and go through waves, not over. A 6 Meter on San Francisco Bay in a summer time afternoon breeze would likely fill, and sail under.

That three story large building in the background of the photo of SAGA is the Northwest Maritime Center, sponsor of the Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival. They take sailing, and wooden boat building seriously in these parts.

 

[BobJ]

. . . I hope they remembered to offload my boat.

Indeed they did - there in a row at Matson were ARCHIMEDES, LIBRA, JACK, RAGS, LIL' ANGEL, ELISE and BANDICOOT, looking like they'd been sharing Hawaii stories and sipping leftover Mai Tais.

Man it's great to have my boat back after a month. Jay Butler carefully hauled her to Berkeley Marina and Cree and his great team at BMC stepped her mast and got her back in the water in short order. Now the clean-up begins . . .

 

[Philpott]

Jay Butler carefully hauled her to Berkeley Marina and Cree and his great team at BMC stepped her mast and got her back in the water in short order. Now the clean-up begins . . .

Hauled to a marine yard, stepped and put into the water all in the same day? On a Friday before Labor Day? That's what comes of working with an insider.

 

[Wylieguy]

The reference to "Saga" brings up Briggs Swift (always liked that middle name) Cunningham's "Lulu" (named for his Standard Oil-connected first wife Lucy Bedford) which is also up in the NW. My initial love affair with Cunningham centered on his race cars, however. As a young kid I fancied racing cars over boats since I grew up far away from sailing water. I followed Cunningham's career and car designs in magazines and newsreels, drawing countless pictures and carving blocks of balsa into replicas - including one I bored a hole in the aft end (of the car) and inserted a CO2 fizz cartridge which, when punctured by a nail driven in, scooted down the street for 50 yards or so, usually flipping over in a Grand Prix style accident. I don't know how many miniature Grand Prix drivers, with their little round white helmets sticking up out of the cockpit I "killed" that way. Little did I know I'd be adjusting my "Cunningham" numerous time during each race when I'd given up four wheels for a hull. "Lulu" was built by Nevins in NY and a nephew, Bert Nevins, peddled college textbooks in N. California, so we had ample opportunities to sit around and talk sailing after the selling was ended. He was old enough to remember "Lulu's" launch and even had a chance to do a shakedown sail with Cunningham.

 

[sleddog]

ELAINE: Tnx for the recall of Briggs S. Cunningham and his 6 meter LULU. Here are some more pics of LULU. Note the Herreshoff green bottom, reputed to be the fastest color for bottom paint back in the day. http://www.6mrnorthamerica.com/lulu.html

Briggs Cunningham lived two doors up from my grandparents on Harbor Island in Newport Beach. His faux stern wheeler LAURA, named after his wife of 40 years, was side tied at the dock, and blocked my grandparent's sunset. Comments were rarely favorable at the dinner table.

Cunningham was skipper of the 12 meter COLUMBIA in 1958. She underwent rigorous trials against WEATHERLY, EASTERNER, and the sentimental favorite, VIM. Then later in the summer of '58, COLUMBIA successfully defended the America's Cup against the hapless Brits on SCEPTRE. Briggs Cunningham was a very good sailor, and we remember him each time we pull on our "Cunningham" to adjust the luff tension of the main.

 

[sleddog]

Outside WILDFLOWER's bedroom window here at Port Townsend lies the junction of Admiralty Inlet and the Straits of Juan de Fuca. It is a choke point for vessel traffic as big ships and small make their turns into the appropriate north and south bound traffic lanes.

In the evenings, the Alaska bound cruise ships come by. After dark, they are lit up like cities. Which they are. Though not my cup of tea, cruise ships are notable. The CELEBRITY SOLSTICE, at 1041 feet, is passing now. "Huge" would be an understatement. 3,000 passengers, and 1,500 crew is a big number.

CELEBRITY SOLSTICE advertises her upper most deck is a well manicured lawn (real grass) and you can cruise to Alaska and "enjoy casual outdoor activities in a decidedly Country Club atmosphere, and let the grass between your toes take you places no cruise has gone."

Say what?

 

[BobJ]

I've heard of grass taking you places but it was a different kind of grass.

Jackie - no insider treatment that I know of - just great communication among the team and a long day of labor for me. Rags is still at BMC so swing on by.

 

[sleddog]

This afternoon I visited the NW Maritime Center's Bridge Simulator, and got to "drive" some big ships, using visual, radar, and chart plotter, as well as engine and rudder controls.

First up was skippering a 100' Coast Guard Cutter along the Seattle waterfront. The Simulator likes to introduce right-of-way situations with oncoming traffic. I got the CG Cutter safely down to the Duwamish waterway, where the containerships, including Matson, are berthed. Then appeared, directly ahead, a man in the water apparently in trouble. Back port engine, full ahead starboard. We swung around. But I lost sight of the man in the water. And I couldn't find any means on the simulator to launch a RIB with a recovery crew.

OK, so after that practice the instructor plugged in a containership entering San Francisco Bay in Force 8 wind and cross sea. The ship was rolling heavily, and I was feeling woozy as I spun the helm, attempting to stay in the inbound traffic lane without ramming the South Tower of the Golden Gate.

I got the ship in the Bay OK, and we cruised down the City Front at 11 knots SOG, headed towards Oakland. I could even see Blackaller Buoy on the Simulator screen outside the "starboard window."

As we passed the Embarcadero, I waved at my sister on the 26th floor of #3 Embarcadero.

We steamed under the Bay Bridge and I altered to port to approach the Alameda Estuary Channel. But I under corrected the helm, and the R "2A" buoy appeared directly ahead, not off to starboard where it should have been.

As the buoy scraped down the starboard side of the ship I said to the instructor, "there's gonna be some damage to that buoy, who pays?" He just grinned.

Somehow we didn't run aground, as the ship was right on the edge of the channel. Sweat was running on my brow. As we pulled abeam the Oakland Terminals I needed a break. Driving this simulator was a heck of a lot more difficult than steering Bob J's RAGTIME with it's old rudder.

 

[BobJ]

You'll have to try the new one.

Your photos reveal the control problem: no tiller!

 

[Gamayun]

This afternoon I visited the NW Maritime Center's Bridge Simulator, and got to "drive" some big ships, using visual, radar, and chart plotter, as well as engine and rudder controls.

First up was skippering a 100' Coast Guard Cutter along the Seattle waterfront. The Simulator likes to introduce right-of-way situations with oncoming traffic. I got the CG Cutter safely down to the Duwamish waterway, where the containerships, including Matson, are berthed. Then appeared, directly ahead, a man in the water apparently in trouble. Back port engine, full ahead starboard. We swung around. But I lost sight of the man in the water. And I couldn't find any means on the simulator to launch a RIB with a recovery crew.

OK, so after that practice the instructor plugged in a containership entering San Francisco Bay in Force 8 wind and cross sea. The ship was rolling heavily, and I was feeling woozy as I spun the helm, attempting to stay in the inbound traffic lane without ramming the South Tower of the Golden Gate.

I got the ship in the Bay OK, and we cruised down the City Front at 11 knots SOG, headed towards Oakland. I could even see Blackaller Buoy on the Simulator screen outside the "starboard window."

As we passed the Embarcadero, I waved at my sister on the 26th floor of #3 Embarcadero.

We steamed under the Bay Bridge and I altered to port to approach the Alameda Estuary Channel. But I under corrected the helm, and the R "2A" buoy appeared directly ahead, not off to starboard where it should have been.

As the buoy scraped down the starboard side of the ship I said to the instructor, "there's gonna be some damage to that buoy, who pays?" He just grinned.

Somehow we didn't run aground, as the ship was right on the edge of the channel. Sweat was running on my brow. As we pulled abeam the Oakland Terminals I needed a break. Driving this simulator was a heck of a lot more difficult than steering Bob J's RAGTIME with it's old rudder.

THAT sounds like the coolest thing!

 

[Philpott]

Skip, you look like a twelve year old with a new video game.

 

[sleddog]

There's a family of (river) otters living under the dock here at Pt. Hudson Marina. They appear at sunset to tumble and slide on the dock, squeaking enthusiastically. Good entertainment. Mt Rainer, distance 99 miles southeast, shows alpenglow on its snow capped slopes.

"Turn left into the gate with the red catamaran in the driveway." I rode my bike yesterday to visit boat building friend Russell Brown at his PT Watercraft Shop.
Russell is an all around good guy, always ready to share his extensive knowledge and experience of composite construction, glue, rigging, and proas. Especially proas. Russell's JZERRO is probably the fastest boat in the Pacific NW. It tacks by reversing the bow for stern.

http://www.ptwatercraft.com/ptwatercraft/Welcome.html

Starship to Oceania, by Steve Callahan, tells the story of JZERRO sailing to the South Pacific, and is worth a read. http://www.stevencallahan.net/images/publications/proa-oceania.pdf

Santa Cruz boatbuilders, in the era of ultralights, mostly worked out of abandoned chickencoops. Russell's shop in Port Townsend continues that tradition. At PT Watercraft Russell assembles beautiful nesting dinghy kits, as well as a "Grasshopper." I could try and describe a "Grasshopper." (photo below) But you'd have to see it to believe this "Pie in the Sky" innovation Russell and Ashlyn have cruised thousands of miles in.

 

[sleddog]

Buzz around the waterfront here at Port Townsend is the recently announced, winner take all, $10,000 prize, "Race to Alaska" being launched 8 a.m. June 4, 2015, by its sponsor, the Northwest Maritime Center.

"It's like the Iditarod, on a boat,. with a chance of drowning."

http://racetoalaska.com/about/

Open to any person or crew to sail, row, or paddle 750 miles from Port Townsend to Ketchikan, AK, you may not carry any type of motor, not even if it is "sealed."

This is no WaterTribe Everglades Challenge. Likely a much more difficult challenge navigationally, and weather wise. If you bivy on shore along the way, be aware this is grizzly country.

Russell Brown and I agree sailing would likely be the best bet to win, taking the "outside" route. But before you dream of entering your Moore 24, Express 27, SC-27, O-30, or J-92, consider there are tidal "gates," narrow passages, and sections of light air where rowing or paddling would be of benefit.

I have a 14' oar I can loan you.

Second place in the "R2AK" wins a set of steak knives.

 

[BobJ]

Since you tossed "J-92" in there . . . I could use a set of steak knives but my boat has a motor.

Seymour Narrows is a check point so that requires an "inside" route right?

I'd like to go the other way - clear into Port Hardy from a SHTP return and go down the back side of Vancouver Island. When I start seeing too many other boats I'll fetch the trailer and go home.

 

[H Spruit]

I can understand why sailors want to race to tropical destinations like Mexico, HAWAII, Tahiti.
I can almost see the attraction of the Everglades challenge.
I hold no effection for the Texas 200.
But a Race to Alaska......$10,000 is not enough money.
I would name it the IDIOT arod.
Sorry about that,
>H<

 

[Santana20Vixen]

Regarding the picture of you in the simulator.... Flash to Webster's "Kid in a candy store smile" So glad you kids are having such a great time!!!

 

[Dazzler]

Skip, We wish we were there. It's a special place with a special group. Your simulator pics remind me to attach a photo of Sue at the helm of the 5000 HP twin azimuthing drive tractor tug Delta Deanna.


Tom
P.S. Please say hello to L&L P. for me.

 

[chautauqua]

i just returned from the Port Townsend Wooden boat festival.. that kind of smile was all over my face while there. Hard not to look at all those beautiful wooden vessels without a big smile... better than candy any day. Thanks for the encouragement to get there, Skip.