Gull, a Boston Whaler Harpoon 4.6

We almost got kicked out of the Old Bay Club last weekend. For a no dues, no officers, no rules jumble of boaters, suddenly there was no room for a plastic boat?! Some even asserted they could smell the fiberglass. If you ask me, I think the real issue was that “Gull”, my Boston Whaler moved a bit too spritely. She was the last to leave the marina, sailed against wind and tide up the James River and arrived at Chippokes alone until the other 5 boats (one a Bristol 35.5!) motored into harbor just before sunset. The group took a similar cruise 3 years ago. Thankfully the colorful peace we had found remained along with two pairs of bald eagles nesting in the cypress. The following day offered a dead calm return home.

The 4.6 was designed by C&C, Cuthbertson and Cassian. In particular, it was Robert Ball who designed this boat and many others for C&C, including a C&C 34 my father bought back in 1984. We raced that boat, “Elan”, in many Wednesday night races in Hampton Rodes and cruised to both Bermuda and Block Island from Norfolk, VA. I was unaware the old manufacturer of sailing school barges had ventured inti sailboats. However, the vintage lines of Gull immediately resonated with me when I discovered her maybe 24 hours after selling my “wife’s” Beetle Cat, “Camille“. It was time for another to continue that ongoing renovation. “Seller’s remorse” always arises when parting with a boat, but the resolution has never been so quick. I missed having a boat ready on the clothesline to sail along with the pup.

Found on Marketplace at the same price I sold Camille, curiosity won, negotiation was accepted and I dragged a dirty old plastic boat home from Annapolis. Crazy? Perhaps, but I have already gotten my money’s worth. Thankfully she came with a rugged custom cover, galvanized trailer and sails in good condition. Heck, the recent Harken jib furler alone cost more than the deal! (look at the justification brewing!) After a strong scrubbing, we hit the water. Immediately, I felt I had discovered something. She was stable, quick to the touch and reawakened childhood memories competing in Moths and Lasers. The trailer gained new lights, a keel support plank, tie-down strap and spar crutches. UNA’s latest tent was adapted, and we were ready just in time for our club sail.

Tested, Gull earned further improvements: All new running rigging, a wood tiller complete with new cork ball on old extension. The original aluminum tube tiller was terrible. Reef line with ties, hiking straps, three deck cleats, new pop rivets for hardware on spars, sails twice cleaned, a new centerboard case cap and some transom trim.

While the season is drawing to a close, we are still sailing. Perhaps I need to dig out the wetsuit? Always therapeutic, and so much fun. Some quick pics and video are compiled here:

On By eebe4In Harpoon 4.61 Comment

UNA Projects

UNA, like most boats, has an ongoing list of improvements. Most usually get kicked along, but an upcoming cruise got me motivated. The respite from the miserable July/August heat certainly helped too.

What are they? See below from most recent:

  1. A road cover. She deserved it after 11 years. Heavy duck canvass.
  2. A lighter, quicker tent fashioned from a rain fly with loads of eyelets, kiddie tent poles, miscellaneous plastic hooks and paracord.
  3. A repurposed cot, minus its legs, stretched between gunnels with webbing. works! Took a nap in the garage one day.
  4. Ganged floorboards port and starboard for easy access to the bilge. Now 3 bolts replace the some 50+ wood screws.
  5. An engine storage mount inside the boat. A couple mock ups led to the final.
  6. Widened cockpit seats. It’s amazing what an extra 3” has done in comfort.
  7. A bottomless box for the lazarette for organizing gear. Before, everything wanted to occupy the center of the bilge there.
  8. A repeater for the ammo battery box 12v meter and charge ports. The box is lashed under the aft deck now.
  9. New halyards and sheets using New England Ropes “Vintage”.
  10. A modified toilet flapper valve to protect boat from flopping main sheet block.
  11. Cam cleat for shock cord centerboard hold down.
  12. Galley box 3.0.

I feel like I’ve a new boat now! Will report on the success/ failure after our journey. Pics below-

1.cover material
1. Cover pinned
1. Cover done
2. Tent
2. Tent and 3. cot
3. cot detail
4. Floorboards
5. Engine mock up
5. Engine stored
5. Engine mount
6. Extended seat width
7. Lazarret box and 8. Repeater
8. Halyards/ sheets
10. Flapper valve reuse
1. Ctrbd cam cleat
12. Galley box 3.0

On By eebe4In Sooty Tern, UNA build & projects4 Comments

I’m Your Huckleberry

First sail of the year about a month ago now. My pup, Huck, has been before, but never for an overnight cruise. He was a delight. Somehow, he knew you bark at drones and when it was time for sleep, he did. No budging through the night. Amazing really. All the swimming and fetching wore him out. It did me too. A short video until next time …

On By eebe4In Sooty Tern, UNA sailing1 Comment

Salty Rendezvous

Little Bird, Huck and I met LB’s previous owner in Fishing Bay. Though we could have used more breeze, the temps were perfect. Lovely evening and good company. “Salty” was designed and built by a Matt Falcone. She is double sided glass over foam, 20′ on deck and a solid 5,000#. Beautiful under sail, Salty ghosts along. See for yourself here:

On By eebe4In Frances 26- LITTLE BIRD, Frances sailingLeave a comment

The Definite Maybes

Five boats went a cruising for 3 days. Catalpa, Nip, J’Olie, Little T and UNA. Consistent and persistent winds, but a great time. No bugs. Pleasant temps. Base camped out of Little Bay. Shrimp boil one night. Oysters and hot dogs another. Reefed UNA’s mizzen and doubled the foresail home. Awesome romp. See here:

On By eebe4In Sooty Tern, UNA sailing4 Comments

Galley Box 2.0

Last Fall I made a galley box for my daughter’s birthday. Added 1″ to width and depth of previous iteration. Bigger silverware drawer. Galvanized sheet metal liner. All an improvement. She gets credit for the photos and her thriving business, Folkling. I’m quite proud of her independent spirit. There are too many brain-glued people out there. She always has had a sense of wonder accompanied by a kind heart. Check out her store. Among their incredible vintage curations, they have a fine roast too!

Drawer and tray are removeable for a taller box windscreen.

Plenty of room for essential utensils.

Oak cleats secure top and front face.

I’ve considered making a few more to see what the market bears, but an old house and boats of course are always beckoning. Till next time-

On By eebe4In Uncategorized, Wood Things8 Comments

Mm-Hmm Full Moon

The temperatures moderated quite nicely this past week. Daytime highs in the low eighties. That accompanied with some fine breeze made for some quick overnighters in Little Bird. We’d leave the pier around 5;00 and return by 9:00 the next morning. Add a full moon one night and … can’t complain. Simple video here:

On By eebe4In Frances 26- LITTLE BIRD, Frances sailing1 Comment

10 Years After

“I’d love to change the world, but I don’t know what to do.”- 10 Years

Know that one? A tune can really yank you back in time. That summer I shared a Turnabout dinghy (aka a National 10) with David. We were 10 years old, took sailing class, but more often then not skipped out on the lessons part. His older brother Paul had a baby blue van with a prized Easy Boy in back with shag carpet floor. D and I would wrestle for that seat for the ride home. Why would you want shotgun? Of course there was an 8-track player and Paul had the music: Argent, the Guess Who, Creedance to name a few.

“I wanna know, have you ever seen the rain?”- Creedence

Paul had the look of a long haired hippie. Gentle guy. Think Gregg Allman. Not sure if good Paul subscribed to the movement, but I suspected he knew something was happening. We were brats at times. He put up with it. Can’t leave out D’s brother Charlie. His white van had a large American flag on the side. No chair or carpet as I recall. He did keep us in check better. We knew better than to push his buttons too far. Not sure about Paul, but Charlie went on to med school. David was lucky to have them both.

“Cause it’s a good life, too hard to lose.”- 10 Years

Well, that’s a bit off track. My daughter sent this post of hers from almost 10 years ago. That was UNA’s first season and we had taken her for her first overnight. Even behind Milford Haven’s barrier beaches it was a rolling bucking night at anchor. I had given my girl the cockpit and stuffed my little frame into the bow. Morning couldn’t come soon enough though I recall many shooting stars.

My daughter is an original, a good one. UNA has been a good boat. So, here we are, 10 years after.

“And if it’s bad, don’t let them get you down, you can take it.” -Argent

On By eebe4In Sooty Tern, UNA sailing4 Comments