Shavings Volume 6 Number 6 (November-December 1984)

SHAVINGS Newsletter of The Center for Wooden Boats - Vol. 6, N o . 6

CALENDAR OF

EVENTS

Friday, October 19 C W B M O N T H L Y MEETING 8 p.m., Waterway 4 An exciting film version of Erskine Childers' mystery, The Riddle of the Sands, will be shown. T h e film stars Michael Y o r k and it's thoroughly English, so bring your calabash pipe, a pint of bitters, dress in woolens and enjoy an evening of early 1900's adventure in the N o r t h Sea. Saturday, October 20 CAULKED & CANVAS DECKS WORKSHOP Port Townsend A one day workshop, starting at 9 a.m. at the N . W .

School of W o o d e n Boatbuilding; $18 fee. Details: (206) 385-4948.

Saturday, October 20 SHIP M O D E L S Museum of Sea & Ships, Seattle J i m G a s s visits the museum to talk about building model ships from plans. The museum is at Pier 59, on the Seattle waterfront. Details: (206) 628-0860.

October 22-27 CWB LAPSTRAKE WORKSHOP Waterway 4 Class filled, see Nov. 5-10 workshop, which may still have openings.

Saturday, November 3 SCRIMSHAW WORKSHOP 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Waterway 4 Still openings in class at press time; Kelly Mulford, instructor. For details, call 382 B O A T .

Saturday, November 3 ELECTROLYTIC ACTION WORKSHOP 9 a.m.-3 p.m.. Port Townsend Northwest S c h o o l of Wooden Boatbuilding; $18.

Details: (206) 385-4948.

November 4 & 11 OARMAKING WORKSHOP 10 a.m.4 p.m.. Waterway 4 Still openings in this class with Rich Kolin, Anacortes boatbuilder, who shows how to build oars designed by Pete Culler. Details: 3 8 2 - B O A T .

November 5-10 PRAM WORKSHOP 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. daily. Waterway 4 This workshop will be offered unless there is greater interest in the workshop described below, in which students would build a more complex boat. T h e pram is a lO-foot lapstrake Herreshoff design and the instructor is S i m o n Watts. Please call 3 8 2 - B O A T for details.

November 5-17 SAILING D I N G H Y W O R K S H O P 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. daily, Waterway 4 Students will build a 15-foot lapstrake sailboat if there is enough interest in this extended workshop. If not, the above-mentioned 10 foot pram workshop will be offered.

For the latest information, please call 3 8 2 - B O A T .

November 10 SONGS O F T H E SEA 8 p.m.. Museum of Sea & Ships A benefit concert (Pier 59), with wine, cheese and good music. Proceeds go to "Friends of the W a w o n a . " Friday, November 16 C W B M O N T H L Y MEETING 8 p.m., Waterway 4

Archie C o n n and C h r i s Cunningham have recently explored the wild, unsettled north end of Vancouver Island, using the Swampscott dory C h r i s built for Archie.

The pair will offer a slide talk on their adventures.

Saturday, November 17 D R Y R O T & REPAIR W O R K S H O P 9 a.m.-3 p.m.. Port Townsend N.W. School of Wooden Boatbuilding, $18. Details: (206) 385-4948.

November 18 & 25 COLD-MOLDING WORKSHOP Waterway 4 Class is filled.

Friday, December 14 C W B M O N T H L Y MEETING 8 p.m., Waterway 4 Marty Gauthier and Joe Frauenheim, hydroplane historians and restorers, offer a slide talk on the evolution of the three-point hydro design, engineering and structural developments of thunderboats from the beginning to present. A 1938 hydro will be on display in the C W B parking lot.

December 14-21 F O O D DRIVE C W B Boatshop, Waterway 4 A special effort to collect non-perishables for distribulion by the Fremont F o o d Bank. Please bring items to the Boatshop during this period.

December 21 CHRISTMAS PARTY 8 p.m.. Waterway 4 At the conclusion of the food drive, a gathering aboard the Wawona to decorate a Christmas tree and enjoy spiced wine and Christmas carols.

Every Sunday This Fall SEA STORIES & MUSIC Museum of Sea & Ships, Pier 59 Mary Ide and Stan James offer music and tales each Sunday from 2-4 p.m. For details: (206) 628 0860.

Boatbuilder's Notebook THANKS, JOHN

By Eric Hvalsoe "I like w o o d . " T h a t statement is a b o u t as s e n t i m e n t a l a s J o h n e v e r gets. T h a t , a n d t h e time s o m e o n e a s k e d h i m to c o m e out to the G r e a t L a k e s a n d build another batch of mines w e e p e r s . " N a h , " h e s a i d t o the c o m p a n y r e p r e -

- Nov-Dec, 1984 - $0.25

sentative, "I k i n d a have fun teaching here." C r o s s my h e a r t , I h e a r d h i m s a y it.

J o h n P o s s i n ( e m p h a s i s o n the last syllable) h a d t o fill s o m e big s h o e s w h e n J o e T r u m b l y r e t i r e d as boatbuilding instructor at L . H . Bates in T a c o m a . F o r his e n e r g y a n d e n t h u s i a s m , J o e i s s o m e t h i n g of a l e g e n d . J o h n has a different s t y l e .

C a l l it understatement, punctuated by an occas i o n a l b e l l o w . Y o u bet h e l o v e s w o o d , a n d w o r k i n g w i t h his s t u d e n t s .

J o h n d o e s not s m o k e a p i p e , c h e w t o b a c c o , d r i n k o r l o o k p a r t i c u l a r l y salty. H e g r e w u p o n a f a r m i n t h e M i d w e s t , for G o d ' s s a k e . A n d h e certainly never a s k e d me to write this story.

It's just that B a t e s a l u m n i h a v e h a d a c o u p l e of b o a t l a u n c h i n g s r e c e n t l y . D u r i n g the c h a m p a g n e toasts, w e never m e n t i o n e d J o h n P o s s i n .

S i x years ago J o h n — a onetime student of J o e T r u m b l y — a r r i v e d in boatbuilding s c h o o l from the tail e n d o f the w o o d e n s h i p b u i l d i n g i n d u s t r y . H e h a d a lot to l e a r n a b o u t t e a c h i n g — a b a p t i s m of e x a s p e r a t i o n t o sail t h r o u g h . H e m a d e it.

If a s t u d e n t w a s w o r t h an o u n c e of salt, at least o n c e during two years of schooling he'd c o m e out dead even in a disagreement with J o h n . We learned something about building lapstrake boats t o g e t h e r . I will n e v e r m e e t a b e t t e r b o a t b u i l d e r , b u t n e i t h e r w a s o u r i n s t r u c t o r infallible. A n d t h a t ' s the w a y i t s h o u l d b e .

J o h n P o s s i n ' s legacy t o his s t u d e n t s c o n t i n u e s to be good old c o m m o n sense, boat sense, b u i l d i n g s e n s e . W h a t little of it I h a v e a c c u m u l a t e d , I m u s t h a v e g o t t e n f r o m h i m . J o h n n e v e r let u s b e l i e v e that the s h i p w r i g h t craft i s a l c h e m y . H e a l w a y s s a i d w e c o u l d d o it.

S o , w h e n I'm b e i n g t o o h a r d o n m y s e l f o r feeling t o o l i g h t - h e a d e d , I r e m e m b e r J o h n p a s s i n g o n his way to lunch. " E r i c , you do good work," he said. " Y o u don't d o m u c h , but y o u d o g o o d w o r k . " I figure t h a t ' s b e t t e r t h a n a b o o t in the p a n t s .

T h a n k s for e v e r y t h i n g , J o h n , f r o m m e a n d t h e guys. T h e y say you've b e c o m e a d a m n g o o d teacher, •

W H A T IS C L A S S I C ?

By Dick Wagner The Seventh A n n u a l Classic Boat Festival was h e l d a t the i n n e r h a r b o r i n V i c t o r i a , the c a p i t o l c i t y o f B r i t i s h C o l u m b i a , this p a s t S e p t e m b e r 1 a n d 2.

V i c t o r i a ' s i n n e r h a r b o r i s the s o r t o f p l a c e where an urban planner dealing with decaying waterfront must think, "we s h o u l d have done it this w a y i n the first p l a c e . " C a s c a d e s of graceful stone stairs c o n n e c t the upper a n d lower causeways, providing a variety of b e n c h e s t o sit a n d v i e w the h a r b o r p a n o r a m a .

T h e E m p r e s s H o t e l a n d the P a r l i a m e n t b u i l d i n g s flank the h a r b o r — b o t h a r e w o n d e r f u l c o l l e c t i o n s of m a s o n r y with turrets, arches, spires, d o r m e r s a n d every other eclectic m a n n e r i s m blended into mellow, ivy-covered m o n u m e n t s . After dark, i n c a n d e s c e n t lights t u r n the P a r l i a m e n t i n t o a coloring-book castle.

A c a r i l l o n s e r e n a d e s the h a r b o r c r o w d e a c h

half h o u r . T h e r e a r e w e e k e n d b a n d c o n c e r t s o n the c a u s e w a y . B a s k e t s o f f l o w e r s h a n g f r o m l a m p o s t s a n d , w i t h the h a r b o r filled w i t h 150 c l a s s i c w o o d e n b o a t s , it's m a g i c .

T h a t ' s r e a s o n e n o u g h for the festival. It w a s w o o d f r o m s h o r e t o s h o r e . E v e n the C a n a d i a n C o a s t G u a r d t u c k e d their m o d e r n inflatable p a t r o l craft a r o u n d the c o r n e r a n d s t a t i o n e d a l o v i n g l y r e s t o r e d 1948 B a m f i e l d l i f e g u a r d boat at the festival.

T h e gathering has a sedate quality. (Actually n o t h i n g in V i c t o r i a is very f r a n t i c — t h e city has an o v e r l a y of u n d e r s t a t e m e n t , eh.) B u t if a n y part of the festival c a n b e c o n s i d e r e d a d r e n a l i n - i n d u c i n g , it is the a w a r d s p r e s e n t a t i o n at the b a n q u e t w i n d i n g u p the affair.

T h e t o u g h e s t a w a r d s t o give a r e the o n e s w i t h the greatest c o m p e t i t i o n — B e s t O v e r a l l S a i l a n d B e s t O v e r a l l P o w e r . I k n o w , b e c a u s e I'm o n e o f eight j u d g e s . T h e j u d g e s d i s s e c t the a w a r d s c o n t e n d e r s f r o m k e e l t o t o p m a s t . W e d e b a t e for h o u r s o n t h e fine p o i n t s o f d e s i g n , c o n s t r u c t i o n a n d maintenance.

T h i s year we instinctively k n e w w h i c h were w i n n e r s , b u t w e h a d t o c h e w o v e r the m e a n i n g o f " c l a s s i c " for a l o n g t i m e b e f o r e w e w e r e c e r t a i n that o u r s u b j e c t i v e feelings h a d s o l i d , o b j e c t i v e footings.

T h e p o w e r b o a t we c h o s e w a s Canim, a 96-foot fantail c o u n t e r y a c h t d e s i g n e d b y T e d G e a r y a n d built b y L a k e U n i o n D r y d o c k i n 1930. H e r o w n e r , G a r y N o r t o n , h a d just p u r c h a s e d Canim a y e a r a g o a n d p u t a t least $ 1 m i l l i o n i n t o h e r r e s t o r a t i o n .

T h e r e w a s n o t h i n g i n the h a r b o r that o u t d a z z l e d Canim.

W e d e c i d e d the best s a i l b o a t w a s the 24-foot c u t t e r Able, d e s i g n e d b y L y l e H e s s in 1947 a n d built b y h e r o w n e r , B e r t r a m L e v y . B e r t r a m built Able e n t i r e l y b y h i m s e l f i n his P o r t T o w n s e n d b a c k y a r d o n a tight b u d g e t . Able w a s l a u n c h e d this s p r i n g . ( S e e the last i s s u e of Shavings for an a r t i c l e d e s c r i b i n g the boat.)

W h y d i d we pick these boats? T h e a w a r d s were c o n s i d e r e d b y the j u d g e s t o b e r e c o g n i t i o n o f t h e best e x a m p l e s of o u r m a r i t i m e h e r i t a g e . Canim h a s the g r a c e a n d p r o p o r t i o n s o f a t r u e c l a s s i c .

T h e same amount of m o n e y c o u l d have been l a v i s h e d o n a v e s s e l o f less s t y l e . T h a t b o a t w o u l d n o t w i n a n a w a r d . T h e o w n e r o f Canim h a d m a d e a c o n s c i o u s c h o i c e of w h i c h "old millionaire's y a c h t " h e w o u l d r e s t o r e . W e felt h e c h o s e t h e b e s t of the b r e e d .

C o n c e r n i n g s p a r k l i n g n e w Able, w h o s e d e s i g n w a s i n s p i r e d b y E n g l i s h pilot c u t t e r s a n d F a l m o u t h o y s t e r b o a t s , the j u d g e s w e r e a c c l a i m i n g not the age of the v e s s e l , b u t t h e ageless q u a l i t y of t h e d e s i g n , w h i c h the o w n e r b u i l d e r c o n s c i o u s l y chose.

T h e r e w i l l a l w a y s b e a r g u m e n t s a b o u t the m e a n i n g o f " c l a s s i c , " b u t i f the w o r l d w e r e d i v i d e d into two parts. Classic a n d N o t S o C l a s s i c , y o u k n o w just w h i c h s i d e Canim, Able a n d V i c t o r i a ' s inner harbor would be on. •

W H Y N O T IRONBARK? B o e i n g i s f a m o u s for its s l e e k m e t a l a i r l i n e r s .

B u t they started building t h e m o u t of w o o d a n d h a v e n ' t f o r g o t t e n h o w useful t h e m a t e r i a l c a n b e .

O n e o f the t h i n g s B o e i n g m u s t d o t o get a n e w a i r c r a f t c e r t i f i e d is to p r o p e l the t h i n g d o w n a r u n w a y a t h i g h s p e e d w i t h the tail d r a g g i n g a l o n g the g r o u n d . T h e high-tech w o n d e r material they use to protect the planes i s . . . oak! A p a d m o u n t e d o n the tail lets the t e s t i n g g o o n w i t h o u t r e b u i l d i n g the p l a n e . - D a v e C o x .

•

O F S H O E S , A N D SHIPS, A N D SEALING WAX, A N D LIFE JACKETS, AND F O U L WEATHER GEAR, A N D O N A N D O N . .

By Chas Dowd A n o l d a d a g e c a u t i o n s that p e o p l e w h o live i n glass h o u s e s s h o u l d n ' t t h r o w s t o n e s . W e l l , p e o p l e w h o live i n a p a r t m e n t s p r o b a b l y s h o u l d n ' t o w n boats.

S t r o k e O a r a n d I h a v e p u t b e h i n d u s the s o r t o f folly that s a w u s s h a p i n g , s a n d i n g , a n d f i n i s h i n g t w o p a i r of 10-foot o a r s w i t h an e n t i r e New York Sunday Times (less the b o o k r e v i e w s ) s p r e a d o v e r the l i v i n g r o o m ' s w a l l - t o - w a l l s h a g c a r p e t .

W e n o l o n g e r h u n t for u n i t s w i t h 11-foot c e i l i n g s so we c a n stand said oars in the corner. But we've yet t o s o l v e the p r o b l e m r e s u l t i n g f r o m t h e i n c r e d i b l e p r o l i f e r a t i o n o f b o a t gear.

If we h a d a 58-foot G a r g a n t u c r a f t C r u i s e r , at least s o m e o f the stuff c o u l d s t a y a b o a r d , but w i t h a s m a l l b o a t it all has to c o m e h o m e : the a n c h o r , the m o o r i n g l i n e s , the lifejackets. It's s t o w e d i n w h a t the l e a s e c a l l s a g u e s t c l o s e t b u t w h i c h w e c a l l the G e a r C l o s e t , a c c o r d i n g t o a n u n v a r y i n g s y s t e m w h i c h we've w o r k e d out t o a c c o m o d a t e the s t r a n g e s h a p e s b o a t g e a r t a k e s . It's a little l i k e stacking water.

f i n d o n e a t the l o c a l H a n d y A n d y R e n t - A - T o o l , it's t o o s p e c i a l i z e d a n o b j e c t . It's v i r t u a l l y i m p o s s i b l e t o b o r r o w o n e s i n c e the o n l y p e o p l e w h o e v e n k n o w w h a t a b a c k i n g o u t p l a n e is, a r e profess i o n a l o a r - m a k e r s w h o a r e u s i n g t h e i r s just n o w , thanks. So y o u buy one from an expensive specialty tool store, m a k e y o u r oars, a n d confront the s a d fact that a s i d e f r o m h o l l o w i n g o u t t h e face o f a n o a r b l a d e o r s h a p i n g the i n s i d e o f a s h u t t e r p l a n k , t h e r e ' s really n o t h i n g else t o u s e a b a c k i n g o u t p l a n e for a n d n o w y o u m u s t f i n d a p l a c e t o k e e p it.

T a k e a n o t h e r e x a m p l e . A few i s s u e s a g o , m e m b e r D a v e C o x c o n t r i b u t e d a little s i d e b a r o n the C l o t h e s l i n e R e e l M o o r i n g T e c h n i q u e w h i c h e n d e d w i t h the a d m o n i t i o n that y o u s h o u l d b e s u r e to have e n o u g h rope. I find " e n o u g h r o p e " to be a peculiarly elusive quantity. E v e r y m o o r i n g s y s t e m w e ' v e e x p e r i m e n t e d w i t h r e q u i r e s five m o r e u n c u t feet o f l i n e t h a n its p r e d e c e s s o r . A s a r e s u l t , the floor of the G e a r C l o s e t is p a d d e d w i t h a 50-foot c o i l of g o l d l i n e , a 55-foot c o i l , a 60-foot c o i l a n d a 70-foot c o i l , l o o k i n g a little l i k e a

W h e n w e w e n t t o the G e r m a n s u b m a r i n e m o v i e D a s Boot, I w a s f a s c i n a t e d t o s e e t h e swabbies storing torpedoes a n d long loaves of b r e a d i n t h e i r b u n k s , c r a m m i n g c r a t e s o f veggies a n d c a n n e d g o o d s b e h i n d the h i g h p r e s s u r e air manifolds a n d hanging garlands of sausages in the head.

"It l o o k s a little l i k e t h e G e a r C l o s e t , " I whispered to Stroke O a r .

"It l o o k s like t h e w h o l e a p a r t m e n t , " s h e r e p l i e d

with some asperity, "except pictures on the walls."

that

we c a n nail

A n d h a v i n g a G e a r C l o s e t isn't e n o u g h . T h e stuff m u s t g o i n t o i t i m m e d i a t e l y b e c a u s e s o m e b o a t gear, not c o n t e n t w i t h its ability t o b r e e d , h a s l e a r n e d the s e c r e t s o f l o c o m o t i o n . T r y a s i m p l e e x p e r i m e n t . L e a v e a pair o f r u b b e r d e c k b o o t s just i n s i d e the front d o o r , b e h i n d t h e u m b r e l l a s t a n d . T h e y ' l l loiter t h e r e i n n o c e n t l y for a w e e k , but after t h e n e x t r o w , y o u ' l l f i n d t h e y ' v e b e e n joined by an equally v i r t u o u s - l o o k i n g fender or a s i b l i n g pair of footgear. T h e n a s p a r e lifejacket will join the growing m o b . Finally one M o n d a y m o r n i n g , y o u ' l l w a l k i n t o the l i v i n g r o o m t o d i s c o v e r that b o o t s , lifejacket, a n d f e n d e r h a v e r a c e d i n t o the m i d d l e o f t h e a p a r t m e n t d u r i n g t h e n i g h t , l e a v i n g i n their w a k e a s p a w n o f seat c u s h i o n s , s u n v i s o r s , o a r l o c k s a n d tide g u i d e s , f i n i s h i n g w i t h a n e r u c t a t i o n o f w e t m o o r i n g line i n the e x a c t c e n t e r o f A u n t A n a t h e a ' s H e i r l o o m Chestnut E n d Table That C a m e West In a Covered Wagon.

If multiplication a n d mobility didn't cause enough problems, you end up adopting more stuff. C o n s i d e r the o a r s w e f i n i s h e d o u t . T o h o l l o w the faces of t h e b l a d e s , y o u n e e d a l o v e l y little t o o l c a l l e d a b a c k i n g - o u t p l a n e . Y o u c a n ' t

2

kelp bed. Delve into the b a c k of the closet to r e t r i e v e t h e i r o n i n g b o a r d a n d y o u ' r e liable t o b e c o m e entangled as hopelessly as L a o c o o n . It m a y b e d a n g e r o u s t o try m i x i n g B o a t G e a r a n d Life G e a r .

W h e n i t c o m e s t o c a m p / c r u i s i n g , the c o n t r i b u t i o n s of the b a c k p a c k i n g r e v o l u t i o n h a v e b e e n a mixed blessing.

True, they've miniaturized e v e r y t h i n g f r o m c a m p s t o v e s t o first-aid k i t s .

H o w e v e r , b a c k p a c k e r s a r e e n c o u r a g e d t o limit their g e a r e x p l o s i o n b y the i r o n d i s c i p l i n e o f h a v i n g t o c a r r y it. B y c o n t r a s t , t h e r e ' s a s e d u c t i v e a m o u n t of s p a c e in a s m a l l o p e n b o a t . It e n c o u r ages a m o r e r e l a x e d a t t i t u d e t o w a r d g e a r proliferation until suddenly y o u discover you've a c q u i r e d a h o r d e o f t e e n y tiny p a c k a g e s . T h e y ' r e s m a l l all r i g h t , a n d t h e y w e i g h n e x t t o n o t h i n g , b u t t h e r e s u r e a r e a n a w f u l lot o f t h e m . S o y o u get a c a r r y all for the f o o d a n d the s t o v e , s o m e t h i n g p a d d e d for the b i n o c u l a r s a n d c a m e r a , a duffle for a n c h o r r o d e , m o o r i n g l i n e , bilge p u m p , f l a r e k i t , s u n t a n l o t i o n , e x t r a o a r l o c k s , foul w e a t h e r gear, s e a b o o t s a n d t h e c o m p a s s . T h e r e ' s a waterp r o o f e n v e l o p e for the c h a r t s , t h e tide t a b l e s , a n d the b i r d i n g g u i d e s . A t this p o i n t , the c o n t a i n e r s are b e c o m i n g as m u c h of a p r o b l e m as the things c o n t a i n e d . We h a v e a big b o a t i n g duffle. In it is a

s m a l l b a g for the o a r l o c k s . Inside that is a s m a l l e r sack, padded with socks, which contains aplastic jar o f C r i s c o for t h e l e a t h e r s a n d a final B u l l D u r h a m p o u c h that h o l d s t w o s p a r e k e e p e r c h a i n s to s e c u r e t h e o a r l o c k s . It r e m i n d s me of a set o f t h o s e n e s t e d R u s s i a n w o o d e n d o l l s , e a c h w i t h a s m a l l e r o n e h i d d e n w i t h i n it.

A n d y o u ' d b e t t e r h a v e a c l o t h e s duffle, t o o .

A b a c k p a c k e r c a n s w a g g e r i n t o a n O m a k cafe i n a l u m b e r j a c k s h i r t , g r u b b y L e v i s a n d a fourd a y g r o w t h of b e a r d , b u t that outfit w o n ' t c u t it in t h e H o t e l D e H a r o , R o s a r i o R e s o r t o r a t aftern o o n tea i n N a n a i m o ' s O l d e E n g l i s h P a s t r y S h o p p e , t o s a y n o t h i n g o f the a v e r a g e m a r i n a restaurant.

M a n y p e o p l e h a v e a s k e d for p l a n s o f t h e s e b o a t s a n d I w i l l c o n s i d e r s e l l i n g a sheet of lines a n d offsets for a b o u t $30. B u t y o u r r e q u e s t for forms a n d templates raises an interesting prospect.

L e t ' s t a k e a giant l e a p f o r w a r d a n d get p a s t t h e loft. M a n y h o m e - b u i l d e r s d o n ' t , o r s t r e t c h t h e p r o c e s s o u t f r o m o n e C h r i s t m a s t o the n e x t . . . o r m a k e m i s t a k e s t h e y p a y for later. M y i d e a for a " k i t " is really to just give the b u i l d e r a big h e a d start.

I w i l l p r o v i d e the p a t t e r n s o r a c t u a l c o m p o n e n t s ( t r a n s o m , s t e m , etc.) a n d b u i l d i n g f o r m s for the b a c k b o n e of a V a l s o 13 or 15. T h e m o l d s w i l l b e l i n e d off for l a p s t r a k e p l a n k i n g . W i t h o u t

W h e n it's t i m e t o g o r o w i n g w e g a t h e r u p t h e boat duffle, the L . L . B e a n soft c o o l e r full o f l u n c h , t w o life j a c k e t s , m o o r i n g l i n e s , a n c h o r a n d r o d e , c a m e r a a n d binoculars, e x t r a sweaters, a n d the r a i n gear. W e c a r r y t h e m d o w n t w o flights o f s t a i r s t o the t r u c k a n d c h e c k t h e m off t h e M a s t e r P a c k i n g L i s t . W e a s c e n d a g a i n t o f e t c h the b o o t s , t h e n the f l o o r b o a r d s a n d finally the o a r s . W e l a s h e v e r y t h i n g d o w n w i t h the m o o r i n g l i n e s , t h e o n l y p i e c e s o f boat g e a r sufficiently v e r s a t i l e t o s e r v e t w o f u n c t i o n s . N o w w e h a v e all t h e i t e m s o n t h e G e n e r a l L i s t s o w e c l i m b b a c k u p s t a i r s for t h e s p e c i a l e q u i p m e n t , u n i q u e t o this p a r t i c u l a r t r i p a n d off w e go.

T h e first V a l s o 1 5 w a s c o m m i s s i o n e d a n d l a u n c h e d this s u m m e r , c o n f i r m i n g m y faith i n t h e m o d e l . K e e p i n g the s a m e b e a m o f 4 - 1 / 2 feet, t h e 1 5 i s s i g n i f i c a n t l y faster a n d m o r e s p a c i o u s t h a n t h e 13.

I have c o n s i d e r e d y o u r suggestion of c o l d molding, a n d recently talked to B o b Pickett of Flounder Bay Boat L u m b e r , who knows more a b o u t the subject t h a n I. W h i l e t h e r e is n o t h i n g a b o u t the s h a p e o f the b o a t s w h i c h s u g g e s t s t h e y cannot be cold-molded, other factors may argue against the m e t h o d .

I k n o w how my lapstrake boats behave, c o m i n g in at 140 to 240 p o u n d s . I k n o w h o w t h e y sit in t h e w a t e r , h o w t h e y foot a l o n g , h o w they r u n i n a f o l l o w i n g s e a . I feel v e r y safe w i t h t h e s e b o a t s .

H o w e v e r , c o l d m o l d e d a t p e r h a p s half o r twot h i r d s the w e i g h t , t h e y w i l l sit h i g h e r i n t h e w a t e r .

I e x p e c t t h e y w o u l d b e m o r e e a s i l y b l o w n off a n d pushed about by w i n d a n d wave. Pickett m e n tioned a couple of boats, including the C a t s p a w D i n g h y , w h o s e c o l d - m o l d e d i n c a r n a t i o n s app a r e n t l y d i d not h a n d l e a s w e l l a s t h e c a r v e l o r lapstrake originals.

C o l d m o l d i n g i s not n e c e s s a r i l y a n easy w a y t o b u i l d a b o a t . It is a m e s s y , t i m e - c o n s u m i n g , l a b o r c o n s u m i n g , labor-intensive technique. T h e data o n l o n g e v i t y i s just s t a r t i n g t o c o m e i n .

T h e c a l l n u m b e r s c o r r e s p o n d w i t h the L i b r a r y o f C o n g r e s s n u m b e r s u s e d b y the S e a t t l e P u b l i c L i b r a r y system, so s o m e of these b o o k s may be b o r r o w e d t h r o u g h i n t e r - l i b r a r y l o a n f r o m the p u b l i c s y s t e m a s w e l l a s f r o m the C W B .

T h e b o o k s m a y b e u s e d o n the p r e m i s e s b y C W B m e m b e r s , a n d c h e c k out privileges are available to m e m b e r s w h o donate a b o o k . . or s e v e r a l b o o k s . T h a n k s a r e d u e t o the f o l l o w i n g contributors: J o h n D . Riley, Fay K e n d a l l , P a u l Ritchie, Dick Wagner, Paul Williams, Terry L a v a l e e , D a l e W e s t , M a r c u s L e s t e r , L o n Israel, Harvey Holden, Marty Loken, R o n Render, Muriel Parry, David Erskine and " M i k e . "

(9/84)

LETTERS

Editor's note: W e p a s s e d J o h n ' s letter t o E r i c H v a l s o e , designer builder of the V a l s o 13 a n d n e w e r V a l s o 15. T h i s i s E r i c ' s r e s p o n s e :

T h e C e n t e r ' s l i b r a r y i s n o w r e a d y for u s e b y m e m b e r s . I n c l u d e d b e l o w is a list of the c u r r e n t collection, to be updated as new contributions c o m e in.

The C W B Collection

S o m e t i m e s w e get all t h e w a y t o t h e f r e e w a y before we r e m e m b e r s o m e t h i n g we've forgotten.

L i k e h o o k i n g u p t h e boat a n d t r a i l e r .

O u r r e c o r d is six miles.

•

S a w the V a l s o 13 in Shavings ( M a y - J u n e , '84) a n d am interested as to whether y o u c a n provide p l a n s for it or the 15-foot v e r s i o n . C a n the hull be c o l d m o l d e d successfully? If so, c o u l d you s u p p l y pre-cut forms or templates on w h i c h to build a mold? Thanks, John Galloway Monroe, Oregon

The Wooden-Boat Reader BROWSING T H R O U G H T H E C W B LIBRARY

e v e r h a v i n g to l o o k at a table of offsets, the b u i l d e r w i l l h a v e a b a c k b o n e set u p a n d r e a d y t o frame a n d plank.

F u r t h e r , t o i n s u r e t h e i n d i v i d u a l c a n finish t h e b o a t in a m a n n e r w o r t h y of the V a l s o p e d i g r e e , I'll w r i t e my first b o o k . ( W e l l , at least s o m e s o r t of instruction manual.)

I f a n y o n e t h i n k s this i s a n i d e a w o r t h e x p l o r i n g , please d r o p me a line. — E r i c H v a l s o e , 3405 H u n t s P o i n t R o a d , B e l l e v u e . W A 98004.

• I am i n t e r e s t e d in c o n s t r u c t i n g a P o u l s b o B o a t , b u t slightly l a r g e r ( t h a n the n o r m a l 15'-6" m o d e l ) . . . s a y 17' o r 1 8 ' I n y o u r e a r l i e r letter y o u m e n t i o n e d the s t a n d a r d b o a t c o u l d b e s t r e t c h e d .

I a g r e e , b u t it is v e r y difficult to r e t a i n t h e lines b e c a u s e the p l a n s m u s t b e s t r e t c h e d a c r o s s t h e b e a m a s w e l l , a n d that r e q u i r e s a lot o f e x p e rience. A n y other suggestions?

Doug Matson Ladysmith, B.C. Editor's note: Y e s , o n e t h o u g h t . R o n a l d Y o u n g w a s k n o w n m a i n l y for his 15-1/2-foot P o u l s b o B o a t , b u t he a l s o built a n u m b e r of 18-footers. T h e s e b o a t s m a y o n l y b e a few feet l o n g e r , b u t , a s y o u s u g g e s t , t h e y a r e a lot b e a m i e r . . . a n d different i n o t h e r w a y s , t o o . M e m b e r s o f the P o u l s b o B o a t A s s o c i a t i o n , the g r o u p s p o n s o r i n g the a n n u a l P o u l s b o B o a t R e n d e z v o u s , p l a n t o t a k e t h e lines off of a Y o u n g - b u i l t 18-footer this w i n t e r . T h e lines will be m a d e available, at cost, to a n y o n e seriously i n t e r e s t e d i n b u i l d i n g a n e w 18.' F o r d e t a i l s , w r i t e t o M a r t y L o k e n , P o u l s b o B o a t A s s o c i a t i o n , 9521 2 5 t h N . W . , Seattle, W A . 98117. •

3

Backwaters, Stephen Jones.

910.45 J725B Boatbuilding, Howard I. Chapelle.

699 C 3 6 5 B Boars, O a r s a n d Rowing, R.D. Culler. 797.123 C 8 9 7 B Building Classic Small Craft, J o h n Gardner.

623.8202 G174B Chesapeake Bay Log Canoes and Bugeyes, M V. Brewington.' 699.B758C Chesapeake Bay S/oops,Thomas C. Gillmer. 623.8226 G416C Clinker Boatbuilding, J o h n Leather.

699 L483C The Complete Book of Pleasure Boat Engines, Ernest A. Zadig. 623.8723 212C Concrete Boatbuilding: Its Techniques and Its Future, Gainor J a c k s o n and W. Morley Sutherland. 623.82 J134C Crewing Racing Dinghys and Keelboats, B o b Fisher.

797.14 F531C Encyclopedia of Sailing, by the editors of O n e Design and Offshore Yachtsmen. 797.124 E n l 9 The Finest Kind: The Fishermen of Gloucester, K i m Bartlett. 338.3727 B284F F r o m My Old Boatshop: One Lung Engines, Fantail Launches and Other Marine Delights, Weston Farmer. 699.C366S The Good Little Ship, Vincent G i l p i n .

699 G 4 2 6 9 G 2 Harvest of Salmon: Adventures in Fishing the B.C. Coast, Zoe Landale.

639.2755 L231H History of American Sailing Ships, H o w a r d I. Chapelle.

699. C 3 6 5 H How to Build a Ferro Cement Boat, J o h n Samson, Geoff Wellens. 699 Sa49H How to Build the Catspaw Dingy, WoodenBoat Magazine. 623.829 H83 A Manaual of Ferro-Cement Boatbuilding, John Samson, Geoff Wellens. 699 S a 4 9 M M e n , Ships and the Sea, Alan Villiers.

910.4 v719M2 National Watercraft Collection, H o w a r d I. Chapelle.

623.8074 Navigation Rules: International and Inland, U . S . Coast G u a r d . 623.888 U n 3 u Pacific Troller: Life on the Northwest Fishing Grounds, Francis Caldwell. 338.3725 C 1 2 7 P A Pictorial Guide to the Maritime Museums of the World, Brandt Aymar.

708. Ay52p Pole, Paddle and Portage. Bill Riviere.

797.122 R526P Practical Boatbuilding, Charles F. C h a p m a n and F W Horenberger. 699 C366P Rushton and His Times in American Canoeing, A t w o o d Manley. 797.122 M314R Sailboating, Gerald Taylor White. 792.124 W5835 Sailing and Small Craft Down the Ages, Edgar L. Bloomster. 659.8 B6235 Sailor Historian: The Best of Samuel Eliot Morison, Emily Morison Beck. 973.08 M826s The Sailor's World, Arthur Beiser.

797.124 B397S San Francisco Bay: A Pictorial Maritime History, J o h n

Haskell Kemble. 917.946 K312s Schooners, Basil Greenhill. 387.224 G838Se The Sea Bright Skiff and Other Jersey Shore Boats, WoodenBoat Magazine editors.

623.8207 W854 The Seafarers: A History of Maritime America. 387.0973 C238S Sensible Cruising Designs, L. Francis Herreshoff.

699 H434S Shipshape and Bristol Fashion, Loren R. Borland.

797.14 B644S Small Boats, Phillip Bolger. 699 B637S This Business of Boating, Elwell B. Thomas. 656.8 T362T The Voyaging Stars: Secrets of the Pacific Island Navigators, David Lewis.

623.89099 L 5 8 5 V Wandering Under Sail, Eric C. Hiscock. 797.14 H622W3 The Way of a Ship, Alan Villiers. 387.2 V719W Workaday Schooners, Edward W. Smith.

699.38 Sm55w Wish List—Books We Would Like to Have Boatbuilding Manual, Robert Steward Boatbuilding in Your Own Backyard, S.S. Rabl The Dory Book, J o h n Gardner Lapstrake Boatbuilding, Walter J. Simmons American Small Sailing Craft, H.I. Chapelle Skiffs and Schooners, Pete Culler •

Boater's Bookshelf N E W TITLES W O R T H READING GUNKHOLING IN THE SAN JUANS

By Al Cummings and Jo Bailey-Cummings 240 pages, with photos, reduced charts and occasional line drawings; $11.95, Nor'westing, Inc., Box 375, Edmonds, WA 98020.

T h i s is a wonderfully informative a n d informal l o o k a t the S a n J u a n s , w i t h d e l i g h t f u l s i d e b a r s o n e v e r y t h i n g f r o m the P i g W a r (.. . " t h e P i g W a r i s a b o r e " ) t o r u m r u n n e r s , r e e f n e t t e r s a n d r e d tide.

T h e character of each island emerges as C u m m i n g s & C u m m i n g s take readers on a tour o f e v e r y r o c k a n d r e e f . . . i n c l u d i n g a few islets that are d e s c r i b e d u n c e r e m o n i o u s l y a s " a n o t h e r pile o f r o c k s , " o r " s u i t a b l e o n l y for the c o l l e c t i o n of bird g u a n o . " M o s t guidebooks are informative; most are a l s o boring. C u m m i n g s & C u m m i n g s h a v e f u n , a n d s o d o their readers.

PETE DESIGN Compiled

CULLER'S BOATS-THE CATALOG by John Burke

COMPLETE

296 pages, with photos, drawings, lines and offsets; $47.50; International Marine Publishing Company, Camden, Maine 04843.

E x p e n s i v e , a n d w o r t h every cent if y o u love w o o d e n b o a t s a n d a p p r e c i a t e the d e s i g n p h i l o s o p h y —simplicity, e c o n o m y a n d ease of u s e — e s p o u s e d b y t h e late P e t e C u l l e r .

C u l l e r ' s Skiffs & Schooners w a s a c l a s s i c . H i s o t h e r t w o b o o k s (The Spray a n d Boats, Oars and Rowing) w e r e less satisfying, b u t this o n e w i l l e n d u r e u n t i l i t falls a p a r t f r o m r e p e a t e d r e a d i n g s .

T h e a u t h o r , w h o w a s r a i s e d a c r o s s the street from C u l l e r ' s s h o p , has managed to assemble l i n e s , p h o t o s a n d d e s c r i p t i o n s for a l m o s t all of C u l l e r ' s boats. W e ' v e seen m a n y of the models b e f o r e , m a i n l y in Skiffs & Schooners, but there are m a n y s t r a n g e r s — b o a t s we've never seen but w o u l d l o v e t o m e e t .

T h e b o o k goes b e y o n d a simple collection of lines a n d b u i l d e r ' s c o m m e n t s , t h o u g h . B u r k e h a s a s s e m b l e d a vast a r r a y o f C u l l e r lore — d e t a i l s o f d e s i g n a n d c o n s t r u c t i o n C u l l e r m a y not h a v e b o t h e r e d m e n t i o n i n g i n his o w n b o o k s a n d a r t i c l e s . D r a w i n g s i n the " C u l l e r D e t a i l s " c h a p t e r are by K a t h y B r a y , a n d they're wonderful. T h e

book concludes with a valuable bibliography: b o o k s o f g e n e r a l i n t e r e s t ; C a p t a i n P e t e ' s fav o r i t e s ; m a g a z i n e a r t i c l e s a n d b o o k s that f u r t h e r describe watercraft included in Pete Culler's Boats, a n d m o r e .

F i n a l l y , t h e r e a r e d e t a i l s o n o r d e r i n g p l a n s for C u l l e r boats.

T h a n k s t o J o h n B u r k e , M r s . C u l l e r a n d International M a r i n e Publishing, C a p t a i n Pete will c o n t i n u e t o a m a z e a n d i n s p i r e a l l w h o enjoy " m e s s i n g about in boats." — M a r t y L o k e n .

•

SEATTLE'S NEWEST

PARK

M u s e u m s m e a n p r e s e r v a t i o n . T y p i c a l l y , this includes display of relics in a building. M u s e u m a r c h i t e c t u r e m a y be daring, graceful, or possibly even historically appropriate. At any rate, a strong, protective structure envelopes the museum's collection.

T h e m u s e u m may be in or next to a park; but the m u s e u m b u i l d i n g is a f u r n i t u r e u n i t of the city/ park.

I n the m i d d l e o f S e a t t l e i s L a k e U n i o n . T h e l a k e has lots o f p u b l i c p r o p e r t y a l o n g t h e s h o r e , but little p u b l i c a c c e s s t o the w a t e r . T h e C e n t e r for W o o d e n B o a t s decided to build a m u s e u m of our s m a l l craft h e r i t a g e o n L a k e U n i o n . W e e n v i s i o n e d the m u s e u m a s a p l a c e w h e r e t h e c l o c k g o e s b a c k t o the t u r n o f t h e c e n t u r y . W e w a n t e d p e o p l e t o see the l a k e s h o r e a n d t h e c l a s s i c b o a t s of o u r c o l l e c t i o n as they might have b e e n w h e n Seattle was y o u n g a n d L a k e U n i o n mostly untouched.

We established our beachhead at Waterway 4, a f o r m e r s t r e e t - d e b r i s d u m p , i n M a y 1983. S i n c e t h e n w e h a v e p l a c e d a floating V i c t o r i a n b o a t s h o p a n d a fleet o f c l a s s i c b o a t s . W e h a v e r e m o v e d t o n s o f d e b r i s f r o m t h e s i t e , d u g u p sterile fill, a d d e d t o p s o i l , p l a n t e d trees, set i n b e n c h e s , a p i c n i c t a b l e a n d flag p o l e . A lot of d o n a t e d t i m e a n d m a t e r i a l s h a v e g o n e i n t o this d e v e l o p m e n t a n d the site still r e s e m b l e s a n a b a n d o n e d streetdebris d u m p .

N o w comes a J o h n n y Appleseed clone named C I V I T A N , s w o o p i n g o n t o t h e site w i t h d i r t , p l a n t s a n d vitality. C I V I T A N h a s a d o p t e d o u r site l a n d s c a p i n g a s their gift t o T h e C e n t e r a n d o u r c o m munity.

C I V I T A N i s the o n l y w o r l d w i d e s e r v i c e c l u b for m e n a n d w o m e n . T h e r e a r e o v e r 1800 c h a p t e r s i n the U . S . , C a n a d a , E u r o p e a n d the F a r E a s t .

C I V I T A N i s the o n l y s e r v i c e c l u b n a m e d a s p r i n c i p a l s p o n s o r for the 1987 I n t e r n a t i o n a l S u m m e r Special O l y m p i c s , being held at N o t r e D a m e University. T h e local E m e r a l d C i t y C h a p ter h a s d i n n e r m e e t i n g s a t the R e g r a d e R e s t a u r a n t , the first t h r e e W e d n e s d a y s o f the m o n t h .

T h e new surge of energy a n d ideas, led by C I V I T A N ' S J o h n Phipps, has obtained donations of b a c k h o e w o r k , gravel, topsoil, s o d , plants a n d more. T h e y are sweet-talking their way into c o n t r i b u t i o n s of lighting, sprinklers a n d a r a m p for the h a n d i c a p p e d .

T h e p l a n i s t o p r e p a r e the site w i t h e x c a v a t i o n a n d t o p s o i l this fall, a n d p l a n t the t r e e s t h i s w i n t e r w h e n t h e y a r e d o r m a n t . S o d will b e a d d e d last, after o u r p a v i l i o n i s b u i l t . E x p e c t this v e s t - p o c k e t o a s i s of e a r l y S e a t t l e to be f i n i s h e d in a b o u t a year.

It's a n e x c i t i n g c o n c e p t - a n e w c i t y p a r k o n u n u s e d a n d abused public waterfront, developed b y a l i v i n g m u s e u m a n d s e r v i c e c l u b w i t h freely d o n a t e d l a b o r a n d m a t e r i a l s . It's h a p p e n i n g o n the 100th a n n i v e r s a r y o f S e a t t l e ' s P a r k S y s t e m .

M a y b e C W B a n d C I V I T A N are s t a r t i n g a n e w p a r k s legacy. — D i c k W a g n e r , •

4

Small-Boat Beach Camping WILLAPA BAY: E X P L O R I N G L O N G ISLAND

By Dave C o x A s u r p r i s i n g n u m b e r of N o r t h w e s t e r n e r s don't k n o w m u c h a b o u t W i l l a p a B a y . T h i s large b a y i n the s o u t h w e s t c o r n e r o f t h e s t a t e h a s h a d little w r i t t e n a b o u t it a n d h a s a r e p u t a t i o n for r e q u i r i n g l o c a l k n o w l e d g e for safe n a v i g a t i o n . T h e fact t h a t it is a 3-1/2 h o u r d r i v e f r o m the S e a t t l e a r e a d o e s n ' t help encourage those w h o are c u r i o u s .

T h i s past L a b o r D a y w e e k e n d w e a t t a c h e d ourselves to a g r o u p of canoeists a n d kayakers t r a v e l i n g t o W i l l a p a B a y a n d set o u t t o e x p l o r e L o n g I s l a n d , t o w a r d the s o u t h e n d o f the b a y .

C i r c u m s t a n c e s p r e v e n t e d t h e full c i r c u m n a v i g a t i o n I h a d h o p e d for, b u t I w a s able to g a t h e r e n o u g h f a c t s t o h e l p a n y o n e w h o w a n t s t o see the island.

T h e r e are t w o important things to r e m e m b e r w h e n b o a t i n g o n W i l l a p a B a y . F i r s t , t h e r e i s not a lot o f boat traffic a r o u n d . I f y o u get i n t r o u b l e , y o u p r o b a b l y will not b e able t o c o u n t o n m u c h h e l p . ( B u t , t h e n , y o u s h o u l d n e v e r count o n h e l p anywhere...)

T h e s e c o n d f a c t o r i s the great s h a l l o w n e s s o f the b a y . T h e c h a r t I t o o k w a s N O A A ' s #18504 a n d a n d it's the o n l y m a r i n e c h a r t I've s e e n w i t h s o u n d i n g s e x p r e s s e d i n feet, n o t f a t h o m s . M u c h o f the b a y i s s h o w n a s m u d a t m e a n l o w tide a n d the c u r r e n t s i n the c h a n n e l s that d o e x i s t c a n b e s t r o n g , s o b e a w a r e ! A l s o n o t e that t h e r e i s n o reliable s u p p l y o f w a t e r o n L o n g I s l a n d .

A c c e s s t o the s o u t h e n d o f the bay i s l i m i t e d t o t w o r a m p s . O n e i s a t the t o w n o f N a h c o t t a o n the L o n g B e a c h Peninsula. U s i n g it w o u l d involve a 2m i l e c r o s s i n g o f o p e n w a t e r t o get t o L o n g I s l a n d ( a n d i t c a n definitely get w i n d y o n t h e b a y ) . I k n o w n o t h i n g o f c o n d i t i o n s for l a u n c h i n g t h e r e .

T h e r a m p w e u s e d w a s a c r o s s the c h a n n e l f r o m the s o u t h e a s t c o r n e r o f t h e i s l a n d , a t the W i l l a p a National Wildlife Refuge headquarters. M a d e of dirt a n d g r a v e l , it Is n o t h i n g I'd w r i t e h o m e a b o u t .

In fact, if I h a d to i m m e r s e t h e t r a i l e r to l a u n c h h e r e , I w o u l d w a n t 5 or 6 feet of tide. T h o s e w h o c a n h a n d - l a u n c h w i l l h a v e a n e a s i e r t i m e o f it.

T h e current on the strong and must be planning y o u r trip. tide t a b l e s c o u l d b e adding 45 minutes or

east side of L o n g Island is taken into account w h e n I f o u n d the Pacific Beaches u s e d for L o n g I s l a n d b y so to them.

Y o u also must plan to do y o u r traveling w h e n there is water to do it o n . T h e b o t t o m in m u c h of the b a y i s a p a r t i c u l a r l y g o o e y m u d w h i c h y o u cannot walk on, or in. T r y to be ashore anytime t h e r e is l i k e l y to be less t h a n 3 feet of w a t e r ( a b o v e m e a n l o w tide), o r else stay i n the c h a n n e l s a t l o w tide.

C a m p i n g on L o n g Island is permitted only at the 5 e s t a b l i s h e d c a m p g r o u n d s . T h o s e o n the w e s t s i d e of the i s l a n d a r e t h e o n e s I v i s i t e d : Pinnacle Rock Campground c o n t a i n s a c o u p l e of nice b e a c h - c a m p spots, then several m o r e a t t r a c t i v e sites up a trail in t h e w o o d s . T h e r e is a trail l e a d i n g u p f r o m the c a m p g r o u n d that g o e s t o a r o a d . A c r o s s the r o a d is a large m e a d o w w h e r e the d e e r a n d elk c o m e o u t t o c a r o u s e i n t h e evening. That m e a d o w is one of my fond m e m o r i e s f r o m the trip. T h e b o t t o m a t P i n n a c l e R o c k C a m p g r o u n d is solid enough to allow water a c c e s s w i t h o n l y 2 or 3 feet of tide.

Smoky Hollow Campground is w h e r e I s t a y e d .

T h e c a m p g r o u n d contains several nice spots on o r n e a r the b e a c h , t h e n s e v e r a l m o r e off a t r a i l l e a d i n g u p t h e hill i n t o the w o o d s . T h e w h o l e

c a m p i s b o u n d e d t o the east b y a f r e s h w a t e r marsh. The bottom at S m o k y Hollow is firm e n o u g h to a l l o w a c c e s s w i t h o n l y 2 or 3 feet of tide.

A few h u n d r e d y a r d s s o u t h o f t h e c a m p g r o u n d is a t r a i l l e a d i n g up t h e hill. T h e t r a i l i n t e r s e c t s a r o a d r u n n i n g n o r t h - s o u t h o n the i s l a n d . I d o n ' t k n o w h o w far n o r t h t h e r o a d r u n s , a l t h o u g h I w a s told y o u c o u l d r e a c h S a w l o g Slough Camp-

I w a s n ' t a b l e t o visit the t w o c a m p g r o u n d s o n the e a s t s i d e o f L o n g I s l a n d this t r i p . B o t h a r e o n s l o u g h s a n d I'm t o l d t h e b o t t o m i s m u c h m u d d i e r , r e q u i r i n g 5 or 6 feet of tide to l a n d . Y o u s h o u l d t a k e this i n t o a c c o u n t w h e n p l a n n i n g y o u r t r i p .

(I'm a l s o t o l d t h e r e i s m o r e wildlife, e s p e c i a l l y b i r d s , o n the east side o f the island.)

S p e a k i n g o f wildlife, p l e a s e t a k e n o t e : L o n g Island has a permanent bear population. T h e y have not posed a p r o b l e m except in regards to feed, w h i c h m u s t b e h u n g f r o m tree b r a n c h e s — h o p e f u l l y o u t o f r e a c h — a t night.

T o r e a c h t h e l a u n c h i n g r a m p f r o m the S e a t t l e area, pretend you're going to A b e r d e e n . At M o n t e s a n o (before y o u r e a c h A b e r d e e n ) t a k e H i g h w a y 107 s o u t h t o w a r d R a y m o n d a n d S o u t h B e n d . H i g h w a y 107 j o i n s H i g h w a y 101, w h i c h continues through Raymond and South Bend, eventually c r o s s i n g the Naselle River. K e e p going until y o u reach the headquarters of the N a t i o n a l W i l d l i f e Refuge. T h e r a m p i s o n the right s i d e o f the road.

T h e p h o n e n u m b e r o f the R e f u g e i s (206) 484 3 4 8 2 . T h e r e i s a n i c e b r o c h u r e o n t h e a r e a , p o s s i b l y a v a i l a b l e t h r o u g h the m a i l s o n r e q u e s t .

F o r an interesting view of W i l l a p a B a y " w a y back when," read T h e Northwest Coast b y J a m e s S w a n . S w a n l i v e d o n the bay f r o m 1852 t o 1855 a n d w r o t e a l u c i d a c c o u n t o f h i s s t a y . T h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W a s h i n g t o n P r e s s h a s r e p r i n t e d it, complete with S w a n ' s original drawings—it's a g e m ! A n o t h e r g o o d b a c k g r o u n d e r i s Oysterville,

by Willard Espey.

C O S I N E III A PROMISING EXPERIMENT

By John Hartsock C o s i n e III is a big, fast, a n d d r y o p e n w a t e r s c u l l . S h e i s the latest i n m y s e r i e s o f m a t h e m a t ically-lofted r o w i n g b o a t s . A l l h a v e b e e n e i t h e r c o l d m o l d e d o r strip p l a n k e d red cedar. M y primary interests are design a n d rowing, not e s t h e t i c s , t r a d i t i o n , o r the a c t u a l b u i l d i n g o f b o a t s . I u s e w o o d b e c a u s e it is the b e s t m a t e r i a l for my p u r p o s e s . It is light, s t r o n g , i n e x p e n s i v e , a n d e a s y t o w o r k . T h e fact that i t p r o d u c e s handsome boats, a n d puts me in contact with those m o r e involved in the tradition of small boats, are valuable side benefits.

S o m e o f m y a s s o c i a t e s i n the w o o d e n b o a t movement are c o n v i n c e d rowboat design p e a k e d i n t h e last c e n t u r y a n d that little o f v a l u e h a s b e e n d e v e l o p e d s i n c e then. T h e y m a y find m y m a t h e m a t i c a l m e t h o d s h e r e s y . A t the o t h e r e x t r e m e a r e n a v a l a r c h i t e c t s w h o b e l i e v e flow t h e o r y i s far t o o c o m p l e x t o s e r v e a s the s o l e b a s i s for d e v e l o p i n g a table of offsets. I d o n ' t a g r e e w i t h either g r o u p a n d my boats s e e m to w o r k .

C o s i n e Ill's p r e d e c e s s o r , C o s i n e II, is 18' x 3 6 " , 1 2 " d e e p m i d s h i p s a n d 15" d e e p b o w a n d s t e r n .

S h e h a s s m a l l d e c k s fore a n d aft a n d a s h a l l o w s p r a y rail f o r w a r d . S h e i s r e a s o n a b l y fast a n d

Finally, a w o r d about off-season expeditions to the bay. W i n t e r is W i l l a p a ' s s e a s o n in terms of wildlife. T h e greatest d i v e r s i t y o f b i r d s i s p r e s e n t t h e n , i n c l u d i n g large f l o c k s o f b l a c k b r a n t , C a n a d a geese, A m e r i c a n wigeon, c a n v a s b a c k s , s c a u p , buffleheads a n d scoters. L o o n s , grebes, m e r g a n s e r s a n d c o r m o r a n t s join t h e m o n the bay, w h i l e d u n l i n , p l o v e r s a n d s a n d p i p e r s line t h e tideflats.

F a l l a n d s p r i n g migrations bring large c o n c e n t r a t i o n s o f w a t e r f o w l a n d s h o r e b i r d s t o the refuge. S h o r e b i r d s a n d s e a b i r d s often n u m b e r i n the h u n d r e d s o f t h o u s a n d s a s they s t o p t o feed a n d rest d u r i n g their migrations.

B e w a r e o f hunters o n L o n g Island i n S e p t e m ber, O c t o b e r a n d early N o v e m b e r — t h e r e ' s a s e a s o n for d e e r , e l k a n d b e a r . W a t e r f o w l h u n t i n g b e g i n s o n the b a y i n O c t o b e r a n d r u n s t h r o u g h the e n d of the year.

If y o u w a n t to s e e great h o r d e s of m i g r a t i n g waterfowl, the best bet is early O c t o b e r (except for the p o s s i b l e e n c o u n t e r s w i t h h u n t e r s ) o r t h e m o n t h of A p r i l , w h e n birds pause in the bay on their return trip n o r t h . •

ground f r o m it, a n d p o s s i b l y the o t h e r t w o (Sand Spit Campground and Lewis Slough Campground) a s w e l l . T o t h e s o u t h y o u c a n r e a c h Pinnacle Rock Campground a n d the s o u t h e n d of the i s l a n d .

A n o t h e r i n t e r e s t i n g d e s t i n a t i o n , f o l l o w i n g the r o a d t o the s o u t h , i s a g r o v e o f v i r g i n c e d a r estimated to be 400 500 years o l d . N o t easy to s p o t , t h e r e is a n a r r o w trail l e a d i n g east of t h e r o a d t o t h e g r o v e . ( T h i s t r a i l just h a p p e n s t o lie 1,400 o f m y p a c e s s o u t h o f t h e i n t e r s e c t i o n o f S m o k y H o l l o w trail a n d the r o a d — I c o u n t e d ! ) I d i d n ' t go a s h o r e at Sand Spit Campground.

T h o s e w h o did reported several nice c a m p spots i n t h e t r e e s a n d s u s p e c t e d t h e r e w a s a trail l e a d i n g up to the n o r t h - s o u t h r o a d . T h e b o t t o m here was s o l i d w i t h o n l y 2 or 3 feet of tide.

NEW C W B O F F I C E R S ELECTED T h e t r u s t e e s e l e c t e d n e w officers a t t h e S e p t e m b e r 1 1 m e e t i n g o f the C W B b o a r d : M a r y F o r d , President.

Archie C o n n , Treasurer.

J u d y M a z z a n o , Secretary.

O t h e r trustees include Neil Allen, J e r r y B o h a n o n , Eric B u r k h e a d , L e e E h r h e a r t , Pat Ford, Paul Ford, Rip Knot, T o m Parker and M i k e Phimister.

The past officers w h o g a v e the C e n t e r t i m e a n d s u p p o r t without limit: Pat F o r d , President; M y r o n Richards, Treasurer; a n d Eric B u r k h e a d , Secretary. °

5

stable, but takes water f o r w a r d w h e n d r i v e n into a s e a . I w a n t e d , in C o s i n e III, a faster b o a t w h i c h w o u l d not t a k e w a t e r . T h i s d i c t a t e d a l o n g e r , n a r r o w e r , deeper design. A length of 20' was the m a x i m u m I c o u l d build a n d store in my garage. ( G a r a g e is a m i s n o m e r . T h e r e hasn't b e e n a c a r in the p l a c e s i n c e I s t a r t e d w o r k i n g o n b o a t s . ) A b e a m o f 2 8 " c a m e f r o m t h e P o c o c k W h e r r y , the boat I w a s set o n b e a t i n g . C o n s i n e I I ' s p r i s m a t i c coefficient (see t a b l e o f d e f i n i t i o n s ) w a s i n c r e a s e d slightly f r o m 0.554 t o 0.560 b a s e d o n a c o n v e r s a tion with Matt B r o z o f M a r i n e r K a y a k s . D e p t h m i d s h i p s w a s left a t 1 2 " b u t i n c r e a s e d f r o m 1 5 " t o 1 8 " a t the e n d s . F o r e a n d aft s y m m e t r y w e r e r e t a i n e d . A 7' h e a v i l y c r o w n e d d e c k w i t h a s p r a y rail w a s d e s i g n e d f o r w a r d a n d a 5 ' d e c k , a l s o w i t h a r a i l , aft.

I h a d d e s i g n e d a n d built t h e s t r i p p l a n k e d C o s i n e W h e r r y (Shavings, N o v / D e c . 1983) e a r l y i n 1983 a n d d e c i d e d t o u s e t h e s a m e m e t h o d for the s c u l l . It p r o d u c e s a v e r y light, s t r o n g , d u r a b l e boat a n d i s a m e t h o d w e l l s u i t e d for a n a m a t e u r s u c h as myself, i n e x p e r i e n c e d in boat building.

T h e long, clear / " x / " strips of r e d cedar w e r e supplied by Flounder Bay Boat L u m b e r of A n a c o r t e s . I b u i l t the W h e r r y i n 2 / m o n t h s . T h e s c u l l t o o k 7, n o t that it w a s h a r d e r b u t b e c a u s e I was afraid of what I w o u l d learn u p o n launching.

I h a d g i v e n little t h o u g h t to a boat of t h e W h e r r y ' s t y p e u n t i l I d e s i g n e d a n d built h e r . H e r p e r f o r m l

4

3

4

l

2

a n c e still s u r p r i s e s m e . S h e i s the o n l y t h i n g that I h a v e e v e r d e s i g n e d that I w o u l d n o t s i g n i f i c a n t l y c h a n g e . C o s i n e III w a s a v e r y different m a t t e r . I h a d h e r o n m y m i n d for y e a r s a n d h a d d e s i g n e d a n d r o w e d t w o p r e d e c e s s o r s . C o s i n e I a n d II. M o l d stations of 5/8" particle board were a s s e m b l e d on a 2 0 ' " T " of 2 x 6 l u m b e r . T h e c e d a r strips w e r e edge glued w i t h hot melt adhesive.

After s a n d i n g they were laminated o u t s i d e a n d in w i t h e p o x y - s a t u r a t e d 4 o z . fiberglas c l o t h . D e c k s were 1/8" exterior p l y w o o d . I c o u l d find no 1/8" marine in Seattle. D e c k frames were s a w n from 3/8" m a r i n e p l y w o o d . A single c e n t e r f r a m e of 3/8" m a r i n e p l y w o o d w a s e p o x i e d t o the i n s i d e o f t h e h u l l 9 " aft o f m i d s h i p s . T h i s t u r n e d o u t t o b e a b o u t 2 " t o o far f o r w a r d . P a d s o f 3 / 8 " p l y w o o d w e r e m o u n t e d o n t o p o f the f r a m e s a t e a c h s i d e o f the b o a t t o s e r v e a s m o u n t s for the w o o d e n outriggers.

S l i d i n g seat c o m p o n e n t s w e r e p u r c h a s e d f r o m G e o r g e L a t a n z o o f Philadelphia. T h e 3 6 " ext r u d e d a l u m i n u m t r a c k s were bolted to 1" x 3/4" s p r u c e rails e p o x i e d t o the b o t t o m o f t h e b o a t a n d t o n o t c h e s i n the s i n g l e f r a m e . C l o g s w e r e also purchased from L a t a n z o and mounted on an a l u m i n u m f r a m e w h i c h I d e s i g n e d a n d built. T h i s w a s m o u n t e d a t the aft e n d o f t h e w o o d e n rails t o w h i c h the s l i d e t r a c k s w e r e b o l t e d . T o m W h i t a k e r f a s h i o n e d a p a i r o f h o l l o w b l a n k s for 9 ' 9 " s p r u c e o a r s . I f i n i s h e d the shafts a n d c a r v e d t h e b l a d e s w i t h d e e p l y c u p p e d faces. T h e o a r s a n d o u t riggers t u r n e d out to be p r o b l e m s .

L a u n c h i n g t o o k p l a c e A p r i l 1st off D a y t o n Street B e a c h near my home in E d m o n d s . It was not a s u c c e s s . T h e 1 / 2 " B r u y n z e e l p l y w o o d o u t r i g g e r s w e r e far t o o flexible a n d t h e o a r s a l m o s t i m p o s s i b l e t o feather. I w e n t h o m e a n d c a r v e d a s m u c h o f t h e c u r v a t u r e off t h e b a c k s i d e s o f the b l a d e s a s t h e t h i c k n e s s o f the w o o d a l l o w e d . It h e l p e d . I r e p l a c e d t h e B r u y n z e e l o u t r i g g e r s w i t h 3 / 4 " fir. O n e c r a c k e d i n t o r s i o n .

I r e p l a c e d these w i t h 3/4" x 3-1/2" oak w i t h c r o s s l a m i n a t e d p a d s a t the t i p s . T h e y w o r k e d a n d a r e still b e i n g u s e d . I c o n t i n u e d t o e x p e r i m e n t w i t h the b o a t d u r i n g A p r i l a n d M a y . I w a s n o t a c c u s t o m e d t o the n a r r o w b e a m a n d f o u n d m y s e l f uncomfortable in rough water. R o w i n g w a s largely l i m i t e d t o s m o o t h c o n d i t i o n s . T h e r e i s a m e a s u r e d n a u t i c a l m i l e a l o n g the s h o r e n o r t h o f the E d m o n d s ferry d o c k . I f o u n d that I c o u l d d o 5.1 k n o t s w i t h e a s e b u t c o u l d n o t t h e n — o r n o w — e x c e e d 5.5 k n o t s .

O n J u n e 9 t h I e n t e r e d the S o u n d R o w e r s ' r a c e f r o m B a l l a r d t o B a i n b r i d g e a n d a v e r a g e d 5.42 k n o t s o v e r 3.9 m i l e s o f v e r y s m o o t h w a t e r . T h i s was 17 seconds behind A l e x K i m b a l l in a G r a h a m 19. A l e x i s p e r h a p s 2 0 y e a r s m y j u n i o r , b i g a n d s t r o n g a n d the G r a h a m is a fast b o a t . I u n d e r stand he stopped o n c e to remove a shirt. T h e f o l l o w i n g w e e k I m o d i f i e d the o a r s for the s e c o n d a n d last t i m e . T h e m i s t a k e I h a d m a d e i n t h e i r d e s i g n w a s that I w a s s o c o n s c i o u s o f d r a g coefficient that I forgot the b l a d e s a l s o h a d to feather out cleanly. D u r i n g the pull they a n c h o r e d solidly i n the w a t e r a n d a l s o w h e n I t r i e d t o get t h e m o u t of the w a t e r at the e n d of t h e s t r o k e . I m a n a g e d to n a r r o w the b l a d e s , p a r t i c u l a r l y a t the t i p s , t o t h e point w h e r e they c o u l d be feathered w i t h relative ease. F r a n k C u n n i n g h a m now agreed to r o w the boat a n d g a v e i t and-the o a r s h i s a p p r o v a l . A m o n g P u g e t S o u n d o a r s m e n this is the e q u i v a l e n t of a papal blessing.

O n J u l y 14th I e n t e r e d t h e S o u n d R o w e r s r a c e from Fay Bainbridge State Park to Poulsbo. T h e 8.6 n a u t i c a l m i l e c o u r s e w e n t a c r o s s the e n t r a n c e to Port Madison, down Agate Passage, and up

Liberty Bay to Poulsbo. There was a breeze and c h o p c o m i n g d o w n f r o m the n o r t h e a s t a s 4 0 rowboats, canoes, kayaks and sculls collected on the b e a c h . R o w b o a t s a n d c a n o e s s t a r t e d first a n d t h e n the k a y a k s a n d s c u l l s . A s I r e c a l l t h e s c u l l s c o n s i s t e d o f t h r e e P o c o c k W h e r r i e s , the G r a h a m 19, a n d T o m W i l l i a m s i n h i s R o w c a t . T h e W h e r r i e s are 21 '6" x 28", shallow a n d open. T h e G r a h a m i s t y p i c a l o f t h e faster r e c r e a t i o n a l s c u l l s c o m i n g o n the m a r k e t . S h e i s 19' x 2 7 " , 8 " d e e p , d e c k e d fore a n d aft w i t h a n o p e n c o c k p i t . A l l o f the s c u l l s w e r e fiberglas w i t h t h e e x c e p t i o n o f Cosine.

T h e c h o p failed t o b o t h e r the k a y a k s a s t h e y m o v e d o u t f r o m the s t a r t . I w a s a b l e t o s t a y w i t h some of them. I was learning to row my boat a n d l a t e r a l s t a b i l i t y w a s less of a p r o b l e m t h a n e x p e c t e d . R e c o v e r y w a s the h a r d p a r t . E v e n w i t h c a r e f u l f e a t h e r i n g the b l a d e s o f the o a r s , p a r t i c u l a r l y the lee o a r , t e n d e d t o d i g i n t o the t o p s o f w a v e s a s they c a m e f o r w a r d . I t o o k w a t e r o n l y once a n d then only a small amount. This proved t o b e c r u c i a l . T o m W i l l i a m s i n the R o w c a t w a s O K . H o w e v e r , one b y one the P o c o c k s a n d the G r a h a m fell b a c k a s t h e y t o o k w a t e r a n d w e r e f o r c e d t o bail.

I r o u n d e d A g a t e Point a n d h e a d e d d o w n the s m o o t h s u r f a c e of A g a t e P a s s a g e . I failed to s e e the m i d c h a n n e l b u o y s o u t h o f the b r i d g e i n m y

Definitions Prismatic Coefficient— " I m m e r s e d hull volume divided b y the a r e a o f m i d s h i p s u n d e r water section times waterline l e n g t h " . It is a m e a s u r e of the f i n e n e s s of the e n d s of a b o a t .

T h e l o w e r t h e c o e f f i c i e n t the finer the e n d s .

Reynold's Number— A dimensionless n u m b e r repres e n t i n g the r a t i o o f i n e r t i a l t o viscous forces acting on a body in a fluid s t r e a m .

V - v e l o c i t y , ft/sec. 1 k n o t = 1.69 ft. s c L

= S o m e characteristic linear d i m e n s i o n of the b o d y , ft = K i n e m a t i c v i s c o s i t y . 1.28 x 10 ft /sec for salt w a t e r .

5

2

Reynolds n u m b e r is used to cor e l a t e d r a g d a t a a n d the o n s e t o f t u r b u l e n t flow.

•

m i r r o r s a n d n e a r l y hit it as I r a c e d by on the f l o o d tide. P e r h a p s a half m i l e b a c k the s m a l l f o r m o f a n o t h e r s c u l l a p p e a r e d . I k n e w I c o u l d still b l o w this r a c e if I e i t h e r g r e w c o m p l a c e n t or g a v e o u t .

T h e only thing to do was w o r k on form. " C o n c e n t r a t e o n m a k i n g the c a t c h a t full r e a c h , s t e a d y p o w e r t h r o u g h the p u l l , c l e a r o u t s m o o t h l y a n d b r i n g the b l a d e s b a c k l o w . W a t c h t h e c o m p a s s and don't wander. D o n ' t turn a r o u n d . W a t c h the s h o r e o u t o f the c o r n e r o f y o u r eye. R e a d the c h a r t t a p e d t o the b o t t o m o f t h e c o c k p i t .

Concentrate!"

6

I r o u n d e d Pt. B o l i n and headed up into the w i n d a n d t o w a r d the t o r p e d o s t a t i o n a t K e y p o r t . I c a u g h t t h e grey D a w n T r e a d e r k a y a k I'd last s e e n off P o r t M a d i s o n . I n m y m i r r o r s I c o u l d s e e a yellow Easy Rider ahead of him. We w o u n d t h r o u g h the n a r r o w p a s s a g e off L e m o l o P o i n t a n d i n t o L i b e r t y B a y . P o u l s b o a n d the finish line w e r e u p t h e r e s o m e p l a c e . O n c e o r t w i c e I twisted a r o u n d to look. It cost me time a n d I went back to trusting my compass a n d mirrors. T h e D a w n T r e a d e r a n d I j o c k e y e d for p o s i t i o n a s w e t r i e d t o c a t c h the E a s y R i d e r .

M y t i m e w a s 1:39:41 for 5.176 k n o t s . I w a s t h e first s c u l l but a n u m b e r o f k a y a k s w e r e faster. T h e best t i m e w a s set b y W o n g , a n a m a z i n g 5.817 k n o t s ! A l l o f the b e s t t i m e s w e r e M a r i n e r s o r H e r o n s . R o y R u b i n w a s the s e c o n d s c u l l t o f i n i s h , i n o n e o f the P o c o c k s , A l e x w a s t h i r d , a n d I believe T o m W i l l i a m s fourth. B o t h R o y a n d A l e x h a d been forced to b e a c h a n d empty their boats.

T h e r a c e put t o rest o l d d o u b t s a b o u t C o s i n e III but raised new questions Before the race I h a d k n o w n she c o u l d very nearly h o l d her o w n w i t h other recreational sculls in s m o o t h water. N o w I k n e w she w a s s u p e r i o r i n r o u g h w a t e r , p r i m a r i l y b e c a u s e s h e w a s d r y . T h e f r e e b o a r d , flair, d e c k s , spray r a i l s — a l l of those things I had p o n d e r e d o v e r — h a d p a i d off. P e r h a p s e v e n the p r i s m a t i c coefficient o f 0.56 w a s O K . F r a n k C u n n i n g h a m , A l e x a n d even M a t t B r o z h a d suggested I leave it alone.

But k a y a k s n o w puzzle a n d frustrate me. T h e y a r e s i m p l e , s e a w o r t h y , a n d s u r p r i s i n g l y fast. A k a y a k e r sits o n the b o t t o m o f h i s light, l o w , n a r r o w b o a t p r o t e c t e d b y full d e c k s a n d a s p r a y s k i r t . I m u s t sit h i g h e r i n m y s c u l l a n d c a n n o t rely a s fully u p o n d e c k s a n d n o t a t all o n a s p r a y s k i r t .

In o r d e r to k e e p w a v e s o u t of my b o a t I m u s t rely o n f r e e b o a r d o r suffer the fate o f the P o c o c k s a n d the G r a h a m . M y e l e v a t e d c e n t e r o f g r a v i t y a n d h a n d l i n g of my w i d e b l a d e d o a r s r e q u i r e a boat a t h i r d w i d e r t h a n the k a y a k s . I e n d u p w i t h a b o a t w e i g h i n g 8 0 lb. T h e M a r i n e r lists a t 4 9 lb. a n d a c o m p e t i t i o n H e r o n at 35.

H o w e v e r — a n d this galls m e a t the m o m e n t — I h a v e a far s u p e r i o r p r o p u l s i o n s y s t e m . I r o w w i t h 9'9" oars operating through a fulcrum a n d drive w i t h m y e n t i r e b o d y — p a r t i c u l a r l y m y legs. T h e k a y a k e r h o l d s h i s s i m p l e p a d d l e i n his t w o h a n d s a n d c a n use only his u p p e r b o d y to p r o p e l his boat.

I'm a l s o p u z z l e d a n d f r u s t r a t e d b y the 5.5 k n o t " w a l l " C o s i n e III s e e m s t o face. C o n v e n t i o n a l t h e o r y h a s it t h a t this w a l l is a f u n c t i o n of t h e s q u a r e r o o t o f w a t e r l i n e l e n g t h . I'm n o t s u r e t h i s m a k e s a n y m o r e s e n s e t h a n the p o o r l y d e f i n e d l e n g t h t e r m u s e d i n R e y n o l d ' s N u m b e r (see t a b l e of d e f i n i t i o n s ) . At 5.5 k n o t s my ratio is 1.28.

According to Stan Pocock (WoodenBoat, M a r c h / A p r i l 1978) a 2 7 ' x 1 2 " r a c i n g s c u l l will do 8.94 k n o t s for a r a t i o of 1.74. W o n g ' s r a t i o in t h e P o u l s b o r a c e m u s t h a v e b e e n a b o u t 1.4. T h e " w a l l " m a y h a v e m o r e t o d o w i t h the r a t i o o f frontal area to length than to length alone. T h i s w o u l d f a v o r light b o a t s s u c h a s k a y a k s . F e w k a y a k s a r e s y m m e t r i c a l fore a n d aft. I c o n t i n u e to believe in a s h a r p e n t r y as a m e a n s of r e d u c i n g p i t c h i n g in a s e a . H o w e v e r , a s i m i l a r l y s h a r p b o w w i t h its h i g h w e t t e d s u r f a c e m a y n o t b e needed.

S y m m e t r y m a y n o t g i v e the fastest design. T h e W h e r r y is asymmetrical.

S o o n g o e s t h e d e s i g n p r o c e s s . I n the m e a n t i m e C o s i n e III a n d I h a v e a lot of r o w i n g a n d r a c i n g to do together. S h e is a tough, d e m a n d i n g boat w i t h a lot to tell.

•

BUILT T O L A S T . . .

F o l l o w i n g the r e c e n t G r e a t C r o s s - S o u n d Rowing Race I stumbled over a sweetly-shaped c a n o e f i n i s h e d all i n v a r n i s h . Instantly r e c o g n i z i n g it as a W i l l i t s , I w a s b e m u s e d by its s a l t - c o v e r e d appearance. S o m e o n e h a d actually been racing a Willits canoe! M o s t seem to w i n d up stored in s o m e o n e ' s garage or treated like the m u s e u m piece they resemble.

T h e o w n e r w a s n e a r b y a n d the c a n o e p r o v e d t o b e a n i n s t a n t c a t a l y s t for c o n v e r s a t i o n , a s g o o d b o a t s o f t e n a r e . T h e boat t u r n e d o u t t o b e o n e o f t h e last the W i l l i t s b r o t h e r s built i n their D a y I s l a n d s h o p . T h e o w n e r h a d p u r c h a s e d i t i n 1959 a s a y o u n g m a n (he still l o o k e d p r e t t y y o u n g ) a n d had kept it in constant use. H i s children learned c a n o e i n g i n the boat a s s o o n a s t h e y c o u l d g r a s p a paddle.

T h i s y e a r ' s C r o s s - S o u n d w a s the r o u g h e s t i n m e m o r y . A s t r o n g f l o o d tide b a t t l e d w i t h g u s t y w i n d s t o c r e a t e q u i t e a c h o p . B u t the W i l l i t s a n d its c r e w o f d a d a n d 10-year-old d a u g h t e r m a d e their p a s s a g e w i t h c o n f i d e n c e . " I k n e w w e w o u l d n ' t set a n y r e c o r d s , " s a i d t h e p r o u d o w n e r . " B u t the W i l l i t s h a n d l e d t h e r o u g h stuff w i t h s t y l e .

T h e W i l l i t s b r o t h e r s built these b o a t s t o u s e , n o t just to look a t . " Allright! — D a v e . C o x . •

7

SHORT STROKES...

T h e C e n t e r for W o o d e n B o a t s h a s g o n e worldwide. C W B T-shirts have been spotted recently i n D e n m a r k , Yugoslavia and C h i n a . . .

R e c e n t d o n a t i o n s t o the C W B i n c l u d e a 20-foot sloop-rigged B a n k s dory from M a r k Sullivan; 12-foot S e a t t l e l i f e g u a r d r o w i n g b o a t f r o m A c e F e e k , 14-foot M o n k - d e s i g n e d s l o o p f r o m B i l l M i l l e r , 14-foot R e i n e l l r o w i n g b o a t f r o m P a t Spurlock, a n d binoculars from H o r a c e I n g r a m . . .

Interested in woodworking? G e t in t o u c h w i t h the N o r t h w e s t G u i l d o f F i n e W o o d w o r k e r s , c/o M a r k S o l t o w , 5030 3 7 t h A v e . N . E . , S e a t t l e , W A 9 8 1 0 5 , o r c a l l 523-2609. T h e g u i l d i s s p o n s o r ing a g r o u p s h o w of their w o r k , n o w t h r o u g h N o v e m b e r 4 . F o r details, call 6 2 5 - 0 5 4 2 . . . T h e Seattle P a r k s & R e c r e a t i o n D e p t . is offering an e v e r y - S a t u r d a y adult competitive r o w i n g c o u r s e this fall a t G r e e n L a k e ( t h r o u g h N o v . 10).

It's t o o late to s i g n up this y e a r , b u t if y o u ' r e interested in sweep rowing—experience or no e x p e r i e n c e — v i s i t the G r e e n L a k e S m a l l C r a f t C e n t e r (Massart Shellhouse) f r o m 7 to 9 a.m. o n e of these S a t u r d a y s , attend the Frostbite Regatta N o v . 10, o r c o n t a c t the R o w i n g A d v i s o r y C o u n c i l , c/o R e c r e a t i o n I n f o r m a t i o n O f f i c e , 5 2 0 1 G r e e n lake W a y N o r t h , Seattle, W A 98103. C o s t o f this year's c o u r s e is $30 a n d if there is e n o u g h interest they'll p r o b a b l y do it again next f a l l . . . D i d y o u s e e the p r e m i e r i s s u e of Washington m a g a z i n e ( J u l y / A u g . '84) f e a t u r i n g " T h e S i n g u l a r P l e a s u r e s o f W o o d o n W a t e r ? " T h e article, w h i c h c o v e r e d w o o d e n boating on Puget S o u n d , has w o n a prestigious design a w a r d f r o m Communication Arts Magazine, o n e of the m o s t i m p o r t a n t p u b l i c a t i o n s c o v e r i n g the g r a p h i c a r t s f i e l d , a n d w i l l

b e e x h i b i t e d i n C A ' s D e s i g n A n n u a l this N o v e m ber. ( L a s t y e a r t h e r e w e r e o v e r 21,000 e n t r i e s i n the d e s i g n c o m p e t i t i o n , a n d w i n n e r s i n c l u d e d Architectural Digest, Town & Country and Time.) T h e w o o d e n - b o a t article was pulled together b y C W B m e m b e r s C h a s D o w d (text) and M a r t y L o k e n ( p h o t o g r a p h s ) . . . If you have n o t i c e d all o f the c l a s s e s b e i n g offered b y t h e Northwest School of W o o d e n Boatbuilding in Port T o w n s e n d a n d want to k n o w m o r e , the s c h o o l n o w offers a c a t a l o g d e s c r i b i n g its i n s t r u c tors, a d m i s s i o n requirements, t e x t b o o k details, t u i t i o n fees a n d s o f o r t h . F o r a free c o p y , w r i t e t o The Northwest School of W o o d e n Boatbuilding, 251 O t t o S t r e e t , P o r t T o w n s e n d , W A 9 8 3 6 8 , o r c a l l (206) 3 8 5 - 4 9 4 8 . •

T H E CWB'S WEEKEND WARRIORS There's a new b r e e d of C W B m e m b e r at the boatshop o n weekends. D u b b e d " C W B Hosts," these badge-bearing volunteers m a k e a tremend o u s contribution to the C e n t e r by greeting m u s e u m v i s i t o r s , a n s w e r i n g q u e s t i o n s a b o u t the C W B a n d o u r exhibit boats, a n d helping i n the o p e r a t i o n o f o u r b o a t livery. It's a f u n w a y t o h e l p the C e n t e r , l e a r n m o r e a b o u t s m a l l w o o d e n b o a t s a n d e a r n s o m e free b o a t - u s e t i m e t o b o o t !

A n o t h e r new b r e e d , the Fleet M a i n t e n a n c e C o r p s , is learning about wooden boat maint e n a n c e a n d i s a c c o m p l i s h i n g lots o f m u c h n e e d e d w o r k o n o u r fleet o f t r a d i t i o n a l c r a f t .

W o r k parties are usually on S a t u r d a y s from 10 a . m . to 3 p . m . , a n d free b o a t t i m e is a g a i n a benefit.

If y o u w o u l d like to participate in either program, call C a r e n C r a n d e l l at 3 8 2 - B O A T .

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M c M I C K E N REVISITED In a p a s t a r t i c l e on N o r t h w e s t c r u i s e s I s a n g the praises of M c M i c k e n Island, d o w n in s o u t h S o u n d . I n fact, c r u i s i n g t o M c M i c k e n h a s b e c o m e a n a n n u a l e v e n t for u s .

T h i s y e a r w e d e c i d e d t o t r y s o m e t h i n g different. I n s t e a d o f s t a r t i n g a t J o h n s o n P o i n t a n d h e a d i n g n o r t h , w e l o o k e d for a p u t - i n that w o u l d allow a n e w a p p r o a c h , a n d what a g e m we found!

V a u g h n B a y is n o r t h of M c M i c k e n in a jewell i k e s e t t i n g o n the east s i d e o f C a s e Inlet. P r o t e c t e d b y a n i n t r i g u i n g s a n d s p i t a t its m o u t h , t h e bay w o u l d be p l a c i d in most weather. T h e spit, a n d the excellent launching r a m p at the northeast c o r n e r o f the b a y , a r e b o t h m a i n t a i n e d b y t h e State Dept. of Natural Resources.

A trip from V a u g h n B a y to M c M i c k e n c a n be d o n e in a n u m b e r of w a y s . Y o u c o u l d s w i n g past S t r e t c h I s l a n d a n d a l o n g the e a s t s h o r e o f H a r t s t e n e Island. Y o u c o u l d travel straight d o w n C a s e Inlet. O r y o u c o u l d h u g the w e s t s h o r e o f K e y Peninsula, passing between it a n d H e r r o n Island before cutting a c r o s s t o M c M i c k e n . E a c h a p p r o a c h h a s its c h a r m .

T h i s is a longer trip than starting f r o m J o h n s o n Point. Y o u ' l l cover 7-1/2 nautical miles instead of 5 - 1 / 2 ( e a c h w a y ) , b u t for b e a u t y t h e r e i s n o c o n t e s t !

Finding V a u g h n B a y is an interesting exercise i n l a n d - b a s e d n a v i g a t i o n . H e a d w e s t a c r o s s the T a c o m a N a r r o w s bridge on H i g h w a y 16 until the exit for H i g h w a y 3 0 2 i s r e a c h e d . T a k e 3 0 2 w e s t , through K e y C e n t e r , until the c o m m u n i t y of V a u g h n appears. After driving past we s p o t t e d a sign b a c k in the b u s h e s inviting w o r s h i p p e r s to a V a u g h n c h u r c h a n d t u r n e d off t h e r e . T h e r o a d s o o n i n t e r s e c t e d o n e l e a d i n g d o w n t o the l a u n c h ing r a m p , w h i c h i s o n e l o n g b l o c k d o w n the hill.

— Dave Cox. •