Interesting Take on the Use of an Old, Rescued Wooden Boat

[CharlieCobra]

Some of you have read my Seasmoke threads. Here's a Portuguese racing sailor's view on modifying the boat. Interesting... The purists might scream but it's better than ending up in a dumpster..

My take on Seasmoke

Tell me what ya think....

[zeehag]

purist scream may not make a difference==looks like she will be a lot of fun. the mods are modernizations which could actually make her more attractive-- she is sweet-- have fun with the modifications... ...

[James S]

I think its got some merit....

[marc2012]

She might prefer to just die.marc

[vreference]

Originally Posted by marc2012

She might prefer to just die.marc

[daddle]

Originally Posted by CharlieCobra

Tell me what ya think....

"A waste of a nice rig."

What's your goal? To just make a huge wake while sailing sideways?

[CharlieCobra]

Originally Posted by daddle

"A waste of a nice rig."

What's your goal? To just make a huge wake while sailing sideways?

Not my goal at all. The fella that came up with this is entertaining doing something off the wall and unique with an old wooden boat. His state of mind with regards to her historic value is that if she was so important, she should not have been headed for the dumpster when I got her. Besides, being European, American History doesn't hold a lot of value to him on a personal level. He figures that the purists should put up or shut up... Me? I'd rather see her be converted and loved rather than dismantled and parted out....

I'd rather return her to bristol but would probably enjoy the technical challenge of doing the conversion. My primary concern is to keep the shop doors open.....

[hummingway]

There's a real tradition of sailors modifying boats to improve sailing and suit their purposes. I think saving the boat is a great idea and if that means it is modified to someones usage that seems ok to me. Being an old wooden boat doesn't make it historically significant and therefore a museum piece. I would prefer it restored traditionally but I'm not not hiring you to do it so who cares

[Bash]

call me a purist, but I'm not crazy about mating the fat-head rig with such a traditional vessel. I'd rather see it bristol. Also worried that it will be a bit tender as re-designed.

[CharlieCobra]

I agree. I took exception to that sail m'self. The boat will likely lose waterline when the interior is stripped, even with the new interior. Would we have to add ballast down low in that keel extension (which BTW, is already on this boat and I have no clue yet how it was done) or no? I need to get the boat to the shop and find out more about that keel.

[James S]

I agree that the flat head sail may seem out of place.
But I can see some of the other changes turning her into a real "gentleman's weekender" type boat..
This may be a better market for selling.
It'll be interesting to see some of your cost estimates.