Knowledge of Pinky Schooners being used for cruising offshore?

[rkarakai21]

Hello there. New to the forum. I am sailor and wooden boat nut from Vancouver Island looking for a heavy full keeled cruiser, either in a Gaff rigged ketch arrangement or sloop. Anyway, I'm looking to cruise eventually to the South Pacific with trial runs around Vancouver Island and a trial passage to Hawaii. I'm very enamoured with the Norwegian double enders eg. Colin Archer Pilot vessel style. A possibility has come my way in the form of a Bill Garden Pinky schooner, 28' on deck, 40' overall, 16000 lb displacement. I know these were traditionally used coastally as work boats back east but has anyone any knowledge of one making an ocean passage? By the Length, Draught and displacement she would seem to be a solid little vessel but if anyone has input as to their seaworthiness it would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

Ryan

[KJB]

Hi Ryan. Don't have any wisdom for you on the Pinky, but I am a fellow wooden boat guy. Anyway, welcome aboard and all the best with your endeavors!

[rkarakai21]

Thanks!

[Benz]

I've seen some in action around Gloucester...doesn't seem like there'd be a lot of room inside with the stern all pinched up...not sure they were meant for long-term living.
For me it would all depend on quality of build, if beam , draught and disp. were right.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Ryan.

[fatherchronica]

Lady Ben lists a lot of older wooden boats for sale. It is a fun site for just perusing classic yachts.

[Dougtiff]

Back in the 80'S, while living in Singapore, a Pinky sailed in, had just been launched, after being built in Trengano, E. coast of Malaysia, about 45' on deck, with of coarse a LONG bowsprit,She was built for an American, fisherman from Alaska, anyway, She was sailed across the Indian ocean, and up to the E. coast of America, rumor had it, that they had a hell of a fast passage, i was on board once, and i must say, there wasn't much room for the size, engine right in the way of a salon area, and heavy gear, being a Gaffer, certainly not a single hander, interestingly a number of year' later, She showed up in Port Townsend , Wa., purchased by a knowledgeable seaman, and equipped for a blue water cruise with family, and made it to i believe Australia, sold, another vessel purchased to complete circumnavigation.

[disputin]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOmlQcdN0D4

This video seems to make the case for a liveaboard. Not too far from you and there is contact info at the end of the video.

Sean

[Mike Banks]

Tom Colvin designs them in steel--the plans are available.

[picklesandjesse]

Back in the mid 70's a 28ft Pinky schooner arrived in Coffs harbour that had sailed from California. No engine and very little freeboard. I remember it well. The owner was very colorful to say the least. Had a lot of fun with him and it was a shame when he sailed off again..... but what happened to to the boat ???Never heard.

[CF32907]

Originally Posted by Mike Banks

Tom Colvin designs them in steel--the plans are available.

Tom Colvins were not of Pinky Schooners but were a Designed called a Gazelle, these were designed as a cargo schooner that virtually all were fitted out as private sailing vessels. They were somewhere around 43-44' on deck and about 50' OA from what I remember. Tom really liked the Oriental two and three masted Junk rigs for his boats, some had conventional Marconi rigs, but no many. None had the huge raked back spars of the Pinkies. Tom built his boats just outside of St.Augustine, Fl. One of his hallmarks was splitting a 4" well casing pipe to make the rounded soft chine, instead of the hard but weld of most steel boats.
I use to stop in his place and visit when ever I had a survey up that way, nice guy. Capt. Vince Rakstis, Ret.