Hope your Hinckley yawl acquisition is working out. If you haven’t already heard, up until the
fiberglass era Hinckley (and others) referred to boat sizes based on waterline length. So I’m thinking the boat in consideration is called a Hinckley 34.
We have owned a Hinckley
Bermuda 40 for 26 years now, having cruised on her for four, and, after a hurricane-induced sinking, four more years of 8 hour days rebuilding her.
I spend about an average of 4 to 6 hours caring for her for every hour I spend sailing her. And she’s
fiberglass. I have no business with a wooden boat. My hat is off with great admiration for those that do.
If you go or have gone that
route, there are a couple Hinckley-oriented facebook pages. In addition, Barry Hinckley, grandson of founder Henry Hinckley, has created a website titled Hinckley Club that seeks to connect Hinckley owners and build a database of all Hinckley-built boats, sail or
power,
wood or fiberglass.
I firmly believe that the beautiful, strong, impeccably crafted, great-sailing Hinckley sailboats are a huge contribution to the American sailing canon, and those entrusted with their care are stewards of our collective nautical heritage.
Good luck. Happy varnishing. Happy sailing.