Jester
 

For those that yearn to go a'boating in small boats see:
http://www.ybw.com/forums/showflat.p...page/0#1381661

This is a site discussing the Jester Challenge, a bi-annual event in
which boats of under 30ft compete in a single-handed race to Atlantic
destinations. In June 2008, the race was from Plymouth, England to the
Azores. In June 2010, it will leaves Plymouth, England for Rhode
Island, America.

For those interested, Jester is a 25ft. folkboat hull with a single
mast junk rig, oars for auxiliary power and a vane steered designed by
the original owner. she was built by Harry Feltham in Portsmouth in
1953 and sailed by Blondie Hasler.

Blondie Hasler died in 1987 and the present owner, who bought Jester
in 1964, has made ten transatlantic passages as well as a number of
other ocean voyages, including five from England to the Azores and
back.

For those sitting in a small boat, believing that "Your Boat" is too
small to go a'cruising the 19 ft. circumnavigator and Jester should
show you the errors in your way of thinking..

Who was it that said, "you have nothing to fear but fear itself"?
Cheers,

Bruce
(bruceinbangkokatgmaildotcom)

Jester
 

"Bruce In Bangkok" wrote in message
...
For those that yearn to go a'boating in small boats see:
http://www.ybw.com/forums/showflat.p...page/0#1381661

This is a site discussing the Jester Challenge, a bi-annual event in
which boats of under 30ft compete in a single-handed race to Atlantic
destinations. In June 2008, the race was from Plymouth, England to the
Azores. In June 2010, it will leaves Plymouth, England for Rhode
Island, America.

For those interested, Jester is a 25ft. folkboat hull with a single
mast junk rig, oars for auxiliary power and a vane steered designed by
the original owner. she was built by Harry Feltham in Portsmouth in
1953 and sailed by Blondie Hasler.

Blondie Hasler died in 1987 and the present owner, who bought Jester
in 1964, has made ten transatlantic passages as well as a number of
other ocean voyages, including five from England to the Azores and
back.

For those sitting in a small boat, believing that "Your Boat" is too
small to go a'cruising the 19 ft. circumnavigator and Jester should
show you the errors in your way of thinking..

Who was it that said, "you have nothing to fear but fear itself"?
Cheers,


Even a 19-foot sailboat does a better job of sailing across oceans than that
dock of yours.

Wilbur Hubbard

Jester
 

Bruce In Bangkok wrote:
For those that yearn to go a'boating in small boats see:


For those sitting in a small boat, believing that "Your Boat" is too
small to go a'cruising the 19 ft. circumnavigator and Jester should
show you the errors in your way of thinking..

Who was it that said, "you have nothing to fear but fear itself"?
FDR said that.

I don't think it's fear but comfort. The difference between what CW
calls a mid sized cruiser (45 feet) and a pocket cruiser (34 feet or so)
is the larger boat has more land oriented comforts. Once you get to full
sized cruisers you get everything from land right up to a washing
machine for clothes.

The first fully founded boat I ever saw for short handing long distance
was a 27' Albin Vega. It changed my world's view of what one can do on
the ocean and directly led to me and my late wife living aboard and
sailing about for 6 years on a 32' boat.

Later, after she died, I took off alone on a 42' boat finding the
handling to be much more difficult (especially landing at a dock with a
current) and the extra features such as refer, freezer, hot / cold
pressure, 120 afloat (!!) and so forth to be as much an annoyance as a
pleasure. I will admit that a hot fresh water shower on the anchor after
a passage is one of life's enormous luxuries, but the rest of it? I'm
really not sure.

I am sure that folks will NOT give up land life's comforts to sail
today, however.

Jester
 

On Sat, 17 Jan 2009 08:36:00 -0700, slide
wrote:

Bruce In Bangkok wrote:
For those that yearn to go a'boating in small boats see:


For those sitting in a small boat, believing that "Your Boat" is too
small to go a'cruising the 19 ft. circumnavigator and Jester should
show you the errors in your way of thinking..

Who was it that said, "you have nothing to fear but fear itself"?
FDR said that.

I don't think it's fear but comfort. The difference between what CW
calls a mid sized cruiser (45 feet) and a pocket cruiser (34 feet or so)
is the larger boat has more land oriented comforts. Once you get to full
sized cruisers you get everything from land right up to a washing
machine for clothes.

The first fully founded boat I ever saw for short handing long distance
was a 27' Albin Vega. It changed my world's view of what one can do on
the ocean and directly led to me and my late wife living aboard and
sailing about for 6 years on a 32' boat.

Later, after she died, I took off alone on a 42' boat finding the
handling to be much more difficult (especially landing at a dock with a
current) and the extra features such as refer, freezer, hot / cold
pressure, 120 afloat (!!) and so forth to be as much an annoyance as a
pleasure. I will admit that a hot fresh water shower on the anchor after
a passage is one of life's enormous luxuries, but the rest of it? I'm
really not sure.

I am sure that folks will NOT give up land life's comforts to sail
today, however.

Your comments about "calls a mid sized cruiser (45 feet)" is
interesting. Only a few years ago a mid-sized cruiser seen here was
about 30 - 35 feet long. Now, as you say, 40 ft., and I see many boats
not that are 40+ feet.

Richer folks? I don't know.

On the other hand I know a number of people who are still sailing
their 30-some foot boats complete with freezers and fridges - albeit
engine driven compressors. But no hot water over her in the tropics
:-)

But my post was aimed at all the people that somehow think that their
boat is "too small" to go a'cruising. It ain't!
Cheers,

Bruce
(bruceinbangkokatgmaildotcom)

Jester
 

Bruce In Bangkok wrote:
On Sat, 17 Jan 2009 08:36:00 -0700, slide
wrote:


Your comments about "calls a mid sized cruiser (45 feet)" is
interesting. Only a few years ago a mid-sized cruiser seen here was
about 30 - 35 feet long. Now, as you say, 40 ft., and I see many boats
not that are 40+ feet.

Richer folks? I don't know.

On the other hand I know a number of people who are still sailing
their 30-some foot boats complete with freezers and fridges - albeit
engine driven compressors. But no hot water over her in the tropics
:-)

But my post was aimed at all the people that somehow think that their
boat is "too small" to go a'cruising. It ain't!

I stopped subbing years ago and recently re-subbed to CW finding the
change in the definitions of minimalist cruiser / adequate and so forth
amazing. It's as if the mag assumes the core reader can purchase a boat
costing $300k - $600k and then keep it up, moor it, maintain it, and so
forth. Obviously that's wrong as any trip to any marina outside of Ft.
Laud will reveal. Most folks have much smaller and older boats.

Perhaps it's like Car and Driver which tests cars few readers will ever
see much less own. OTOH, C&D doesn't define a McLaren as a 'mid priced
sports car' either.

But maybe you have the right of it because you are seeing the larger
boats at what for many is an overseas destination and I'm at the
launching point.

Here's an irony of some sort. Both of us have lived aboard bigger boats
but my wife and I are, if we ever get another boat, seriously eying a
Mac 26. No, we aren't headed for NZ from AK on a Mac 26 but we both
think we can have a lot more enjoyment sailing shorter distances with no
maintenance hassles. Well, we haven't downsized yet, but we are thinking
on it.

Jester
 

On Sun, 18 Jan 2009 07:41:59 -0700, slide
wrote:

Bruce In Bangkok wrote:
On Sat, 17 Jan 2009 08:36:00 -0700, slide
wrote:


Your comments about "calls a mid sized cruiser (45 feet)" is
interesting. Only a few years ago a mid-sized cruiser seen here was
about 30 - 35 feet long. Now, as you say, 40 ft., and I see many boats
not that are 40+ feet.

Richer folks? I don't know.

On the other hand I know a number of people who are still sailing
their 30-some foot boats complete with freezers and fridges - albeit
engine driven compressors. But no hot water over her in the tropics
:-)

But my post was aimed at all the people that somehow think that their
boat is "too small" to go a'cruising. It ain't!

I stopped subbing years ago and recently re-subbed to CW finding the
change in the definitions of minimalist cruiser / adequate and so forth
amazing. It's as if the mag assumes the core reader can purchase a boat
costing $300k - $600k and then keep it up, moor it, maintain it, and so
forth. Obviously that's wrong as any trip to any marina outside of Ft.
Laud will reveal. Most folks have much smaller and older boats.

Perhaps it's like Car and Driver which tests cars few readers will ever
see much less own. OTOH, C&D doesn't define a McLaren as a 'mid priced
sports car' either.

But maybe you have the right of it because you are seeing the larger
boats at what for many is an overseas destination and I'm at the
launching point.

Here's an irony of some sort. Both of us have lived aboard bigger boats
but my wife and I are, if we ever get another boat, seriously eying a
Mac 26. No, we aren't headed for NZ from AK on a Mac 26 but we both
think we can have a lot more enjoyment sailing shorter distances with no
maintenance hassles. Well, we haven't downsized yet, but we are thinking
on it.

A few years ago I converted my main sail to roller reefing. Everyone
in the marina commented, The majority saying "No Good", "Sail Shape"
Yadda, Yadda. Fair got me a bit gun shy, I can tell you.

Anyway. I got it finished and the maiden trip was down to Langkawi,
Malaysia - about 150 miles; and return. I discovered that the overall
sailing time was reduced, the reason being that as it is so easy to
roll and unroll the sail I spend more time with maximum sail area, for
the conditions, then previously.

I firmly believe that a boat that is best fitted to requirements will
give the most satisfaction.
Cheers,

Bruce
(bruceinbangkokatgmaildotcom)