Depoe Bay Boat Show and Crab Feed 2013

Doryman just got back from this years Depoe Bay Wooden Boat Show and Crab Feed. Being one of the first local shows of the season, the question on everyones mind is the weather. The participants and visitors to this annual April event are true coastal denizens who know to bring layers of clothing and be prepared for everything from sun to hail to snow.

This year, the weather gods smiled on Depoe Bay and though we felt a few sprinkles, the sun peeked out from behind scattered clouds often enough to keep spirits high. The harbor is a tiny hole in the rocks named for old Chief Depoe, who welcomed white settlers here in the late 1800s. The once thriving commercial fishery has been reduced, but a lively charter service thrives on the local bottom fishery and whale watching. Theres a lot of pride in this little coastal town and the residents pull out the stops to welcome guests with fresh cooked crab and amateur boat builders come from all around to show their craft and get caught up with gossip after a long, wet winter.

As for gossip, Doryman often gets so consumed with visiting, he almost forgets to take pictures to share with all of you. So here are a few, though to see all the boats, youll have to stop in next year yourself. You wont be disappointed, I guarantee it. Dont forget your raincoat and sunscreen!

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TC Vessel Registration Update

A few weeks ago I wrote about the new regulations from Transport Canada regarding the registration of canoes & kayaks. Well, it seems that they have backpedaled (back paddled?) just a bit from the earlier registration requirements.

At the Transport Canada Procedures for Registration of Small Non-Pleasure Vessels in Canada web page, there is a link that reads "Note for human-powered non-pleasure vessels (e.g. canoes or kayaks)." Following the link brings you to a page which includes the following statement:

Note: Transport Canada is currently reviewing the Vessel Registration and Tonnage Regulations for human-powered non-pleasure vessels and examining the feasibility of exemptions for certain groups, so that registration is sensible, efficient and fair for all Canadian boaters.

So, it would seem that everything is on hold for the moment until they get things sorted out.  It looks like the efforts of Ralph, Alan, and numerous other folks at the forums of MyCCR.com and WestCoastPaddler.com have been effective in bringing this issue and their concerns to the fore. They seem to have gotten the attention of not only the media, but also the Minister of Transportation. However, that doesnt mean that the issue is done with, not yet.

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Winter Sailing

Beaufort 6. The first red flag goes up the pole on the waterfront. Long waves begin to form. White foam crests are scattered across the bay.

Martin waits patiently aboard Clover. The winds are obviously increasing, so wed better get going. As we motor out of the boat basin, theres not another boat in sight.

Some airborne spray drifts over the foredeck. Neoprene gloves lay dripping in the cockpit after having been blown off the dock into the water. Cold hands and face indicate better than any calendar that winter has set in. This blustery day heralds the first Sunday sail for us this month. Our friend Claire catches us passing in front of the ferry dock.

Soon, cold hands are forgotten in the joy of the day. Spindrift blurs the definition between sky and water. Clover scuds along at a happy six knots. Theres no where to go, were already there.

The sea heaps up. Some foam from breaking waves blows into streaks along the buried rail.
Beaufort 7 indicates a near gale. We take cover back inside the breakwater, congratulating ourselves on a morning sail well done. Looking forward already to next Sundays congregation.

When a sailor sees a sky like this, its recommended to take cover. Why does it give me such a thrill? (The man must be out of his mind.)

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Design 979 Maybe VII

The 6-meter racing yacht Maybe VII (US87, originally S66) was built in 1952 to compete in the 1952 Helsinki Olympics and the 1953 One Ton Cup, which was held on Long Island Sound. The boat was built of wood by the Tore Holm Yacht Yard of Gamleb, Sweden.  Holm was a very famous yacht designer in his own right.

She eventually made her way to the West Coast and is now part of the Puget Sound fleet.  She has undergone at least two major restorations.

Here is the Lines Plan.

Principal Dimensions

LOA 36-2"

LWL 23-9"

Beam 6-0"

Draft 5-5"

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Design 2228 C1 Saudade II Pinta II

Two identical sisters were built to this design for repeat customers for the German Admirals Cup Team of 1975. The boats were constructed of aluminum by the yard of Walter Huisman of Vollenhove, Holland. I apologize that we dont have any photographs of these nice looking boats.

Here is the general arrangement Plan.

Principal Dimensions
LOA 51-2"
LWL 36-10"
Beam 13-10"
Draft 7-7"
Displacement 27,902 lbs
Ballast 16,700 lbs
Sail Area 1,012 sq ft

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Sailing with Andrews Navigator Wren

Sailing Ellie alongside my friend Andrews beautiful Navigator Wren at the Port Townsend Pocket Yacht Palooza Crooza around Marrowstone Island, Washington was a real treat.

 

Andrew did a magnificent job building Wren. Her beautifully varnished seat tops and laminated tiller are especially beautiful.  I love her colors, and envy the batten arrangement in her mainsail, which allows the main to be dropped without removing the battens, unlike mine.  Comparing boats was a learning experience for us both, as we pondered  each others ideas.  There are more photos of Wren here.

The Palooza and followup cruise were both fantastic.  We had every kind of weather, which made the trip quite interesting.  It was great meeting John Welsford again, albeit briefly, as John was quite busy tending to his Scamp Camp.

For more photos of the Pocket Yacht Palooza and Cruise, click this link.

Cant wait to do this again next year!

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More on Design 1557 Spirit Class

As a follow up to my posting of earlier today regarding design 1557-C3, here is Orpheus, hull number five of the series.  She was built of wood by American Marine of Hong Kong.  Her cabin trunk is specific to this hull. I think the house is very nicely proportioned.  There is 6-1" headroom under the deckhouse. Image courtesy of Jeff Sanders and Wooden Boat magazine.

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