Ruaridh
05-06-2009, 04:03 AM
Hi,
I used to participate in this forum a few years back when I had my Folkboat; I received great help and know it to be a good bunch of people. I've recently got back into sailing somewhat commercially so apologize if I'm bending the rules of the forum!
I've become involved with the yacht that Dr. T Harrison Butler built for himself in 1935, Vindilis, and thought she would be of some interest to the members here. You can see pictures of her and read more on my website here: http://www.westcoastyachting.co.uk/brokerage/vindilis/index.html
Apart from being a particularly fine classic, what makes her so interesting is that Dr. Butler himself wrote at some length in the yachting publications of the time about his various designs, including analysis of Vindilis immediately before and after she was built. All of these articles are still accessible and make fascinating reading. As many of you will know, some were compiled into a book - Cruising Yachts, Design and Performance which went into print after his death.
Dr. Butler enthusiastically endorsed the (new at the time) Metacentric Shelf theory which tied with his goal of perfect balance at all points of sail. In the days before computers this was difficult to calculate but he seemed to have a natural feel for it, making for very sweet-handling yachts.
Vindilis herself is in fine fettle, having had a major rebuild in 2002, although her interior still requires re-fitting (all the better for those of us who like to see the important bits!!).
Obviously she is now for sale (hence my earlier apology) but with the locations involved I hope you'll forgive this posting, I often used to see links posted to boats for sale on ebay so surely not much different.
All the best,
Ruaridh.
I used to participate in this forum a few years back when I had my Folkboat; I received great help and know it to be a good bunch of people. I've recently got back into sailing somewhat commercially so apologize if I'm bending the rules of the forum!
I've become involved with the yacht that Dr. T Harrison Butler built for himself in 1935, Vindilis, and thought she would be of some interest to the members here. You can see pictures of her and read more on my website here: http://www.westcoastyachting.co.uk/brokerage/vindilis/index.html
Apart from being a particularly fine classic, what makes her so interesting is that Dr. Butler himself wrote at some length in the yachting publications of the time about his various designs, including analysis of Vindilis immediately before and after she was built. All of these articles are still accessible and make fascinating reading. As many of you will know, some were compiled into a book - Cruising Yachts, Design and Performance which went into print after his death.
Dr. Butler enthusiastically endorsed the (new at the time) Metacentric Shelf theory which tied with his goal of perfect balance at all points of sail. In the days before computers this was difficult to calculate but he seemed to have a natural feel for it, making for very sweet-handling yachts.
Vindilis herself is in fine fettle, having had a major rebuild in 2002, although her interior still requires re-fitting (all the better for those of us who like to see the important bits!!).
Obviously she is now for sale (hence my earlier apology) but with the locations involved I hope you'll forgive this posting, I often used to see links posted to boats for sale on ebay so surely not much different.
All the best,
Ruaridh.