Yet another question for Anita

**WWheeler** · 08-12-2002, 07:58 AM

Anita:

Owner of a local boatyard is trying to sell a pretty thing, which he claims is an Al Mason design, called an "Oskett" or something like that. Built in Nova Scotia, 60's in E. cedar/mahogany. 25 feet? I've searched in the WB index, but I haven't seen anything.

Sorry, no photos yet. I will try to get back this week.

[ 08-12-2002, 01:47 PM: Message edited by: WWheeler ]

**A. Mason** · 08-12-2002, 11:29 AM

That would be OSTKUST, a 24-foot sloop designed by my father in 1944 for THE RUDDER magazine as a"how-to-build" design. She's the younger, bigger sister of SØRKUST [mentioned in other threads].

OSTKUST was an incredibly popular design, both as a production boat by Joel Johnson of CT, and by individuals, literally worldwide. In additon to boats in New England and the West Coast, there is at least one in Japan, and three or more in Australia.

Some OSTKUSTs have remained with the original family for over 25 years. Others have been bought and sold numerous times.

OSTKUST derives from the traditional Scandinavian folk boat, though she appeared prior to American interest in the type. [My father's in-laws were Norwegian boat builders.]

Needless to say, plans are still available for the original, as well as the Mark II version [slightly shorter cockpit and "modern" rig.]

Hope this helps,
Anita

**Wild Dingo** · 08-12-2002, 11:54 AM

mmmmmmmm Ostkust... older bigger sister of Sørkust???.... Scandinavian??... Have I ever mentioned my love affair with Scandinavian boats?... mmmmm

Now along these lines... there must be a way that we can get some scans of the basic profile onto this here woodenboat.com site???

eeerrr thats just so we know what your talking about off course!!

Soooo Im wondering Anita... Im getting ready for Sørkust is the Ostkust about the same figure?... errrr barter price?

Take it easy
Shane

**A. Mason** · 08-12-2002, 01:52 PM

OSTKUST is the "younger" bigger sister of SØRKUST, and has a transom stern as opposed to SØRKUST being a double-ender. Same agreement can apply, shipping cost plus.

As for "boat porn," I'll privately send you some pixs and you can post them. I only have a few, and the family favorite of course is the half-model.

Take care,
Anita

**Wild Dingo** · 08-13-2002, 01:46 AM

Gidday Anita... "boat porn"??? Who asked for boat porn?... mmmm?? me? Not me!!! No way!

... I asked for lines plans for all to view!... oh right that is pure "boat porn" huh?!

Sooo for all us pure boat porn lovers... first two are not pure but none the less boat porn... the first is a half model of Ostkust because Anita loves it and shes a gem...

I now show a photo of a christening... aint it sweet?

Now for my favorite Al Mason design... so far...

Drum roll please!..

Ladies and Gennelmens! I present Al Masons Sørkust in her purest form...

PURE boat porn at its best!!

The rest can be seen here... Al Mason Design Imagestation Album

Sooo take it easy
Shane

**Wild Dingo** · 08-13-2002, 07:58 AM

Yep sure hope Anita keeps sending this stuff its purely aweflaminsome!!

Take it easy
Shane

**A. Mason** · 08-13-2002, 09:28 PM

Thank you, Shane!!! I'll send you the "porn" that started my father's folkboat designs within 24 hours - the family's "love boat!"

After a moment's thought, I'll do one better. I'll send you the PDF story of JAN and you can let me know which pieces of "porn" you would like to post.

Many of my father's designs derived/evolved from little JAN. She's also the one that my father raced against L. Francis Herreshoff and his boat SUICIDE in Marblehead and beat.

**Paul Griffin** · 08-14-2002, 07:45 AM

Anita

Can you send me some info on Carinita. I think I'm in love. Is it a plywood construction? How much are the plans?

Thanks

Paul
paul9_6@hotmail.com

**Wild Dingo** · 08-14-2002, 10:01 AM

Originally posted by Paul Griffin:
Anita
I think I'm in love.

ROFLMAO!!!
But Paul did you see "Cogge"???... oh and what about Sørkust???... What about Ostkust???... Man!! so many good boats but only one lifetime... and to think there are even more???!!!... sigh

Take it easy
Shane

**Donn** · 08-14-2002, 10:18 AM

Anita...that half-model is absolutely stunning! How big is it?

**A. Mason** · 08-14-2002, 10:53 AM

The OSTKUST half model is 7-1/2 in. x 25-1/2 in. It was made by Cook of Stamford, CT, decades ago. Cook was the only model maker my father trusted to make a perfectly faired hull. We have eight half models created by Cook. He worked in the same scale as the actual drawings. The bigger the boat, the bigger the model.

Anita

**Roger Stouff** · 08-14-2002, 11:11 AM

Anita, was looking through the website, and I'm sure we're all driving you nuts around here with requests for boat porn and info, but what about Alvina? A small pic, perhaps?

**A. Mason** · 08-14-2002, 08:49 PM

Okay, Roger, I'll get somethiing put together on the 28-foot double-ender ALVINA this weekend and send it to Shane.

Ironically, I believe she's the one Alden tried to claim as his design after he had laid my father off from work. She was reviewed in the February 1940 issue of "The Rudder" under the name VASTKUST.

I changed her name to ALVINA when I discovered my father had subsequently named a 31-foot double-ender VASTKUST as well. The second one was not a Mark II version, so re-naming was in order.

Since she was the first boat designed by my father after he graduated from Webb Institute, I decided to call her ALVINA, the name he had originally intended to name me. My mother vetoed my being named directly after my father.

And yes, there is also a NORDKUST, a 33-foot double-ender. OSTKUST is the only member of the group that is not a double-ender.

All this flurry about seeing examples of my father's work is actually an inspiration for me. For years I've wondered whether it was worth the time to scan and transcribe everything. It's really nice to think that there is still an interest in his work.

Anita

**Dave Fleming** · 08-14-2002, 09:10 PM

Anita, I for one am delighted that you are so graciously willing to post, compose PDFs and in general share the lifetime of work of your father with the Forums.

With Thanks
dave

**Wild Dingo** · 08-14-2002, 10:52 PM

And aside from the first look at them

...I for one am quite proud to be the one putting the imagestation album together!... What an absolute treat for this fella down under!

You send what you want posted Anita and I will post it there... but be aware!!!... this will add considerably to my and others already well and truely confuded state!!

But dont let that stop you!... As I think Ive said in an email one time many of the old fellas designs "sites" have very little on them by way of lines etc... due to exactly what your experiencing in getting it all together!... and so one goes and looks at the sites {Petersons comes to mind here who have lass than 5 designs on the site} seeing nothing that they like and so they leave without further contact... this is I believe a shame... Not having a dig here just the more people can see of the various designs... the more opportunity there is for your dads and other old fellas designs to be built.

Pleasures all mine!

Take it easy
Shane

[ 08-15-2002, 12:03 AM: Message edited by: Wild Dingo ]

**Roger Stouff** · 08-14-2002, 11:24 PM

Thanks, Anita. I am in agreement with the others here, your efforts are praiseworthy and generous. And as you said, the excitement we all feel speaking to you about your father's work is a reward in itself. And I believe the "other" rewards will soon follow, as you so justly deserve!

I think you've discovered more than "an interest" in your father's work--I think you've found a great excitement, enthusiasm and joy among us that is perhaps the greatest reward. My father was a craftsman of a different type--he built small wooden bateaus but he was mostly known as a Native American craftsman -- he was the last traditional chief of my tribe, the Chitimacha of Louisiana -- and his crafts are all over the world now. Everytime someone recalls his name and says they have something he made, it gives me great joy and satisfaction that the legacy he labored so hard at lives on. I think you know that feeling.

Best regards,
R

**Alan D. Hyde** · 08-15-2002, 11:00 AM

Well said, Roger.

These sorts of things take a man or a woman a step beyond his or her own mortality, and are worthy of our heartiest praise.

I am personally delighted by what Anita has been doing, and by the similar sort of effort, Roger, that you are making with respect to your own heritage.

God bless you both.

What you are both doing raises monuments which honor not only your predecessors, but also (in all good humility) yourselves.

Alan

**Roger Stouff** · 08-15-2002, 12:44 PM

Thanks, Alan.

"I never want to leave this country; all my relatives are lying here in the ground. And when I fall to pieces I am going to fall to pieces here." Shunkaha Napin (Wolf Necklace)

[ 08-15-2002, 01:46 PM: Message edited by: Roger Stouff ]

**Wild Dingo** · 08-15-2002, 11:05 PM

Roger
I have just recieved more info from Anita... {thanks again Anita

} and so Ive updated the album and it now includes Alvina... 28ft LOA 7'9 Beam 7880lbs displacement... sweeeeet she be!

Al Mason Imagestation album

Hope this helps!

Take it easy
Shane

**Andrew** · 08-17-2002, 01:39 PM

Thanks for making the info available Ann and thanks to Shane for setting up the Imagestation site. Those beauties need to be where people can find them.

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