Bartender 19 - "Ed"

[Yeadon]

A quick intro and update on my Bartender 19 build.

[Liberty53]

Sweet Project!

Thanks for the video.

-Derek

[timber_cruiser]

Very nice work! This should be a very seaworthy boat. You mentioned getting a Yamaha 40 hp. I have a 40 hp 4 cycle outboard, it is a very quiet well made motor.

[Boatsbgood]

Hi Tim!
I pm'd you a while back about this boat, and I'm very happy to see what you're doing. As I said in my PM I had a poorly built one here, loved it and was going to improve it, but due to communication failures with a friend who was storing it, she got cut up. I love my boats but my friends more, so Im moving on. (accepting the tragic truth that you are keeping Ed rather than sell him to me), a few thoughts about those boats.
I did have my boat in service for a time (although with a Honda 40 with electronic problems, so low power only), and mostly loved it. They slither up on plane, no big hump, and are very power efficient. They are a bit dory-like, tender when light though they stiffen up nicely with heel or weight. Lots of flare so pretty dry. Smooth ride in chop, very nice for her size. 40hp was plenty power. The builder of mine fussed around with the well, and indeed it was problematic, lotta water shooting up and into the boat, mostly at higher speeds, I never got to the stage of trying to resolve that. I only ran her at 10-12 K, which was fine for what I was doing but she was clearly capable and competent for more speed. At displacement/maneuvering speeds there was a strange helm/steering response, sometimes backward from what one expected with steering input, which I thought was connected to the motor well problems, but I never identified the source. She could have been twisted, but as she was cut up, we shall never know. I much preferred to steer standing up, and thought to reconfigure the helm/dash to optimize standing steering, with a horizontal-ish wheel. She didnt pound, a nice attribute in a small mo-bo. The well/motor clearance situation is a real challenge, and to that end I obtained a 4 stroke Yanmar outboard, not now available in the US but a wonderful engine (I had 2, 27hp, on a FRP daily driver) . Those motors have the powerhead high, and below that they are very narrow, like an older two-stroke, so that there is no need for a bulge in the well. Yanmar dropped them from US distribution in the early 2000's when they did not meet emission requirements (cause diesel, even tho 4 stroke). If you'd like to discuss any aspect of those boats, I'm happy to do so. I've the plans, but in the near term I'm unable to embark on that project, so possibly helping you with yours would be a pleasure.
But anyway, like and appreciate your project, and your posting.
Brian

[WI-Tom]

I often think about how a nice little slow powerboat would be great. Or a not-so-little liveaboard motor cruiser.

How much of a cabin will there be, Tim? A Scamp-style cuddy? Or a real cabin? A galley of some kind, or basic camping accommodations only?

How fast does this boat go? Is this a "putter along at walking pace" kind of boat, or something else entirely?

Thanks for the videos--it's always nice to have interesting boaty things to watch/read during the Long Dark of winter.

Tom

[Paul Schweiss]

The Bartenders are rather incredible small craft, they are all capable of 30 knots top end and very economical cruising speeds in the mid teens, IF the plans are followed and weight kept down.
I had the pleasure of meeting George Calkins, the designer and a prolific boatbuilder. Somebody wanted me to quote them a price and had talked George into delivering the plans to me. I was in Tacoma and he was living on Marrowstone but had business in the big city. He was lean, quiet, confident, and very interesting to talk with, his career included larger fish boats, some sailing yachts and hundreds of small craft. Going from plank on frame to the new marine Fir plywood.
He told a great story about when the USCG was evaluating the Bartenders in the 50’s for their use. George put out of the harbor with two Coasties and proceeded to put the boat through its paces. Evidently there was a shelving rock formation offshore that produced a breaking wave waterfall. George headed right for it at full throttle and told the officers in the cockpit to hold on for maneuvers. They chose to remain at parade rest.
At 30 knots and at the last second, George spun the wheel hard over not touching the throttle or gear. The Bartender immediately and with no fuss and almost no side slippage, reversed heading and was now going backwards at 30 knots. Just as the waterfall was lapping the stern deck, the prop finally got the boat going forward again and the boat slowly drew away from the breaking wave. He had obviously done this maneuver many times.
I asked George what happened to the Coasties? He just smiled and only said that there no man overboard drill needed.

[Liberty53]

Tom, She'll be a hot rod . That you can slow down and catch some fish with. Awesome boat.



-Derek

[emf]

Great find. Keep us posted on your progress.

I have a stretched 19' to 20 1/2' I built a few years ago. You get a lot of attention at the boat ramp.

[Yeadon]

I often think about how a nice little slow powerboat would be great. Or a not-so-little liveaboard motor cruiser.

How much of a cabin will there be, Tim? A Scamp-style cuddy? Or a real cabin? A galley of some kind, or basic camping accommodations only?

How fast does this boat go? Is this a "putter along at walking pace" kind of boat, or something else entirely?

Thanks for the videos--it's always nice to have interesting boaty things to watch/read during the Long Dark of winter.

Tom

The space forward is probably best described as a cuddy with room for one person to sit in and have a cup of coffee and read. Sjogin is good inspiration for this setup. It'll also be a good spot for lockable dry storage when I'm at a dock. There won't be sleeping room in the cuddy, so I'll be sleeping out on the cockpit sole. There's a bit more than 6+ feet from the bulkhead to the front of the motor well. More than enough room for a pair of Thermarests, or just one Thermarest. I expect the camping experience to be primitive and under a tent, basically like our other little boats. No galley, no head. Basically I'll pack along whatever I'd take in Haverchuck. One goal of mine was to have a small runabout with a similar footprint as Haverchuck, so the ground tackle would work between the two boats. At least that was the plan, I bet I'll buy a Rocna for this boat too.

[Yeadon]

Great find. Keep us posted on your progress.

I have a stretched 19' to 20 1/2' I built a few years ago. You get a lot of attention at the boat ramp.

I've seen photos of your boat. Very nice. If I'd built this one from scratch I probably would have aimed for a stretch too - maybe even enough to give me room for a primitive bunk forward. You went with the runabout windshield, yes? I'd love to see your boat in person sometime. I've had a chance to tour Michael Beckman's Bartender. I took a thousand photos. Super useful to get to see in person. Also Beckman is good people and I'm always game see what he's up to.

People who know me know just how much I love answering questions at the boat ramp. (Sarcasm alert.) And yet I keep building these lovely little wooden boats.

[Yeadon]

Tom, She'll be a hot rod . That you can slow down and catch some fish with. Awesome boat.



-Derek

That's a great video. There's a bunch similar videos on YouTube of Bartenders of various length hustling around the Gulf Islands. Those videos are probably 15 years old. Still good stuff.

[Yeadon]

Hi Tim!
I pm'd you a while back about this boat, and I'm very happy to see what you're doing. As I said in my PM I had a poorly built one here, loved it and was going to improve it, but due to communication failures with a friend who was storing it, she got cut up. I love my boats but my friends more, so Im moving on. (accepting the tragic truth that you are keeping Ed rather than sell him to me), a few thoughts about those boats.
I did have my boat in service for a time (although with a Honda 40 with electronic problems, so low power only), and mostly loved it. They slither up on plane, no big hump, and are very power efficient. They are a bit dory-like, tender when light though they stiffen up nicely with heel or weight. Lots of flare so pretty dry. Smooth ride in chop, very nice for her size. 40hp was plenty power. The builder of mine fussed around with the well, and indeed it was problematic, lotta water shooting up and into the boat, mostly at higher speeds, I never got to the stage of trying to resolve that. I only ran her at 10-12 K, which was fine for what I was doing but she was clearly capable and competent for more speed. At displacement/maneuvering speeds there was a strange helm/steering response, sometimes backward from what one expected with steering input, which I thought was connected to the motor well problems, but I never identified the source. She could have been twisted, but as she was cut up, we shall never know. I much preferred to steer standing up, and thought to reconfigure the helm/dash to optimize standing steering, with a horizontal-ish wheel. She didnt pound, a nice attribute in a small mo-bo. The well/motor clearance situation is a real challenge, and to that end I obtained a 4 stroke Yanmar outboard, not now available in the US but a wonderful engine (I had 2, 27hp, on a FRP daily driver) . Those motors have the powerhead high, and below that they are very narrow, like an older two-stroke, so that there is no need for a bulge in the well. Yanmar dropped them from US distribution in the early 2000's when they did not meet emission requirements (cause diesel, even tho 4 stroke). If you'd like to discuss any aspect of those boats, I'm happy to do so. I've the plans, but in the near term I'm unable to embark on that project, so possibly helping you with yours would be a pleasure.
But anyway, like and appreciate your project, and your posting.
Brian

If you decide to build another, I'd consider buying an updated set of plans from the Bartender company. My boat came with a set of plans from the late 90s and they were well loved and tough to read. The new plans have been updated via auto-cad and have numerous really nice and useful renderings that help show the boat in various stages of completion. The plans and book and support you can get from Bartender is pretty solid. Overall, a very positive experience in working with that company.

[amish rob]

She is looking very nice. Very nice.

[John Meachen]

I often think about how a nice little slow powerboat would be great. Or a not-so-little liveaboard motor cruiser.

How much of a cabin will there be, Tim? A Scamp-style cuddy? Or a real cabin? A galley of some kind, or basic camping accommodations only?

How fast does this boat go? Is this a "putter along at walking pace" kind of boat, or something else entirely?

Thanks for the videos--it's always nice to have interesting boaty things to watch/read during the Long Dark of winter.

Tom

Have you seen Nigel Irens low powered motor boats?Very efficient shapes,rather similar in that respect to the Bartender.

[Yeadon]

Harry Bryan’s Rambler 18 is also an interesting option.

[amish rob]

D0E6FA1D-A614-4A42-BE95-59CBFC1895CB.jpg
I couldn’t resist.

[SaltyD from BC]

I've been a Bartender admirer since I saw them in probably early 1990's WB magazines. Have probably seen a half dozen in person since there's really nothing like them. That's a sweet find Yeadon nothing really to fix like many long stalled builds just gotta finish it, cool. I can see you're going to make Ed proud, doing it right , looking forward to seeing pics of her on the water down the road. Best of luck.

[Yeadon]

E0EA614E-2467-4235-BA09-C3CB5CD0F711.jpg
The Amish Headquarters

[Yeadon]

8331A1C8-A11E-4F35-B665-8B1C1D2858D5.jpg
For the cuddy, this is roughly what I’ll be aiming to build.

[SKIP KILPATRICK]

That is going to be a fantastic boat!

[Breakaway]

Sweet!

Kevin


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Bobcat]

Very nice

[Boatsbgood]

Hi Tim...

If you decide to build another, I'd consider buying an updated set of plans from the Bartender company. My boat came with a set of plans from the late 90s and they were well loved and tough to read. The new plans have been updated via auto-cad and have numerous really nice and useful renderings that help show the boat in various stages of completion. The plans and book and support you can get from Bartender is pretty solid. Overall, a very positive experience in working with that company.

Yes Tim and thank you for that: I have spoken with George K about that design and while I was thinking of just doing the 'stretch' version of the 19, the updated plans for 20.5' sound like a better fit for me. The 19 is a small 19', what with narrowness, pointy ends, and well all reducing room, so if I build I'll pony up for the larger. The 22 is a whole nother step up, and in my case it has to be outboard for access to slip, and I'm not a fan of bigger outboards. And as you note George was respnsive and helpful, as well as nice, which is always a plus.

Brian

[WI-Tom]

Have you seen Nigel Irens low powered motor boats?Very efficient shapes,rather similar in that respect to the Bartender.

Nigel Irons! Thanks for the tip--didn't know his powerboats.

I've always admired the Garden or William Hand motor cruisers. If I won a lottery, I'd buy one. That way, after my life was ruined, I'd have a place to retreat to so I could live out my days in curmudgeonly solitude.

Tom

[jpatrick]

Sweet boat, Tim. Outboards were in very short supply not long ago and may still be. So plan ahead.

Jeff

[AJZimm]

8331A1C8-A11E-4F35-B665-8B1C1D2858D5.jpg
For the cuddy, this is roughly what I’ll be aiming to build.

You're gonna have fun lining up those curved and slanted cabin sides and matching them to the cambered top. I had to do a lot of head-scratching to figure out how to support the pilothouse sides on Camas Moon for glue-up, and they were straight and built from a CAD plot.

[Yeadon]

That's a problem for Future Tim. The Tim of Today is about to glass the decks.

[J.Madison]

This is great. I'd like to build a bartender for inter-island travel and fishing when I eventually get back to the salish sea. I probably won't be using ribbon grain sapele though!

[Yeadon]

The Bartenders are rather incredible small craft, they are all capable of 30 knots top end and very economical cruising speeds in the mid teens, IF the plans are followed and weight kept down.
I had the pleasure of meeting George Calkins, the designer and a prolific boatbuilder. Somebody wanted me to quote them a price and had talked George into delivering the plans to me. I was in Tacoma and he was living on Marrowstone but had business in the big city. He was lean, quiet, confident, and very interesting to talk with, his career included larger fish boats, some sailing yachts and hundreds of small craft. Going from plank on frame to the new marine Fir plywood.
He told a great story about when the USCG was evaluating the Bartenders in the 50’s for their use. George put out of the harbor with two Coasties and proceeded to put the boat through its paces. Evidently there was a shelving rock formation offshore that produced a breaking wave waterfall. George headed right for it at full throttle and told the officers in the cockpit to hold on for maneuvers. They chose to remain at parade rest.
At 30 knots and at the last second, George spun the wheel hard over not touching the throttle or gear. The Bartender immediately and with no fuss and almost no side slippage, reversed heading and was now going backwards at 30 knots. Just as the waterfall was lapping the stern deck, the prop finally got the boat going forward again and the boat slowly drew away from the breaking wave. He had obviously done this maneuver many times.
I asked George what happened to the Coasties? He just smiled and only said that there no man overboard drill needed.

BTW, I have a handful of snapshots and several typed letters that George Calkins mailed to the original builder of this boat. I'll find those and as long as no real personal information is spilled then I'll share them here at some point.

[Paul Schweiss]

BTW, I have a handful of snapshots and several typed letters that George Calkins mailed to the original builder of this boat. I'll find those and as long as no real personal information is spilled then I'll share them here at some point.

That would be enlightening. I found George a delightful combination of humility and confidence in his skills. It was so cool to hear him talk of carvel schooners and fast plywood craft capable of taking on the West Coast bars that must be traversed for most of this coast.

[C. Ross]

Great project! I loved seeing L.W. Batter’s build back in the day.

Seems a perfect boat for your waters.

[Powerwagon]

Thanks for sharing! It looks like you’re doing a great job so far.

[Yeadon]

AE422BB8-DC29-485A-8B31-9438A0EAF865.jpg

Decks are glassed and more or less filled. Might do some fairing. Up next is outwhale and toe rails.

[AJZimm]

Looking good! A lot of work went into making the decks look that simple.

[timo4352]

Your boat build is going to be fun to watch come together.
I like everything about this one pictured; the cabin, and the rails surrounding the cockpit look great and functional.
Ready to hear the performance reports when you get that far.