Gaff sloop ID

[Mike1902]

Would anyone know or recognise the design of this 20ft gaff sloop by any chance.
It was built in the 1920's, where, know one knows and little is known about it at all.
Jarrah frames and Oregon planking.
Found under a house and restored.

It's for sale...and is less than three hours away by car...and it has it's own road trailer...I have enough boats, I have enough boats, I have enough boats...

Amy3.jpgAmy2.jpgAmy.jpg

[Garret]

What a cool boat! I'm sorry to say I can't help identifying it, but I do wonder about a keelboat of that size on a single axle trailer - I bet the tires & springs are maxed out.

[John B]

I noticed that one pop up, why on earth the advertiser hasn't posted any provenance with it is beyond me. Its like people who advertise a classic without its name.

[Mike1902]

What a cool boat! I'm sorry to say I can't help identifying it, but I do wonder about a keelboat of that size on a single axle trailer - I bet the tires & springs are maxed out.

Would be interesting to know how much it weighs. Has only 150kgs of lead in the keel, which doesn't seem that much for the size of the rig, nothing said about internal ballast.
Reminds me of a Seabird Yawl but without the corners.

I noticed that one pop up, why on earth the advertiser hasn't posted any provenance with it is beyond me. Its like people who advertise a classic without its name.

I get the impression that no one knows much about this boat, including the owner.
It came up on the Whangateau Traditional Boating Club site on FB and had everyone guessing. Comments were turned off for some reason.
Have emailed and called the seller but as yet no replies.
It's located just up the road (a somewhat damaged road) but keen to have a look.

[John B]

For Pam to turn comments off there must have been some negative comments( which might have affected a potential sale).
I don't think that boat knows what it is.

[Larks]

Oh that is a rather sweet little boat. Are jarrah frames and oregon hull common in NZ or might it suggest she was built in Australia?

[stromborg]

What is going on with that weird knuckle where the stem curves down towards the keel? It jumps out as an oddly unfair line on a boat that looks so sweet above the waterline.

[Mike1902]

For Pam to turn comments off there must have been some negative comments( which might have affected a potential sale).
I don't think that boat knows what it is.

Have just been talking to the owner.
The boat was gifted to him by his brother who restored it in Greymouth after finding it under a house in Dunedin.
The brother has a degenerative eye condition ,hence the gifting on.
It was then towed all the way back to Gisborne and was never put in the water, may need to take up me thinks.
The mast used to be keel stepped but the brother reconfigured it to a tabernacle arrangement and reduced the sail plan somewhat.
Anyway, if I can get up to Gizzy this weekend I'll check it out. There is a Rahui going on around here along the coast, so a few waves in Gisborne could be therapeutic.

Oh that is a rather sweet little boat. Are jarrah frames and oregon hull common in NZ or might it suggest she was built in Australia?

There was some mention by someone that there was the possibility of it being built in Oz.

What is going on with that weird knuckle where the stem curves down towards the keel? It jumps out as an oddly unfair line on a boat that looks so sweet above the waterline.

Yeah, that is a little odd. May have the chance to see it up close and personal this weekend.

[Garret]

What is going on with that weird knuckle where the stem curves down towards the keel? It jumps out as an oddly unfair line on a boat that looks so sweet above the waterline.

It's a white knuckle too!

[coelcanth]

..trying to picture this stuffed under a house...

[Mike1902]

..trying to picture this stuffed under a house...

Didn't have a keel, at that stage, apparently.

[Boatsbgood]

Interesting little thing...
But Mike, no one has addressed this so I shall, there's a formula: the maximum number of boats a person can have (X) is: where 'N' is the number you have now, (N+1)= X any questions?
Repeat as needed.
Brian

[Mike1902]

Interesting little thing...
But Mike, no one has addressed this so I shall, there's a formula: the maximum number of boats a person can have (X) is: where 'N' is the number you have now, (N+1)= X any questions?
Repeat as needed.
Brian

Hi Brian,
I think Newtons third law can be applied here, where action: buying of boat, has an equal and opposite reaction: bank balance falls by same amount...but for some reason continues to fall over a long period of time.

Cheers,
Mike.

[Colorifics]

I think it looks stout and determined, annnd it has a spare tire!

[Boatsbgood]

Mike, wait...is THAT why my balance keeps falling?
BQ

[Garret]

Mike, wait...is THAT why my balance keeps falling?
BQ

Your balance is most likely affected by the drinking boat owning seems to require

[Boatsbgood]

*clink*

[Mike1902]

Just off to Gisborne now to have a look at it. Full report upon my return.

[Mike1902]

Well that was a short trip. Conflicting info on the transport authority website, I should have been more thorough.
On the way out of town this morning I passed a large lit up sign informing of the road closure, this was later confirmed by a member of the local constabulary.
Ah well, there's a dinghy that needs sanding.

[Mike1902]

I was informed, this weekend past, that the boat has been bought by someone locally.
The boat is now ensconced in a large shed (also local), full of classic cars and is in the state of having the hull stripped of paint.
Will endeavour to find out more.

They obviously drove the long way round to Gisborne and back.

[Larks]

I’m sorry to hear that - I was looking forward to seeing what you’d do with her

[John B]

I vote that our local correspondent investigates further and produces photos of the classic cars and boat progress.

[Mike1902]

I’m sorry to hear that - I was looking forward to seeing what you’d do with her

It certainly would have been an interesting project, Greg.
However, after seeing the boat in person the appeal waned somewhat.
The boat certainly has a quirky character and would look the part on the water but the lines do not quite...well...line up, nothing beats having curves in all the right places.

I vote that our local correspondent investigates further and produces photos of the classic cars and boat progress.

Here it is JB.
IMG-9670.jpgIMG-9669.jpgIMG-9671.jpgIMG-9672.jpg

The boat is only 18 feet long with a narrow beam.
Doug fur planks and Jarra frames are in really good condition with copper and bronze fastenings looking sound.
The full frame spacings seem about right but the half frames look like they may have been added when the keel was attached making everything look a little crowded.
Better safe than sorry I suppose, at least the garboard area is well supported.
The cockpit is only a foot well and seating inside the coamings would be a little tight.
The owner is now stripping the hull right back and doing a nice job of it. This has exposed the Sika (or something) in the seams which he is intending to leave in.
The boat will be dry sailed and stored with rig intact at the sailing club. A full cover will be made for it.
Will be an interesting sail when the day arrives.

As far as the cars go, sorry, photos are a bit lacking, I did not want to be to nosey.
I will be visiting again soon, so will ask then.
I can describe them however.
1912 Model T Ford in show room condition.
Ford Thunderbird, 60's model in good nic.
1962 VW Bettle that was found in a garage after sitting for forty odd years.
The original interior is like new but the outer body work has rust marks and missing paint.
The owner is an ex panel beater, so he had the whole thing clear coated as it stood, fitted a new motor, brakes and electrics. Runs like a dream.
Also a one owner, mint condition Daimler. That owner was Sir Bob Jones (an iconic Kiwi character).

I do have this photo.
IMG-9675 (1).jpg

A 2017 Aston Martin which was backed out of an adjoining building while I was there.
It is amazing what can be found in and around large, repurposed industrial buildings.

Cheers,
Mike.

[John B]

Very efficient there Mike. Want see Model T... no hurry.

[gypsie]

Carvel on a trailer - is that not a recipe for early retirement of a boat?
Wet, Dry, Wet, Dry.......