Gulf Coast Scow Schooner

[chrisring]

I have acquired what appears to be a half scale replica of Chappelle's Gulf Coast Scow Schooner. Construction is as Chappelle drew, with the exception of the bottom which is cross planked and the elimination of floor timbers.
Presently, we are working kinks out in the rigging and sealing the dried out bottom with wax in preparation for a trial run.
The boat came with limited documentation. There is a plan sheet; essentially Chapelle's drawing with the dimensions halved. The plan is signed "F.A.Ross 2/2/71, Dteroit". There are also bills of sale from Frank Ross to Glen Betzoldt in 2005, and Glen Betzoldt to F. Jameson in 2017.
The boat came with a name board upon which the name "WindLass" was routed.
It appears the last two owners actually used the boat very little but frequented the boat festival circuit for display on the trailer.
I can find no information on Frank Ross or a GCSS named "WindLass" on the internet.
I post here in the hope someone was familiar with the boat, Frank Ross, what year(s) this particular GCSS was actually built, by whom, and any other factual information.20230222_132817.jpg20230220_182739.jpg20230222_131640.jpg

[Toxophilite]

That's a beautiful and unique boat, Lot's of fun strings to pull. Centerboard?

[Woxbox]

Looks fantastic. Another question -- is it ballasted? 50 percent scale sailboats can't have the same stability characteristics as the full-size model, so I wonder what was done to compensate. Sorry I can't help with the real question about former ownership. Did you check the WoodenBoat archives? It may at least show up in the "Launchings" column.

[Toxophilite]

This is your boat. Have you seen this picture on flickr ?
Looks like it's sailing all right
https://www.flickr.com/photos/149437...n/photostream/

[Toxophilite]

Pretty damn fine looking...needs a Canadian flag though
Screen Shot 2023-03-17 at 9.57.18 PM.jpg

[chrisring]

This is your boat. Have you seen this picture on flickr ?
Looks like it's sailing all right
https://www.flickr.com/photos/149437...n/photostream/

Thanks for this photo link.
In the few pictures that came with the boat it is dead in the water and the sails are poorly set.
I noticed setting it up there is no spring stay, and this photo verifies my suspicion that it has been absent at least the last two owners.
Poor judgment in my opinion, you can see the stress on the main mast in this photo.
We have set up a running spring stay with dyneema that makes fast at deck level so we can set it up without going aloft.

[Toxophilite]

No problem. Interesting that for a schooner the foremast is taller than the main. I thought schooners were often defined by mast height.

[Toxophilite]

No problem. Interesting that for a schooner the foremast is taller than the main. I always thought schooners were often defined by mast height, with the aft mast being the taller of the two. Could they be reversed? Is it an illusion?

[chrisring]

The main mast is about 6" longer than the foremast (12" on Chappelle's drawing). This is canceled out however by rocker in the keel. On both sail plans they are more or less the same height above waterline. I was always under the impression it was more a matter of sail area than spar length that distinguished a schooner from a ketch. If its not a schooner I don't know what it could be; I doubt anyone would argue it is a ketch.

[J.Madison]

There are exceptions to every rule. Regardless of masts, it's definitely a schooner. I like it!

[Toxophilite]

I certainly wasn't questioning what it is, I was just curious. I alreaady said it was a lovely boat. You are welcome for the sailing picture.

The main mast is about 6" longer than the foremast (12" on Chappelle's drawing). This is canceled out however by rocker in the keel. On both sail plans they are more or less the same height above waterline. I was always under the impression it was more a matter of sail area than spar length that distinguished a schooner from a ketch. If its not a schooner I don't know what it could be; I doubt anyone would argue it is a ketch.

[Peerie Maa]

Dainty.

[Toxophilite]

Please put up more photos and info on this boat when you get some as it is a fascinating craft.