Building the Ness Yawl
Goldberry
O Slender as a willow-wand! O clearer than clear water!
O reed by the living pool! Fair River-daughter!- JRR Tolkien
Goldberry, May 23, 2006
Until 2004 I have always sailed in a variety of fiberglass boats. Some were fast, some were slow and friendly, but all were, well, plastic. I have always loved wooden boats, but they have always seemed too complicated, too expensive, or both. Two weeks at WoodenBoat School in the summer of 2004 changed all that. To be sure, a traditionally built boat with a complicated hull form can be a huge project, but there are many boats that are not so daunting. One of my instructors, Bill Thomas, introduced me to the designs of Scottish designer Iain Oughtred. Oughtred, inspired by the traditional fishing boats northern Scotland, designs seaworthy, fast, beautiful boats. I was smitten! On these pages I have documented the construction process, my experiences sailing Goldberry, as well as other wooden boat related stuff.
A new boat!!! Click here to see my adventure in building an Adirondack Guide Boat.
Various Boating Photo Galleries:
1. 2009 WoodenBoat Show at Mystic Seaport
2.
Photo Gallery of Boats
Photos from the 2006 Port Townsend Festival of Wooden Boats (these pages are very graphics intensive):
1. Boats, boats, and more boats
2. Rowan, James McMullen's almost Ness Yawl
3. M/V Lotus, 92' of Pacific Northwest History
See a slide show from the beginning of construction (spring 2005) through the end of the 2006 sailing season.
A. Building Form and Garboards
B. Second and Third Strakes
C. Sheer Strake
3. Turn Over
4. Fitting Out
A. Gunwales and Floors
B. Centerboard Trunk and Thwart
C. Decks
D. Rudder
E. Centerboard
F. Hardware and Small Parts
5. Spars
6. Trailer
7. Rigging
8. First Row!
9. First Sail (and dismasting!)
10. Second Sail
12. Boat Cover
13. Cup Holders
14. Notes on Sailing Performance
15. The Crew
An invitation - if you are near or passing through Pittsburgh and want to see what I'm up to, please stop by. I'm always happy to chat with other wooden boat nuts.
For those interested in Iain Oughtred's designs - Mr. Oughtred does not have a web presence or email address. He may be reached at:
Iain Oughtred, Boat Designer
Struan Cottage
Bernisdale
Isle of Skye IV51 9NS Scotland