Sucia Island Rendezvous, Epilogue

Bound for Home

I could go on forever, but as they say, all good things... (must make way for other good things).
For this series I'll leave you with two of my favorite boats from the Sucia Island Rendezvous.

First, the 18 foot Sloop Boat Feather, designed by Pete Culler. Is there any doubt that Captain Pete Culler is one of the preeminent designers of the twentieth century? Two brothers, Glen and Alan rowed this fine boat from Port Townsend, Washington.












Feather waits quietly at anchor.








Also from Port Townsend is Sparrow, a 20 foot yawl rigged Surf Dory designed by Ed Davis and built by Kees Prins for Laingdon Schmitt. Here we see Kees at the oars and Laingdon standing by.

Kees and Laingdon have rowed and sailed Sparrow in the Shipyard School RAID and found that they make the most efficient time if one rows while the other rests, then switch. These hardy fellows are setting out on a blustery day to head home, while the rest of us wait out the storm.........

(In the comment at the bottom of this post, Laingdon describes the consequence: "Kees and I got completely spanked by the huge gusts sheering down off the mountain on Orcas (Island)- at one point even running off with just the jib was too much, and we were making steerage and then some under bare poles. Ended up taking refuge in Brandt's Landing, by the mercy of the harbormaster; spent the night aboard there, while Kees hitched to the Anacortes ferry. Next couple of days I sailed back to Port Townsend through San Juan Passage.")

"Great little voyage!"
























Kees designed this bronze steering linkage which hinges around the mizzen mast with such precise linkage that it feels like the tiller is attached directly to the rudder head. A very well executed design from stem to stern.








Kees Prins has competed in RAIDs with Iain Oughtred and Iain's influence is apparent in Sparrow.





There is more, much more, so look for all the dedicated Sucia sailors and their seaworthy vessels in future posts......
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