Doryman's Melonseed

In the upper left corner of this page is a search window. If you type in Doryman's Melonseed design, you will find, as I did, that this project started in December of 2011. How could that be? Four and a half years. Well, I guess you know how fate has befallen this sailor.
Take heart my patient reader, for the long awaited sail-rig has evolved to the test stage. We already know how Aria rows. Like a song.





Martin and I chose a calm day for our first sail. Turned out to be breathless, but we had enough puffs to get a feel for how this 'seed flies.

It was apparent from the first, the free-footed sail needs a boom for windward work. The fixed keel shape, taken from Atkin's Valgerda allowed quite a bit of leeway, but I think that will improve with a boom as well. I intend to leave the foot loose, lash the sail to the boom at the tack and clew and use a downhaul from the clew to the base of the mast.

 

If this sounds confusing, we'll come back soon with photos and an updated report.

Please stay tuned.

The Hardangersjekte by William Atkin

Reinsdyr, a new addition to the DoryMan boatyard.

This design historically originated in Hardangerfjord, Norway. Thus, she is a Hardangersjekte, "jekte" meaning boat. These extemly seaworthy boats were used for fishing and other practical work. They were designed for rowing and rigged with a tall, narrow sail plan with light, unstayed spars.



The Norwegian working boats were fitted with an old-fashioned standing lug and they depended on the reserve stability created by a cargo of fish. The original boats had a long, shallow keel approximately 4" deep. When loaded, they had sufficient lateral plane to hold the little craft on the wind. In many respects, the Hardangersjekte has the same basic characteristics as a Bank dory, the Maine peapod and similar work boats and are excellent sea boats.








William Atkin's design, designated Valgerda, incorporates a standing lug rig with solid spruce mast, yard and boom. Design sail area is 72 sq.ft., in a low aspect ratio lug sail. The shoal fin keel is fitted with lead ballast of approximately 106 pounds to supplant the cargo of fish.






The Valgerda is 18'-7" overall with 14'-9" on her waterline, a 5'-8" beam and 1'-6" draft. She has a double chine hull and weighs about 600 pounds. Reinsdyr has partial decks which add a few more pounds. Because of the added weight, the designed 72 sq.ft. sail will be increased to 110 sq.ft. with a new sail made of Tanbark cloth.



Her original construction incorporated 1/2" Scandinavian pine laid in three strakes. This boat is planked with 3/8" plywood. The Atkin plans specify two chines with backing stringers. In Reinsdyr, the planks are lapped, clinker style and retain the stringers. Very stout and attractive construction.




Reinsdyr was designed in 1946 and built by Keeler Boat Building; Portland, Oregon in 1966 for the Weyerhaeuser family. She has been stripped of her original 8hp Palmer engine and auxiliary sail rig, but she will soon be refitted with a new sail (forget the engine!).
Thank you, John Kohnen for this fine boat!



More photos of Reinsdyr on Flickr.




If you'd like to witness the construction of a modern Valgerda, visit the Ravn.
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