By now it must be apparent that Doryman loves a double-ended sea boat. Then, it comes as no surprise that at the Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival last month, a particular boat stood out. Now, to claim you have a favorite boat at such an event is very hard to say. Impossible, in fact.
So, let's just say that Dan and Mette's Ness Yawl Otter was one of the finalists on Doryman's list. Iain Oughtred designed this fine sea boat on the lines of the Shetland Yoals. In days of yore, these boats were imported to the Shetland Islands from Norway, and then assembled by local builders. They were of lapstrake construction dating to the Vikings.
In the years since the development of the Ness Yawl, many similar boats have been built to it's capable sea qualities, including several new designs by Iain himself.
The popularity of the open double-ender was apparent at the PT Festival, with several examples tied along the same dock, all rigged for open water sail-and-oar gunkholing.
Otter was moored at the end of the dock, amid a jumble of small boats and the activity of a cul-de-sac, but Doryman has a discerning eye for a well crafted boat.
Dan confessed he was not a professional boat builder though he's a fine woodworker, there is no doubt.
His new Ness Yawl is beautiful.
Congratulations Dan and Mette! A fine vessel. May she provide you with many pleasant hours on the water.
The proud builder. He looks mighty pleased, and well he should.
Doesn't get better than this.
If you would like to see what a Ness Yawl can do, please visit the Man on the River, for Giacomo de Stefano's fabulous trip across Europe in Clodia.
For a very good example of how a Viking might build a boat like this, visit Adrian Morgan.
13 comments:
Och Man I'm getting that tingly feeling all over.
One for your Christmas List.
I have to confess I share your love of a good double ender. There's something about those Viking boat lines that just looks right. Otter is a beauty.
Possibly a good subject for a quilt?
Mary tells me you are the queen of quilts.
Michael,
I chuckled at your last photo in this post. Nice boat, too!
- Michael H.
People have often said that my guideboat is too beautiful to use (the last time I heard that was during a river clean-up). I noticed the fine craftsmanship in P.T. on the Otter and think it is too nice not to use!
-Bruce
Michael, those cute otters were frolicking under the breakwater and showing off for every boat that rowed by. They acted all coy when I saw them, but I smoked their game and told them so.
Bruce, I think we'll see Dan and Mette in more secluded places. I dropped the hint to Dan that the Sucia Rendezvous was designed around his boat. Yours too, I might add. HINT.
'Tis a thing of beauty, you can see why Mr oughtred's boats are so popular
Should probably have built one of these...
But Laingdon, you did!
I'd be interested to hear what you feel are the differences between this boat and Sparrow.
As I remember, you had specific reasons for choosing the Tropic Bird. In my mind, the two boats are very comparable and it would be difficult to prefer one over the other.
Send me a note and let's talk. I feel an interesting Doryman post coming on...
Thank you DoryMan and everyone else for your kind words. Otter and I are still getting to know each other. I'm thrilled by the way she sails! I plan on keeping her in shape as I love to fuss with my wooden boat, but I also love an adventure and plan on getting out often. Otter is our ticket to this great and watery landscape. --Dan & Mette
Often we hear of a labor of love, but that's a lubber's point of view. Love has a lot to do with it, but negative connotations of labor spoils the brew.
A well founded boat is a well loved boat.
Wonderful boat and wonderfully built.
Congratulations
Giacomo
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