An Oughtred Eun na Mara in Port Townsend, Washington

About four years ago (where did all the time go?) we heard of an Eun na Mara, that fine little cruiser from the board of Iain Oughtred, being launched in Venice, Italy. Then as now I am smitten by this design and have often dreamed of building one for myself. I know I say that often and it's always true. But if I could build only one boat in my lifetime, this could well be it.

With this in mind, you might imagine how pleased I am to see an Eun na Mara nearing completion right here in the Pacific Northwest.
David Jones, of Port Townsend, Washington is building his version at the Northwest Maritime Center, with help from the staff at that fine institution.

David has been working on his boat project for a couple years and I've heard about it from friends, but just recently contacted him to ask about his progress. It seems he is nearing completion and hopes to launch her in late spring:





 "Hi Michael,

I have visited your excellent doryman blog and have enjoyed it!

By May we should be in the water or very nearly so. I'm working 6 days a week full-time to keep this project progressing, and it is moving along on schedule. I'm now varnishing exterior parts, so I can mask and paint the topside. The spars now being varnished as well. Lots of labor, but I really enjoy working with the friends at the Northwest Maritime Center. Thanks for your interest, and we'll go sailing together when she's wet.
Best regards, 

David Jones"

A chance to go sailing in a beautiful new Eun na Mara on the transcendent waters of Admiralty Inlet is an offer I can't pass up!

David and friends. (Looks like a whiskey plank party.)

Fresh varnish and paint.

Nice shop area!

A well thought out design, artfully executed.

The proud owner. Very nice job, David.






The first two photos courtesy of Brandon Ford. The remainder by permission of David Jones.

An Oughtred Eun Na Mara in Venice

Just launched in Venice! An Eun Na Mara christened Takatani; designed by Iain Oughtred and built by Roland Poltock. (That's Roland with the champagne).

Roland is the same Master Shipwright who built the Ness Yawl (another Ian Oughtred design) my friend Giacomo sailed the Po River with last year, which was featured here a couple months ago. This boat is for Giacomo's father Giuseppe De Stefano.





Giuseppe is 78 and taking up sailing for the first time. He's chosen a very fine boat, beautifully crafted by a true artist. He's a lucky man!

The boat is equipped with an ASMO 6 Kw electric engine. Smooth and quiet, not to mention astonishing power and torque. Takatani will be rigged and with tanbark sails made by Ombra Renzini e Daniela Cometti.









A serene solution to the water taxi noise and waves in Venice.







Giacomo would like to thank Iain, Roland and the Vento di Venezia staff (who did the technical and electrical work).

And we would like to thank Giacomo for sharing his family's good fortune. We are all richer when the world is graced with such beauty.






Please note in the foreground of the photo to the right, along side Takatani, a Pellestrina tradition - the exquisite Sanpierotta.



The simple and beautiful Takatani is a pocket cruising canoe-yawl. A very seaworthy shallow draft double ended boat with a gaff main and mizzen plus a moderate jib mounted on a bowsprit.


The cockpit on this boat, as can be seen from the photos, has plenty of working room for a couple of crew and even some passengers.

The Eu Na Mara is a firm bilged boat in Iain's style, with full after sections to provide sufficient buoyancy for crew. Fixed ballast is a lead keel with steel bilge boards.




My friend Chuck thinks this is a Doryman boat and I have to admit, he has a point!









Length 19' 9"(6m)
Beam 6' 8"(2m)
Draft 18"(.45m) plate up 36"(.9m) plate down
Weight 680 kg
Sail Area 240 sq ft.(22.3 sq m)