As promised, here is an update on Aluna, the lapstrake Chebacco, 12years old, made new.

In northern Columbia the Kogi, as the custodians ('Big Brother') of Earth, have been looking down from their mountain at the activities of ‘Younger Brother’ (their name for the rest of humanity) and become frightened about how the world is changing. They believe there is a mind inside nature, that they call ‘Aluna’.

The Chebacco is a Phil Bolger design in a minimalist shallow water cruiser.

Aluna had sadly been left for  decade on a trailer under a tarp. This photo shows the cockpit sole removed. Fortunately the evil wood rot had not reached it's tentacles into the hull beneath.

Today, I'm happy to report, the offending microbe has been banished, repairs complete, and Aluna floats. My good friend, Doug and I shared the repair and he took on the task of refinishing the entire vessel. And what a gorgeous job. The rigging is roughed out, so sea trials could commence any day.

I'll let the photos speak for themselves...

(that object just off the bow is the lid on a tractor)

As the sun sets Aluna rests in her slip, waiting for rigging to be complete, to try her wings.

If you want a good deal on a boat, shop during the winter. Follow this link for some incredible boats at unbelievable prices! The boat-horders around here are giving them away. Just look at this:









The link takes you to the Pocket Yachters For Sale page, a good place for great deals.

I have a lot to tell you about, as the summer sailing season draws to a close and we'll start with last weekend's Puget Sound Traditional Small Craft Association messabout in Port Townsend, Washington.



It's a full days journey to reach Fort Worden, at the confluence of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Admiralty Inlet, from the mid-Oregon coast. It may seem a long haul for a one day event, but I try to make it every year because the sailing, camaraderie and potluck are superlative.







This year was no exception. There were quite a few new faces and new boats on the beach, as you will see from the photos. Unfortunately I didn't make the rounds as well as I'd like, to get everyone's story, because the Navy was on maneuvers with an aircraft carrier and it's accompanying flotilla. You might wonder how ships two or three miles away could impact a bunch of boats on the beach, so I'll tell you...





One minute it's a calm sunny day on the beach at Fort Worden. Then two miles away, in Admiralty Inlet, an aircraft carrier goes by. It's so far away, you hardly notice until it's wake hits the beach fifteen minutes later. Look closely in the distance of this photo and you'll see the culprit, seemingly drifting by harmlessly.




The Swamping of Paku from doryman on Vimeo.

I grab the painter as the surf takes control of the beached Good Little Skiff, Paku and watch helplessly as the swell increases for an indeterminable time. At last, she is pooped and sinks on the sand with a hundred gallons of water and sand holding her to the bottom.























A sinking feeling.





The breezes were light and provided some comfortable sailing. The best way to avoid being pooped and sunk on the beach is to cast off for deep water and set sail! Every sailor knows the dangers of a lee shore and the relief of finding clear, open water.

As usual, the photos can be found on Doryman's Flickr site:

 

The Chebacco catyawls are designed by Phil Bolger, naval architect of Gloucester, Massachusetts. The plans for this boat can be found at Phil Bolger & Friends and also at Harold H. Payson, part of Dynamite Payson's Instant Boat Series.

Chebacco Particulars:
LOA 19’ 8”, Beam 7’ 10-1/2”, Draft 1’ 2” (board up), and Sail Area 176 Sq. Ft.




Phil Bolger’s Chebacco 20 is a cat-yawl, with a short, unstayed mast, a high-peaked gaff mainsail with a relatively long boom, and a jibheaded mizzen sail with sprit boom.
The Chebacco is built in hardchined plywood or round hulled clinker built. You can see one of these little pocket cruisers under construction, with lively descriptions of means and methods at http://www.chebacco.com/chebacco-news/ . The plywood Chebacco is probably the most appealing to the home builder, and the lapstrake version, shown at left, is quite a beauty.
The owner/ builders of these simple, elegant boats are rightfully proud of their accomplishment.



Here we see our friend Chuck, happy as a clam in his plywood Chebacco Full Gallop.









And, in the San Juan Islands of Washington State, a rendezvous with Chebaccos and friends.



More Chebacco goodness:

Building a lapstrake Chebacco; on Tripod.

Chebacco FAQ.

Plans for the Chebacco.

Chebacco News.

A series of DoryMan articles about Chebaccos and other gunkholing boats.


If anyone has a Chebacco with a story to tell, I'd love to hear it. Send me some pictures if you can.