- Status
David W
David, My boat is a "Captain's Gig" by Gig Harbor Boat Works. I looked at the Whitehall boats, and they are indeed beautiful, but their prices took my breath away. But then I guess you get what you pay for. My boat was well designed but poorly finished by the builder. As a consequence, she's in my garage for a lot of TLC this winter after which she will be in first class shape. Gary Wyngarden S/V Wanderlust h37.5 PS Here's another photo of her under sail with the admiral at the helm.
David, My boat is a "Captain's Gig" by Gig Harbor Boat Works. I looked at the Whitehall boats, and they are indeed beautiful, but their prices took my breath away. But then I guess you get what you pay for. My boat was well designed but poorly finished by the builder. As a consequence, she's in my garage for a lot of TLC this winter after which she will be in first class shape. Gary Wyngarden S/V Wanderlust h37.5 PS Here's another photo of her under sail with the admiral at the helm.
More Gig Harbor
Ok Gary, I just had to share one of a bazillion dinghy sailing photos we have. We bought the 10' Navigator in 1998 when we got our Formosa 51. Prior to that I always sailed an 8' Quartermaster sailing dinghy. The GH is a great little boat that is very light by comparison to many others. We've kept it through the next couple boats - I still love sailing that little boat around anchorages. She rows like a dream too, and even puts at 5 knots with a 2hp outboard. I'm on the same program as Gary though; she's currently upside down in my garage waiting for some much needed maintenance! Best, Trevor
Ok Gary, I just had to share one of a bazillion dinghy sailing photos we have. We bought the 10' Navigator in 1998 when we got our Formosa 51. Prior to that I always sailed an 8' Quartermaster sailing dinghy. The GH is a great little boat that is very light by comparison to many others. We've kept it through the next couple boats - I still love sailing that little boat around anchorages. She rows like a dream too, and even puts at 5 knots with a 2hp outboard. I'm on the same program as Gary though; she's currently upside down in my garage waiting for some much needed maintenance! Best, Trevor
Gig Harbor - Light Weight
Just in case someone might have overlooked it, one key statement Gary made about the Gig Harbor is "light weight". This is VERY important - to me, at least. Our first dingy was a hardshell fiberglass one constructed like every other fiberglass dingy in the world - heavy. We sold it and opted for an inflatable. Several years later I came across a Gig Harbor dingy and couldn't believe how light it was, and it was a hardshell! Much easier to handle than my old one was. The problem with an inflatable is you have to really be careful with UV radiation (sunlight) and watch out for stuff on the beach which can scratch or poke holes in the fabric and it doesn't take much. Around here there is lots of stuff to ruin you day no matter how careful you are with beaching. Hypalon is the best fabric I've come across to withstand UV light but it all depends on how well it's assembled. The two-edged problems are it weighs and costs alot. The other fabrics just don't have the track record that hypalon does. Get a pinhole (easy to do) and there goes your beautiful dingy - it now has a patch. A scratch on gelcoat can be repaired. We still have our Avon 3.15 roll-up after about 13 years but it does have a patch - from towing it!
(it rubbed against the fold-down stern swim ladder when we were anchored). It weighs dry about 115-lbs. What I like about it is the stability, it'll handle (I think) 15-hp (but we use 8 - what a pain), and it can be deflated and lashed down on the coachroof. The idea of a sailing dingy is nice, and also having one that rows easily. Dealing with an outboard and fuel is a real pain. Stowing gas on board the boat is difficult because it has to be on deck and away from any heat or iginition source (shorepower connection or forced air heater outlet). Stowing and handling the outboard is a pain too. Trying to keep the gelcoat from getting nicked or geting oil on the deck. Trying to put an outboard on the transom of the dingy when you're at anchor (there are almost always waves present) is a pain. And the big outboards take a block-and-tackle system of some kind. Bottom line - the best solution is to Keep It Simple Sailor and it's all a tradeoff. As for Gary's first picture - where was that SANDY beach??? There aren't many of those around! Looks like somewhere up near Tofino? Trevor - are that the Seattle skyline? If so, then from that angle you're probably at Blake Island or the south end of Bainbridge?
Just in case someone might have overlooked it, one key statement Gary made about the Gig Harbor is "light weight". This is VERY important - to me, at least. Our first dingy was a hardshell fiberglass one constructed like every other fiberglass dingy in the world - heavy. We sold it and opted for an inflatable. Several years later I came across a Gig Harbor dingy and couldn't believe how light it was, and it was a hardshell! Much easier to handle than my old one was. The problem with an inflatable is you have to really be careful with UV radiation (sunlight) and watch out for stuff on the beach which can scratch or poke holes in the fabric and it doesn't take much. Around here there is lots of stuff to ruin you day no matter how careful you are with beaching. Hypalon is the best fabric I've come across to withstand UV light but it all depends on how well it's assembled. The two-edged problems are it weighs and costs alot. The other fabrics just don't have the track record that hypalon does. Get a pinhole (easy to do) and there goes your beautiful dingy - it now has a patch. A scratch on gelcoat can be repaired. We still have our Avon 3.15 roll-up after about 13 years but it does have a patch - from towing it!
(it rubbed against the fold-down stern swim ladder when we were anchored). It weighs dry about 115-lbs. What I like about it is the stability, it'll handle (I think) 15-hp (but we use 8 - what a pain), and it can be deflated and lashed down on the coachroof. The idea of a sailing dingy is nice, and also having one that rows easily. Dealing with an outboard and fuel is a real pain. Stowing gas on board the boat is difficult because it has to be on deck and away from any heat or iginition source (shorepower connection or forced air heater outlet). Stowing and handling the outboard is a pain too. Trying to keep the gelcoat from getting nicked or geting oil on the deck. Trying to put an outboard on the transom of the dingy when you're at anchor (there are almost always waves present) is a pain. And the big outboards take a block-and-tackle system of some kind. Bottom line - the best solution is to Keep It Simple Sailor and it's all a tradeoff. As for Gary's first picture - where was that SANDY beach??? There aren't many of those around! Looks like somewhere up near Tofino? Trevor - are that the Seattle skyline? If so, then from that angle you're probably at Blake Island or the south end of Bainbridge?Weight
Hi John - You are correct, that shot was taken in Port Blakely on Bainbridge with Seattle in the background. We sail our dinghy every chance we get... the boat is made from a carbon composit and weighs 75 lbs (I'm sure our old 8' fiberglass weighed in well over 100 lbs). We even car-topped the boat across the country and sailed in several lake along the way - I can even say I saled the Chesapeke. Like others have said, however, it's a trade-off. I'd like to pick up a rollup inflatable for rougher days but then I'll have to find a place to store it. I hope everyone has a great New Year! Trevor
Hi John - You are correct, that shot was taken in Port Blakely on Bainbridge with Seattle in the background. We sail our dinghy every chance we get... the boat is made from a carbon composit and weighs 75 lbs (I'm sure our old 8' fiberglass weighed in well over 100 lbs). We even car-topped the boat across the country and sailed in several lake along the way - I can even say I saled the Chesapeke. Like others have said, however, it's a trade-off. I'd like to pick up a rollup inflatable for rougher days but then I'll have to find a place to store it. I hope everyone has a great New Year! Trevor
Hey John
That sandy beach was in the Broken Group in Barkley Sound--just one little patch though amongst all the rocks. Gary Wyngarden S/V Wanderlust h37.5
That sandy beach was in the Broken Group in Barkley Sound--just one little patch though amongst all the rocks. Gary Wyngarden S/V Wanderlust h37.5
The Bowsprit Looks Really Salty
Gary - yeah, I was thinking West Coast because of the way the fog looked - it didn't have that base to it that you tend to get on the inside. Gary & Trevor: You know, those little rigs have a really salty look to them with that bowsprit. Also, I can imagine it helps to get the sail area up there and keep the mast height down for easier handling and stowage. Looks like a really nice design and the sound of water splashing against the lapstrakes adds. If it was a couple feet longer with another pair of oarlocks one could wear an eye-patch with a bandana head scarf and a dagger or scabbord (sp?) stuck in the belt, hehhh... give meh all'er 'ur rum ur I'll sink 'ur bloody boat, mate!
Gary - yeah, I was thinking West Coast because of the way the fog looked - it didn't have that base to it that you tend to get on the inside. Gary & Trevor: You know, those little rigs have a really salty look to them with that bowsprit. Also, I can imagine it helps to get the sail area up there and keep the mast height down for easier handling and stowage. Looks like a really nice design and the sound of water splashing against the lapstrakes adds. If it was a couple feet longer with another pair of oarlocks one could wear an eye-patch with a bandana head scarf and a dagger or scabbord (sp?) stuck in the belt, hehhh... give meh all'er 'ur rum ur I'll sink 'ur bloody boat, mate!
- Status