| I had been talking to a customer at Boat
Books where I worked about the problems of the world and what
we could do to set things right, all the usual gripes about
politicians, lawyers, and petty bureaucrats, you know the
sort of thing.
My new friend told me that he was keen to establish a boat
based outdoor youth training course to help change the ways
of some of the local kids and had considered building a pair
of brand new Naval Whalers.
Now the cost of one of these today is staggering and way
beyond the budget that he could raise, so we sat down and
worked out the key features of the clinker built 27ft Naval
Trainer and I went home to translate those thoughts into a
form both affordable and buildable by volunteer labour.
 So,
after a few months of phone calls back and forth plus occasional
work at the drawing board, the 6 Metre Whaler emerged as you
see here. Based upon the very successful yawl rigged version
of the Navigator cruising dinghy, using the same simple plywood
lapstrake over web frames and stringers structure. Traditional
in her appearance, double ended, with two masts, and with
enough sheer to be really pretty, she needs only about NZ
$4000.00 worth of materials and about 220 hours of (competent)
labor to complete a very nice little double ended craft which
really looks the part.
She has a pair of straight allow tubes as masts, the same
sprit booms and proportions of sails as Navigator. There are
three rows of reefs in the main, and if the weather requires,
she will still balance under main only, or under jib and mizzen
only, which gives lots of choices as the wind increases in
strength. All spars fit inside the boat to reduce windage
when rowing and making stowage when training much easier.
An outboard motor is inconspicuous in its well under the
aft deck, and there is a steel centerboard that makes her
well suited to the shallow harbor and estuaries where she
will be based. But that ‘board’ is 85 kg of steel
to steady her under what is in fact a powerful rig for her
weight. Responses from owners tell me she is a a very fast
boat under sail. And in case of really over-doing it, there
is enough buoyancy built in to keep all of the occupants afloat
while she is bailed out.
 As
a daysailer, one or two can handle her easily. I like these
big open boats for the sheer feeling of space and comfort
available in a relatively small boat, and it is in this role
that the 6 Metre Whaler is most popular. There are quite a
number now sailing as dayboats. One small group is chartering
a couple and several are being used very successfully as cruising
dinghies.
Just think of yourself gliding into a grassy bank at the
head of an estuary somewhere, Partner at the helm while you
stand by the mainsheet, number one Daughter up forward with
the anchor line ready to pile ashore and tie up while small
Son sits on the tent and groundsheet strapped in alongside
the centrecase. You don't have to be home until Sunday night,
and are looking forward to a weekend under canvas, voyaging
during the day to as yet unknown channels, beaches and shellbanks,
searching for the spirits of Susan, Tim and the rest of the
Swallows and Amazons.
| Note: All credit card sales are in New Zealand
Dollars. Local taxes are not included. Economy postage
is included in the prices quoted but if priority mail
or courier is preferred there will be an additional
charge. Email: jwboatdesigns@xtra.co.nz
for more information. If you pay by check, you may use
the price in your prefered currency as above. |
Note that we sell sails and are pleased to quote a
freight inclusive price to anywhere in the world, we have
tan or white, the sails come with sailbag, one reef and
are completely ready to go. Prices fluctuate slightly so
we prefer to quote each sail as the demand arises but you
can bet that we are competitive even with the freight included.
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