"diggerop" wrote:

It's good up to about 25 knots. After that it becomes hard work.
It's an old hull, locally designed and built AFAIK, much heavier
than most of similar size, with a deep cast iron keel. No signs of
blistering or osmosis. Beautifully balanced and easy to sail
single-handed. Sadly, it has no character when compared to the
previous yacht I had.
That was a 30' double-ender, the last of T Harrison Butler's designs
(C1918.) Launched in 1948. Full length keel, Jarrah from the
waterline down, Douglas Fir above the waterline. Masthead rig. 7
tons fully rigged. Set up for single handed sailing, was a *very*
good heavy weather boat. Suffered badly from weather helm. Have had
her out in a storm with gusts up to 55 knots. Everyone else had run
for port, only me and "The Leeuwin," ( a three masted barquentine,)
left out there - both of us under bare poles.
Most fun I'd had in years. : )
Took her out of the water after 3 years with the intention of
refurbishing her. The hull was basically sound, all but 2 ribs were
ok, however, almost everything else including the deck, cabin and
mast needed repair and replacement.
Had no idea at the time what an enormous task I'd set myself. What I
thought would take me a few months was in reality, two years minimum
to do it properly. I couldn't afford to let my contracting business
stand idle for that amount of time, so I sold her as is to someone
that was retired and felt they could complete it.
She was a lovely old thing. (I've put a couple of photo's up, before
and after shots.)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/32473839@N02

Ah the joys of owning a "woodie".

I'm a "string & snot" kind of guy.

I could have never built mine any other way.

Lew