PT Watercraft designs dinghies that are efficient, functional, modern, and attractive—available as kits you can build yourself. We also carry small boat parts and instructional books.
Port Townsend Watercraft will be closed for the first 2 weeks of July.
Other dates when we will be hard to reach will be June 22 thru 25th. We plan to be part of the welcoming committee in Victoria for the Race to Alaska participants. Hope to see you at the pre race Ruckus in Port Townsend (June 22) or in Victoria on the 23rd!
We hope everyone has something beautiful and fun within nature in their lives. Get out on the water, take a hike, lay down in a field of flowers, grow a garden…
Now available, Project Cheers is a candid tale of single handed Trans-Atlantic racing in the ‘early days’. (ON AMAZON – Or directly from PT Watercraft)
Project Cheers is a narrative by the late Dick Newick, Tom Follett and Jim Morris about their American entry into the 1968 OSTAR (Observer Singlehanded Trans Atlantic Race) Things were very different in 1968 in the world of yacht racing. Newick’s unusual design, Cheers, a proa, shook things up a bit and forever changed certain ideas about ocean racing.
The book was only ever published once in England in 1969 and original copies are hard to find and precious. With multihulls in the spot light in the America’s Cup and breaking records at an astonishing pace, we wanted to honor Cheers and the three men who created and raced the boat, for their vision and perseverance. The story is an inspiration to anyone attempting the “impossible”.
In St. Croix after the race..
Over the last 2 years, I have acquired permissions from the publishing house of the original book, and worked with the copyright heirs to obtain original photo scans and feedback on what direction we would take in re-publishing the book. (Nothing about the book had ever been saved digitally) I also nearly checked myself into a loony bin trying to work on MS WORD but was saved by MAC’s Pages to format the book. Many pictures were not found in originals. It took a special scanner to get scans of them that did not produce Moire distortion when printed. We even had the photo curator at the Mariner’s Museum in Newport News VA looking for original pictures. The museum hosts an extensive multihull collection.
While I would have liked this to be a glossy hard cover, my budget did not allow it. If there is interest, I can work on it. I did choose to print it with slightly larger print, and created a new cover to distinguish it from the first edition.
Profits from book and poster sales will benefit the Newick family.
Special thanks to everyone who participated in this republishing project. You know who you are. Besides the unusual grammar in the book, (we left all of that as per original text) any major mistakes can be corrected if you find them. I almost published the book with a super big boo boo (thanks to MS WORD auto format) but that was caught, (Thank you Katrina for your expert proof read!) just before going to press. Yay!
Finally, I have digital videos produced in 1968 by the BBC and CBS. (Not to mention reels of 16mm film!) Permission to upload these to the internet is still in question. These would be extremely fun to share and it seems like after more than 45 years, it should not be a problem to do so. I am working on it and if anyone has connections to those agencies, that could be helpful.
Enjoy a little clip that I think is from the 1960 (first) OSTAR race. The BBC has been very reserved about releasing such features to the public domain.
Fun! For the second year we had a blast in our PT 11 as the smallest entrant in the Shipwright’s Regatta hosted by the Port Townsend Sailing Association. Russell was at the helm and I was ballast, chocolate dispenser, and “kite” handler, …. hmmmm… maybe we have some work to do if we are going to get real about racing…
My little kite… ‘I think I can, I think I can…’ photo by ‘Ace’ Spragg
Of course Russell would have been much faster by himself but no fun without me! Kidding aside, we didn’t do all that bad (13th out of 19 boats in Class B) since our competition was all multiples of us in waterline. (except for Simeon in Noddy, his SCAMP)
Lil B is our PT 11.
It was a beautiful day, perfect breeze, sunshine, and little chop. I took some photos and Ace managed to capture a shot of our “kite” on the down wind leg… yes, it really was a kite. I could not get it out from behind the mainsail but it actually did have some pull to it. The one time I got it up higher, it nose dived into the water and became an instant drogue. A funny experiment that confirmed we could come up with an ‘itty bitty’ spinnaker and make use of it. We shall see…
Oddly, for Russell and I, it takes more discipline to actually get it together to participate in our local sailing events than to work in the shop and office every day! Gotta work on that… 😉 AEB
Pictures follow.
Cito
photo-Ashlyn Brown
Crusoe
photo-Ashlyn Brown
Bieker designed PT 15
Photo:Ashlyn Brown
photo-Ashlyn Brown
Sparkle
Photo: Ashlyn Brown
Bieker designed PT15 with the 505’s
photo-Ashlyn Brown
photo by Ashlyn Brown
Our great race commitee, photo: Ashlyn Brown
Class B starting line.
photo-Ashlyn Brown
T-Birds in their own class. photo-Ashlyn Brown
photo-Ashlyn Brown
Crusoe coming up astern in black and white. photo-Ashlyn Brown
Crusoe passing us on the second round. Photo-Ashlyn Brown
This letter came in November and I have the author’s permission to post it along with the pictures he sent. It is clear by the pictures, that this boat has gotten some real use. Nothing could please us more. 😉
“The boat went into the water Thanksgiving 2014. Since then I’ve spent a lot of time with it. I have become quite jaded over the years with lots of bluewater miles and lots of hours racing a thistle-not to mention dozens of other boats. However I think I can state unequivocally that this boat is by far the most fun I’ve had on any boat in a very long time.
I have to confess to some off-label uses—on Sunday I was on a lake in Northern Massachusetts and had an adventure in an unexpected snow squall. Gusts 15-20 and horizontal snow. The gusts went away and I managed to keep the boat bottom side down. It took me a long time to regain normal feeling in my toes after I got back to base.
In So Cal (my normal stomping grounds) I can take it lots of places that neither a Thistle or a Canoe (two of my other boats) are comfortable. The Thistle is too much boat for a narrow cove with gusting winds and canoes don’t deal with surf (at my level of skill—though they are fun in whitewater rivers). I bought a small Rocna and use it to anchor and dive off of the boat. Dolphins seem frequently curious about the unusual traffic and check the boat out. You don’t realize how big they really are until you are eye to eye from water level.
In one incautious moment (or of one of several) on a flat calm day I rowed into a little cove. There was a rock pillar in the center of it, but I didn’t think anything of it. A boat wake from a passing ferry picked the PT11 up and deposited it directly on top of the pillar. I was really worried it was the end of my favorite toy. However when I got back to the dock, there was a slight paint chip aft of the mast area and NO OTHER DAMAGE! This boat is strong.
In another adventure had a 2+ mile long plane down a lake in New Hampshire in a really big blow. I knew it was a bad idea but I was flying all the way and it was too much fun. I did not succeed in taking the boat upwind. After a couple of capsizes I gave up and left it on the lee beach until the weather changed. I think I would have been OK, but the boat was so slippery inside that I couldn’t get up on the rail between tacks. I simply fell down.
I’ve since put a tasteful patch of non-skid on the floor of the boat, and found that I can feather upwind sitting on the rail, even in a good bit of wind.
Our Christmas present this year was a very large stack of plywood.
This is a big deal for us. Some of you may know from an earlier post that one big reason end-of-2015 production halted was due to not liking the plywood that was available. We take plywood very seriously for our kits. It needs to be beautiful since most of our builders like a clear finish. Flatness is critical for many parts and consistent ply thickness is important especially on parts like foils, both for strength and because shaping the foils shows off the separate layers. If we accidentally cut foils from faulty plywood, they need a lot of extra work on Russell’s part and then are sold discounted as ‘Paint-grade’. So we have learned to be even more particular in our selection even if that means being a bit of a pain in someone’s rear….
Thus, we are very happy to announce that Edensaw Woods has recently secured some beautiful plywood.
We tend to buy lots of plywood when we like the quality so pre-Christmas Eve, Russell went through an entire unit (86 sheets) of 6mm and only found a few that we didn’t buy. We also bought enough 12mm to not have to worry about that thickness for at least a year. Very important parts are cut from 12mm, such as the main bulkheads and foils, so, high grade plywood is critical.
What does this mean for you? Well, if you were hoping to build a PT 11, PT Spear, or PT Skiff in the New Year, we will have kits!
If you would like to know more about the care we take in producing our kits, we have been putting together an in-depth article about it. This will follow soon.
We are presently restructuring our business and our kit packages for January 2016. We are taking this time to evaluate our operations, establish better supplies that have been causing some production issues, and ship out everything currently on order.
We will soon post an inside look at our kit production.
Kits will be available in early 2016. Please contact us by email or phone for more information and a quote. Update: Pending how plywood looks when it arrives at the end of December, we hope to have kits back in production January/February.
This last June and July, Russell and I sailed our multi-hull from Port Townsend to Haida Gwaii/Gwaii Haanas park (also known as Queen Charlotte Islands) and back down the west coast of Vancouver Island.
Soaking in a hot tidal pool
There is really no way to accurately describe what it was like for me, or the feeling that we dropped off into another world for a wonderful but all too brief period of time. “What does one do in absolute wilderness?” This was a question asked by my adult daughter. “It’s more about being there.” I finally said, but I lacked for words and still do.
Our general track
I did take some pictures and videos but not many, nor do they capture the wonder that surrounded us. I simply spent more time looking, listening, breathing, and just being.
We were tandem sailing with dear friends, Alex and his rotating crew (all the coolest of people), and we met up with “Blackbeard II” and “Able” along the way. We also met some really interesting people in port. There was a lot of curiosity, honesty, generosity and simple human graciousness in the people of North Vancouver Island and Haida Gwaii. Thinking about some of those people still kind of blows my mind. A blog post just isn’t the place to do them justice. Of the Haida villages, we visited Skedans, Hotsprings Island, and SGang Gwaii. I was very impressed with the “Watchmen”; each one very different, each one with a story to tell in their own way, and each clearly passionate about their culture, history, and path into the future. I am so grateful, for the whole experience.
Vito Dumas often set out ahead of us in the mornings.
This adventure was in the planning since summer 2014, with our friend, Alex, on his lovely and magical boat, ‘Vito Dumas’. Sailing in tandem with Alex is one of our great pleasures in life and we try to make at least one small trip every year. This one was a big one, 6 weeks and over a 1000 miles. He carried a PT 11 on his fore deck and we had ours on the trampoline. We were able to go adventuring in both boats and actually get some new video. Alex has become our PT 11 Star. Thank you, Alex! Some video is already published, others yet to come. Here is a video glimpse into our trip.
My ‘take-away’? .. Nature, harmony with nature, back to nature; it is so nurturing so let’s do more to preserve and help nature recuperate from human destructiveness. I left Gwaii Haanas feeling hopeful.
If you want to go to Gwaii Haanas, you need to do their orientation, make reservations and buy passes. It is not difficult and it is so very worth it.
Gwaii Haanas
Contact: Ginette,
Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, National Marine Conservation Area Reserve, and Haida Heritage Site
60 Second Beach Road, Skidegate BC V0T 1S1 |
PO Box 37, Queen Charlotte BC V0T 1S0 |Email: gwaii.haanas@pc.gc.ca Website: www.pc.gc.ca/gwaiihaanas
Telephone | Téléphone 250-559-8818
Toll Free | Sans frais 1-877-559-8818
www.parkscanada.gc.ca | www.parcscanada.gc.ca www.facebook/gwaiihaanas | www.facebook.com/GwaiiHaanasFR
This is kind of a long post featuring my festival pictures, our booth, the Pt 11 on the water, a customer built PT Skiff, end show humor, & video links…
The Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival is a great event any year. This year, the 39th, was no exception. We had two hot and sunny days and Sunday cooled considerably under cloudy skies. In spite of the Hood Canal Bridge closing earlier in the week and again for a flotilla, people made it to our peninsula.
I did not get as many festival photos as usual but here are a few. It is hard not to get the same pictures as everyone else. Everywhere you look seems photo-worthy.
Holiday
NW Maritime Center
Festival Burgees
PT Skiff arrives
Flags flying
masks watching
layers of boats
wood rounds inlay
inlaid kayak
fish net skills
tug wow
shapes
planks
sparkle
bows
Festival time
Classic motor yachts
more classic motor yachts
Vito’s bouquet
For PT Watercraft, the festival is increasingly a family reunion of sorts. Among the thousands who visited, were quite a few builders of our kits; some of our earliest customers, some who recently completed beautiful boats, and some who are just beginning construction. We were so happy to see everyone. We even have show regulars who are still dreaming about building a PT 11 or a skiff, and they come every year to stroke the bright-work, listen to conversation, ask new questions. It is great to see familiar faces.
Our booth photos;
We were across from the paddle pool
Our booth with WEST SYSTEM
Port Townsend watercraft in the WEST SYSTEM tent on the point near the Wee Nip.
Schooner Martha in the Classic Mariner’s Regatta 2014
You can probably tell that I love our wooden boat festival even if I talk myself hoarse over the three days. I walked the docks Thursday afternoon as boats were filling the harbor, and again early Sunday morning. The Sunday Sail-by is a highlight, though this year I found myself talking to booth visitors more than watching the hundreds of boats out on the water at once. Still very impressive! I expect lots of videos will appear on Youtube.
Harbor masters get boats into their slots for Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival in 2015
Our annual helper, Cooper Parrish, raced the PT 11 in the 26ft & under, and then sailed around during the Sail-by. Cooper makes very cool things at Scaled Composites in Mojave and we are so grateful that he is happy to take time out and join us at the show. Our friend Simon Miles of 206 Composites here in Port Townsend, had the Patin out as well. The Patin is probably the first beach cat design ever. Interested cat sailors might want to check out videos of the Vela Patin.
boats from the past…
Setting up on the beach
ready to go…
90# dinghy and a 13# rig
heading out…
this way…
amongst giants…
that way…
PT 11 and Vela Patin
Vela Patin & Trimaran Lotus
Cooper
boats everywhere…
coming in…
2 PT Spears
Customer built PT Skiff ‘Mojo’, was in the water. It was great to have a skiff at the festival for folks to check out. Builder/owners Mark and Meg were rightfully proud of their boat. Mark chose to really spiff it out with various woods, a sprayed paint job in indigo blue, and some plush outfitting choices.
PT Skiff arrives
Mojo
using alternative woods on the console face and seat tops
foreward cockpit
aft seat and stern light plug in
cables and paddle installation
controls
Mark set up a bilge pump self bailing system.
Sapele upper coaming
At the end of the festival, packing up has a party like feel to it. We all survived a fun but physically challenging weekend. Our friends and show neighbors, Chesapeake Lightcraft, often display a bit of end show humor. This year, they thought the Wee Nip bar next to them was closing the festival with ‘BYOB’ for a fill up. Well, John and crew brought a boat! Thanks John for all the laughs!
Jake and Josh have done it again with R2AK promo videos that I love to watch over and over again. During festival, I had to watch the ‘Throw-down’ video for a good laugh before beginning my Wooden Boat Festival day. Immediately following this one is the ‘Will You Be Ready” video, once again featuring the talented, Zack Carver’s video creativity. Check them out, laugh and share. I love this town. I cannot think of any other place that could have come up with an idea like this, keep the vibe in all its serious reality/whacky humor, and …a straight face. Watch R2AK Throw Down and Are you ready?
We hope you have made your plans to come! PT Watercraft will be there together with WEST SYSTEM EPOXY. Bring your epoxy questions for their very knowledgeable team to answer. These guys are amazing.
Visitors study the PT 11 nesting dinghy
We will have a PT 11 on display and one available for test rows. There should be several at the festival with their mother ships and a recently (almost) completed PT Skiff (“Mojo”) will be at the docks this year. This boat promises to be a beauty judging by the few photos we have seen.
The PT Skiff that will be shown at the 39th Wooden Boat Festival in Port Townsend, WA 2015
Due to the festival, preparing for it and attending, we are not going to in office much. If you do have questions, email info @ptwatercraft.com (no space) and we will reply as soon as we can.
