Preview: FLYING FISH Goes to Sea—a Guest Post by Jack Bassett and Carolyn Shubert

The story of building the Vertue sloop FLYING FISH is covered in WoodenBoat #230, but her cruise to Europe and the Caribbean and back home to Maine is only briefly touched upon. It’s the other way around in this post that Jack and Carolyn are sharing with fellow OCH members. Great photos about a great little cruiser on a great voyage. Thanks, Jack and Carolyn!

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9 Responses So Far to “FLYING FISH Goes to Sea—a Guest Post by Jack Bassett and Carolyn Shubert”

  • Dennis Lees says:

    I built Vertue in Western Red Cedar some years ago in Tasmania, Australia. Wonderful sailing Yachts.

  • Raymond Morgan says:

    Exciting, thought provoking, inspirational, how do I sign up? It makes me want to learn to build a boat. How do I learn to do that? Why did you pick that size of boat? Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us.

    • John Bassett says:

      Hi Raymond, sorry about the delay in my response but I have spent the summer sailing the coast of Maine and Nova Scotia and have just now returned to the world of internet access in mid October. In answer to your query I picked up my boat building skills by working the boat yards and wood shops in various places around the country and outside of it as well over the past 35 years. I chose the Vertue design for its proven track record and its general aesthetic appeal.I chose a smaller size vessel in the probably mistaken belief that it could built in less time. In truth given the level of detail of the design a 30 ft boat would take no more time just a little more in the way of materials. In all the boat is just big enough for an extended voyage for two in some comfort and is an excellent ocean sailor. Jack

      • Raymond Morgan says:

        Thanks for the response, I get it now. Seeing the video and reading your blog has helped me to make the decision to sell my home in Louisville Ky, move to the east coast and learn to be a competent sailor, take my carpentry skills and learn to build a sailboat. Lofty dreams but what the heck, why not, life is what you make of it, right? You have inspired many wana be sailors to do just that, and that is a good thing. Hopefully our paths will cross one day and if so I would be just happy as can be to see Flying Fish and meet you and talk boat talk.. Until then, Ta Ta for now,
        Morgan

  • George Palacios says:

    Excellent voyage, great pictures, thank you for sharing.

  • Bob Morris says:

    We were aboard FLYING FISH in Mindello just before Jack and Carolyn crossed. I was in awe of the finish on the boat. Barton lost the cabin side in a gale on his Vertue and Jack has mitigated (probably eliminated) that likelihood by laminating an arch around the center of the boat. Every fitting on board is chosen to complement the exquisite woodworking. Well done.

  • T Ostash says:

    That is one beautiful boat. Would like to see more details on the build and the finished product.

  • Kamin Lambertson says:

    Well done! Thank you.. Great pictures that make me want to go across! Azores look great as usual.