Preview: Townsend Tern – The Ingenious Cat-Ketch Coastal Cruiser

53 Responses So Far to “Townsend Tern – The Ingenious Cat-Ketch Coastal Cruiser”

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  Burke Horner says:

  Much thanks for two great videos of Kees, Jonathan, and Elizabeth, Eric. These people are genuine finds, where one would be at ease to enjoy their joy of design and sailing, with complete simplicity yet incredible precision.

  I always enjoy living vicariously through these videos!

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  Jay Knight says:

  B&B has a similar (slightly larger) cat ketch that I have built, it is also powered by a Torqeedo pod drive with a folding propeller. We trailer our boat quite a lot and have made some provisions on the trailer to help launch. I am a definite fan of the cat ketch easy to rig, super easy to sail, reef and after years sailing a cutter rigged Pacific Seacraft tacking is child’s play! I have enclosed a link we established during the build (hope that isn’t inappropriate). The site was originally established so the designer, Graham Byrnes could follow along and correct any errors he saw. https://photos.app.goo.gl/G3Q8723av92B5oTv5

  Take a look and feel welcome to comment on the build site.

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    Jonathan Lewis says:

    Nice boat Jay and well done. While both boats have cat ketch rigs, on closer inspection I think you’ll find that they aren’t quite the same species. The “sharpie” hull of your vessel and wishbone booms are among the many differences that set them apart and alter their responses. All positives here, just variations.

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  Peter Willcox says:

  I am surprised that they do not use solar panels for charging the batteries.

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    Jonathan Lewis says:

    We actually use portable panels to charge the 24 volt and 12 volt batteries but our consumption is so small that we chose not to permanently mount them. At 2 knots or so the two 30 watt 24 volt panels keep up with the Torqeedo’s demands but we rarely motor. At higher speeds, the AGM battery bank provides the needed juice. Thanks.

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  Brian Beaulaurier says:

  What a fantastic little ship. We have a NIS23 here in the PNW, and I am definitely taking some design notes. This is what our NIS dreams of being when it grows up!

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  Alex Zimmerman says:

  I’ve always been a fan of Kees Prins’ work. This boat is beautifully well proportioned, balanced and thought out. What a gem!

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  Drew Waterbury says:

  I just renewed my subscription to OCH after letting it lapse and then life interrupting the renewal process. This is the first thing I watched and made the “price of entry” well worth it. Big thanks for sharing this video.

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  John Hough says:

  Who made the spars?

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    Jonathan Lewis says:

    They were made in Australia and obtained through Robert Ayliffe. Then it was NISBOATS.COM but I believe the new website is STRAYDOGBOATWORKS.COM. Happy Thanksgiving!

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  J.D. Bondy says:

  Beautiful video footage of her under way, with the fog bank in the background!

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  Robert Kunzig says:

  Forgive me if this has already been said in the above comments, but if you are happy with your current boat – don’t watch this video!
  Congrats to the owners and to OCH videographer. Thank you (I think?)
  RobK

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  Jerry McIntire says:

  Well done Kees, those are extremely satisfied clients. Thank you all for bringing this boat to life and for sharing it with us.

  • 

    Kees Prins says:

    Thanks Jerry.

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  Burton Blais says:

  What a cool boat, and a fantastic idea for charging the batteries while driving.

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  David Rawls says:

  Now you’ve made me envious! Not covetous, for that would be a sin! Thanks so much for sharing! Fair winds and following seas!

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  Winston Shaw says:

  Lovely boat! Always good to hear that the main enjoyment of owning a sailboat is the sailing! When I want to network with friends I go online or to the local coffee shop. When I want to enjoy being alive I go sailing…or at least I used to when I was younger.

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  Kim Stevens says:

  Very inspiring. Great video… great boat!

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  Phil Chase says:

  Beautiful video of dear friends and the passion they have for their Townsend Tern. I got to sail Calli Mal in Salem Sound once Jonathan and Betsy expertly took her out of a crowded Manchester Harbor in July; tacking and gybing and backing the main to avoid the expensive real estate. I can’t speak to her other sailing qualities because I was lulled by the peace of slipping through the water and distracted by the flow of conversation in the cockpit. But I can attest to the ease of tacking into a light SW breeze and then turning to the SE around Whale Back and past Baker’s Island. A friend snapped a photo of us as he motored by in his catboat to catch the sea breezes south of the islands. I look at that photo often thinking I’d like to spend more time in Calli Mal (and eliminate that wrinkle I left in the mizzen).

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    Phil Chase says:

    I should have spell checked before submitting: my previous post should say Carri Mal.

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  Martin Hampshire says:

  In the UK a very similar ‘plastic boat’ is the Hunter Liberty. Sails well, same rig and similar size.

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  Kees Prins says:

  Thank you OCH, Jonathan and Elizabeth for this wonderful presentation of Townsend Tern. Also thank you Chelcie and Kathy Liu for the commission and working with me to the very end of completion. Thanks to Northwest Maritime Center for letting me finish the built in that magnificent boat shop and Scott and Sarah and Diane for doing awesome work on her. Thank you Robert Ayliffe for supplying is with a complete Norwalk Island rig and sails, shipped all the way from Australia. Thank you Walt Trisdale and Meridian Stainless for perfect metal work. Thank you Kaci for all your kind words. Thanks to all the folks I forgot to mention.

  Study plans can be sent by email right away, construction plans will take a bit longer because they aren’t complete yet. For info: keesprins@gmail.com

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  Nigel Lawrence says:

  What a fitting video to release on the 10-year anniversary of OCH.

  In many ways, it’s the embodiment of all I’ve learnt and refined and tried to apply over those 10 years; simplicity, lovely aesthetics, form and function, and in never losing sight of the purpose of a sailboat: to sail.

  To the designer, owners, OCH: well done!

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  Michael Earnshaw says:

  Hi Jonathan and Elizabeth, thank you for the video. I thoroughly enjoyed your attitude and approach to sailing and cruising. I now have a NIS 23 cat ketch down in Tasmania and loved some of the design ideas in your Townsend Tern; the stepped centreboard and your outboard well. I’ve recently downsized from larger boats and it’s such a relief when the weather is bad or I’m busy with other “things”, that the boat is safely sleeping on its trailer. (A video on cat ketch sailing tips would be fun). Warm regards, Mick

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    Jonathan Lewis says:

    Thanks Mick. I understand that there is a real community of NIS enthusiasts down under. The strength and versatility of the rig was part of the inspiration for the TT and the ease of stepping and unstepping make trailering a breeze. Enjoy your summer!

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  Wolfgang Doughty says:

  Neat

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  Keiron Lynch says:

  I see that you tow the boat with a Honda Ridgeline which I also own. I gather the boat and all equipment must be less than the Ridgeline’s tow load limit of 5,000 lb?

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    Jonathan Lewis says:

    Yup, that’s a Ridgeline. We bought it specifically to tow the Townsend Tern although I was a bit worried driving from Southern California up to Washington State to pick her up when I was climbing mountains and descending steep inclines. I felt like the police chief from Jaws, “You’re going to need a bigger boat.” However, the all wheel drive model with the tow package included (separate transmission radiator) was up to the 5000lb requirements with room to spare. The cross country trip was 9960 miles and it never faltered. The trailer has electronic disc surge brakes and the ability to downshift with the 9 speed paddle shifting automatic transmission helped. The lane keep assist, intuitive cruise control, etc. were a big plus. We averaged 15mpg. Really pleased with our choice. Sorry if that’s too much information but we were happy campers.

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  Robert Hauser says:

  Ingenious! One the best thought out and cleanest small builds I have seen. Well done!

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  Dave Dickmeyer says:

  What a fine small and efficient craft. Thank you OCH for showing it to us.

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  Peter Pesce says:

  Great video and great boat! Is there somewhere to see all the specs and equipment? You seem to have solved a lot of problems with your choices.

  • 

    Jonathan Lewis says:

    I think OCH will be adding them soon but you can also find an article in WoodenBoat’s small boat issue 2011 as well as online at the DoryMan blog.

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  Julian Kuffler says:

  Efficient pleasing design with folks who are comfortable in the space. E B White said it so well. Simplify, simplify, simplify.

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  Kaci Cronkhite says:

  What an inspiring couple! Great story, OCH. Made my morning! Kees Prins is a master of design.Truly. From the inspiration of a childhood in Netherlands to his decades of artful creation coast to coast in America, I’ve been impressed over and over and over again by his work. The original Townsend Tern holds a special place in PT history as it was the first boat to be built in the NW Maritime Center. Kees had taken the new position of Boat Shop Manager when we were still such a nascent organization…. trying to merge the values and culture and history of the Wooden Boat Festival and Foundation into this “new” idea of a “maritime center” and what was at the time… a huge mostly empty building. Kees was creating and building the Tern for Chelcie Liu (a man who invested SO much money and time into innovative small boat builds and marina improvements in Port of Port Townsend.) at his home boat shop when Kees agreed to join the staff at NWMC. His beautiful sketch of what COULD happen in the ground floor of one building… including the placement of work benches, a tool crib, wood storage, overhead hoist, and reinforced flooring… inspired then board members and all of us on staff to SEE what now is daily reality in the WBF Boat Shop at NWMC. Kees moved the boat into the NWMC where he continued working on it with Chelcie, volunteers, boat school students, etc. learning along the way. There were other boats moved in shortly thereafter… some Pocock rowing shells, a Whitehall, El Torros and longboats from WBF programs. The Townsend Tern continues to be one of the coolest pocket yachts I’ve ever seen and this OCH video and her current owners make that clearer than ever! I join so many of you here longing for that freedom and ease. That simplicity and appreciation for practical, functional, beautiful details. Thanks so much OCH!

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    Jonathan Lewis says:

    Thank you so much Kaci for crediting all those responsible for creating the Townsend Tern whose efforts we benefit from. Her story continues to unfold and Kee’s brilliance reveals itself constantly. Chelcie’s role was integral in the TT’s design and implementation, so much more than the term “commissioned” portrays. Thanks again for populating that “village” that brought this craft to fruition!

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    John Bukowsky says:

    Kaci – thank you for the TT historical details. Your information helps us all appreciate why we believe in the NWMC.

    What a wonderful vessel. Hmmmmmm

    J&C

  • 

    Kees Prins says:

    Thanks Kaci for your kind words.

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  John Shepard says:

  Great video. Kudos to the designer. I trailer sailed the PacificNW on my Montgomery15. Your Townsend Tern would be like stepping into a RV. Love the Cat-Ketch sail design. How were your stormy nights on the Chesapeake? She looks a bit tender.

  • 

    Jonathan Lewis says:

    Thanks. Our numerous stormy nights in the Chesapeake were spent peacefully tucked away in 3 or 4 feet of water(she draws 1’8” with the board up) up various rivers and creeks in secluded coves watching the protective tree canopies sway in the breeze. I also thought she’d be tender when I first looked at her but the 850 lbs in the keel, approximately 300 lbs in the AGM batteries, her well proportioned hull and small balanced rig with carbon fiber masts that bend in a puff spilling some air, all contribute to her sailing prowess.

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      John Shepard says:

      Great additional information. Thank you and again congrats on a beautiful boat. If you ever sail our PacificNW waters or just bring her back to see where she was born I’d love the opportunity to see her.

      Fair winds.

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  Ricardo Dacosta says:

  Minimalist at best! Great episode. Thanks for sharing your adventure!

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  Dennis Hoogerman says:

  An enjoyable video about a lovely boat. Thanks.

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  Paul Drinan says:

  Thanks for introducing us all to the Townsend Tern. I’m so impressed by the thoughtfulness, efficiency of space, clean lines, and to hear you say that she sails well is the icing on the cake. Cheers!

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    jim engle says:

    Love it! After owning a 38 Alajuela, I have stepped down to a Sea Pearl 28, a cat ketch pocket cruiser. At first I thought how can I cruise on this small of a sail boat but after a 16 day cruise of the Albemarle Loop I love it! Check out my blog of the trip at http://seapearl28woc.blogspot.com/?m=1

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  Robert Dawley says:

  Enjoyed watching your video and it wasn’t until I was about 3/4 of the way through that I realized it was you and Elizabeth sailing around. Boat looks beautiful and you two have weathered well also. Too bad we didn’t know you were in Buzzards Bay, we could have motored down. Jeff and I were in Cuttyhunk July 13th for a couple of days.
  We’re back in Florida now until April. Have a safe trip back to California. Bob

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    Jonathan Lewis says:

    Great OCH served as a connection. We trailered from Marion to Salem and missed Plymouth. See you next time on the water!

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  Caleb Giblett says:

  Hi Jonathan – I’m intrigued by the ability to cruise for a month without a head compartment. The composting head must work really well without strong odours? Is this the case in warm climates as well as colder ones?

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    Jonathan Lewis says:

    The airhead was amazing. There is a small 12 volt fan that vents off the transom 24/7 but there are no smells coming from the toilet into the cabin whatsoever. Better than any marine head we’ve ever used. No holding tank, no hoses, no additives after starting with the coconut coir. Two people for five weeks straight without changing out the compost. Used it in a wide range of temperatures (35-95)

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  WILLIAM PIOTTE says:

  Is there only 1? Or are plans available?

  • 

    Jonathan Lewis says:

    Only one so far but Kees Prins (designer/builder) in Port Townsend, Washington may be able to help you out.

  • 

    Kees Prins says:

    See my comment above.

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  Kevin Brennan says:

  What a great package AND a cat ketch! I love that it can double as your camper while on the road too.

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    Jonathan Lewis says:

    Thanks Kevin. We love the ease of a cat ketch, the multiple options for reduced sail and the ability to maneuver in tight spaces. She also backs well by backwinding the main and always behaves on the hook with the mizzen up. The composting head makes road travel simple and no black water tank to empty. Cheers.