Preview: A Good Boat, Up Close – The Caledonia Yawl

32 Responses So Far to “A Good Boat, Up Close – The Caledonia Yawl”

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  Andrew Blodgett says:

  I’m watching this nine-year old video and loving it. Thanks so much for showing the real ins and outs of this boat as it should be used–the rigging and trailering details are really appreciated. I own a Sea Pearl 21 but often throw disloyal lustful gazes towards the Caledonia Yawl!

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  Martin (Marty) Casey says:

  Geoff
  I’m in process of building a CY. Doing this a little backwards from what many would regard as normal…making / have made all the spars, seats, center board, rudder etc. first and then going to build the hull. Space is tight for me so I figured do all this before a hull grows.
  Few questions – do you feel any need or reason to consider a 12mm ply hull? I’ll be using this mainly in Narragansett Bay and RI sound. Also – do the parrell beads score or marr the mast? Would a rop grommet wrapped with leather work?
  I appreciate your wisdom greatly. Thank you.

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    Geoff Kerr says:

    Marty, I regularly build the four plank version of the Caledonia with 12mm garboards and 9mm topsides. This allows elimination of a pair of longitudinal bilge stringers are a pain to fit and inhibit clean bilge drainage.The garboards are so much narrower in the 7 plank version that those pesky stringers are eliminated. This design is so light and has so much deadrise throughout that the outer keel takes all the hits from beaching and trailering; the 9mm hull is plenty strong. If you want a more robust hull consider building with sapele ply instead of occoume.

    The finish on the mast does wear from both the parrell beads and the lug yard. Oh well… I have lately been using a halyard mast ring from Classic Marine in Great Britain and like that option, It does cost more, and is a particularly interesting challenge to leather but runs smoothly and is easy to rig. I have also been installing a sheave in the masthead of the last few boats, and as soon as I hoisted the main on the first one I ran back to the shop and fitted Ned Ludd with one…what a difference. I believe a plain rope grommet will bind.

    Just a note: I built Ned Ludd in the same manner you are using; lots of part and pieces before building the hull.I was stalling for warmer weather for an outdoor build. I’ve often built bare hulls for customers who started the other components before I even began their boats.

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  Jim Mog says:

  To Geoff Kerr:
  Geoff, where do I go to find used Caledonia’s for sale? Especially one built by you?
  This looks like an exciting boat to sail and yet very forgiving.
  Thanks for any info, Jim Mog jmogr@cfl.rr.com

  • 

    Geoff Kerr says:

    Jim, A few of the boats I have built have been passed on to happy new owners. I do not know of any that are available right now. I’d suggest keeping an eye on the WoodenBoat Magazine classifieds, both print and online. Maybe a “wanted” ad in those places? Feel free to check in with me directly. One might come up, and you never know, a new boat may be less than you think.

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      Seymour Hamilton says:

      Geoff, count me in for any information you might encounter on the whereabouts of a Caledonia, ESPECIALLY if it is in Canada. I live in Quebec and regularly visit Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, which makes me no stranger to Maine.

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        Geoff Kerr says:

        Seymour, check the online classifieds at WoodenBoat Magazine.There was a very recent listing from Ohio that may well be located in western NY state.

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  Jonathan Mc Donald says:

  What a wonderful boat. I like how it is trailorable and can sail a fair distance. Well played sir!

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  Robert Rooney says:

  Wonderful boat, great video.
  Just what I joined for.

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  terry finley says:

  Hi Geoff!
  Wonderful boat!
  I am building Iain’s Sooty Tern which is 19′-6″ long and a little more narrow than the Caladonia. I ordered the hull kit from Hewes. Also ordered the end tanks thinking that I need the flotation. After seeing Nedd Ludd, I don’t think I like the decks on the ends. Seems to me that they kill a lot of room. I like the open boat, and storage space.
  The problem is, I have never even been in a sailboat! I don’t know what to expect if I (when I) dunk! Can I get enough flotation in the open boat without unduly cluttering up the boat?
  Please tell me your thoughts on whether or not to install the decks.
  Thanks!

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    Steve Stone says:

    Hi Terry. Good questions. Geoff has answered the flotation questions in the video “Basic Boat Handling for Beach Cruising”. Also, check out the video “Self Rescue in a Daggerboard Boat” for more info on floatation and what to do in a capsize in an open boat.

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  John Manring says:

  Sam,
  Take a look and tell me what’s not to like.
  JM

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  David L Betts says:

  Fine boat. Loved the video. Thank you.

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  Alan MacDuffie says:

  Just fantastic, gents. Thanks for the great introduction to a modern classic and wonderful lesson in what the average trailer sailor needs most: modest cost, flexibility, simplicity, and above all, great sailing! A video series on building this gem would be a wonderful addition to the site.

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    Steve Stone says:

    Thanks Alan. Funny you should mention a video series on building the Cal Yawl… stand by, we’re working on that one.

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  Fred Rappley says:

  I had the chance to sail a Caledonia out of South Haven, MI with my boat builder friend Mike Keifer. Although the steer stick took some getting used to it was one of my favorite sailing memories. The boat sails like a dream, and was easy to launch and retreive. Thanks so much Geoff for sharing your experiences with this boat, every video I watch nudges me closer to one of my own.

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  Kip Otteson says:

  I have a question that I thought you might be able to answer. I am going to build a boat in Thailand and I want it to be a CY. However, the CY doesn’t call for any fiberglass in the plan. I’m nervous that exopy and paint won’t be enough to keep critters out of the boat? Do you guys have any thoughts on this? BTW – I love your videos and site. I’m a new member and the family is always watching videos together.

  Thanks.

  Kip Otteson
  Chiang Mai, Thailand

  • 

    Bert van Baar says:

    If critters are the shells that grow on the bottoms of most boats, you have to paint her with ‘anti-fouling’ to avoid these animals.
    Most of the time a CY is taken out of the water on a trailer when not in use. Thats why she is build so light weighted.
    If you leave your CY in the water, take her out of the wet substance for a brush every month or so.
    Like the answer?
    All the best
    Bert van Baar
    Bootbouwschool.nl

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  Freddie Estremera says:

  I love the simplicity of this little yawl! Being owner of a Tartan 27 yawl, I’m partial to the rig…

  I am a little envious of the practicality, looks, and range you can get out of that thing considering it would be an easy trailer sailor…

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  Geoff Kerr says:

  Ned Ludd went to the canvas shop yesterday for a deluxe trailer/storage mooring cover. Ernie and Aubry at Cloth-n-Canvas Recovery, on Mallets Bay in Colchester, Vermont have been making Caledonia covers for me for over a decade now, and we’re onto the 3.0 version. They were magnificent to start with and are getting better and better, with the major refinements being reinforcement and heavier chafing protection at subtle place like the oarlocks. The cover I’m replacing predates my years in Vermont, so I’m excited to be getting an expert product.

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    Steve Stone says:

    It’ll double as a boom tent, right?

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      Geoff Kerr says:

      Actually Steve, my ever so sleek boom tent is a Kelty parabolic back-packing tarp that cost a grand total of $25, hardware included. I tied the ends off to the masts, adjusted them to a height that might survive a windy night at anchor yet still give me sitting headroom aft for cooking and reading, then marked under the rails with a Sharpie marker to give it a custom trim. I cut that line oversized and rolled it over a piece of 1″ nylon webbing leftover from someone’s kayak, and bummed daughter #2’s sewing machine when she wasn’t looking. After stitching it up oh so elegantly I set a few snaps in the webbing and set their matching sockets under the rail. It stows small in a stuffsack, needs no spars, and seems to be perfectly happy taking me cruising. I doubt it will keep me dry in a gale, but I usually check the weather report before an outing, and usually have the option of camping ashore in a real tent.I’ve seen fellow small boat cruisers spend lots of time and money trying to get away from mosquitoes…I choose to wear long sleeves and trousers in the evening and anoint myself with a litlle magic elixer when needed. That saves a lot of money and rigging time.

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  Walter Connolly says:

  Can you build a plywood Matinicus Double Ender without frames?

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    Geoff Kerr says:

    Thoughts off the top of my head: In general, conversion from traditional construction to glued plywood lapstake does allow the elimination of frames. A ballpark equal plank thickness usually works. One should look analytically (in my shop that requires staring at it for a while) at particular features in the original design such as mast steps/partners, cb cases, etc to see if extra structure is needed; i.e. should we throw in a frame or bulkhead or some such extra strength point.

    Caveats: I’m talking off the top of my head without looking at the Matinicus, but I’d be glad to do so and discuss it further with you.

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  Michael Neilsen says:

  Light, strong, easy, what a fine boat. There is one thing though. It was noted in the video that this boat, being un-ballasted, relies in part on “sailing skill”. I’m 62 and and though reasonably fit I’m not as quick as I used to be. It would interest me to see some boats like this one that might be more accommodating of shortcomings in the skipper.

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    George Hill says:

    try swallow boats in the UK. They have a line of designs, some of which are similar to the Caledonia, and some that have water ballast that can be drained for ease of trailering.

  • 

    Geoff Kerr says:

    The ballast question comes up pretty regularly. Iain’s plans allow for 200# of “optional” ballast under the floor boards. There is plenty of room there, and it would be no problem to do. That said I’ve encoraged every client to sail the boat for a season before budening it with ballast. Why build a light, easily managed hull then weight it doen with ballast that not only slows it down but adds 40% to the loadt and stress of trailering?

    I’d class the feel of the boat as lively…with a very strong secondary stability. That means that while she heels with wind and crew position, the rail reaches a certain point and locks right up. Dipping the rail takes real effort.
    Rather than permanent ballst I encourage water bags…there when you need them, easy to dumo when you don’t.

  • 

    Steve Stone says:

    Here’s a practical addition to the question of ballast… A couple years ago, during the early stage of my lust for the CY, Geoff loaned me NED LUDD and I took her out single-handed and put her through her paces. I was blown away by her stability and ease of sailing. So much so, that I sheeted in the mizzen and went up to the bow and stood on the rail next to the mainmast way forward. I grabbed the mainmast, and leaned as far out as I could. Keep in mind the water here is 58 degrees on the best day of the year. She held me firmly, and I couldn’t get her to lean enough to make the exercise the slightest bit daring or interesting.

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  Geoff Kerr says:

  Here it is, February and high ski season in Vermont. Front and center in the recreational world though is planning Ned Ludd’s big outings for the summer, and contemplating a new trailer and cover. While the boat at 17 is going strong, the original cover has disintegrated and the trailer was used when I bought it. The first breakdown last summer implied more to come. Might be time to squirrel away some money for a chunk of peace of mind!

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  Michael Tamulaites says:

  This site rocks. Thanks for making it and Jamie, let’s you and I go halvsies on a boat that these guys can build and video from beginning to end!! Great video, great feel, great boat. Can’t wait to watch the rest.

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  Jamie Bloomquist says:

  Ok, sign me up. I’m sold on the Caledonia Yawl. Thanks for the tour.

  • 

    Steve Stone says:

    Join the club, Jamie. Hardly a week goes by that we’re not thinking of how we can get Geoff to build us a Caledonia, or how we can build one ourselves with the kit from Hewes & Co. We’ve watched Geoff build these for years and he’s got it down — knows all the tricks, and he has a close relationship with Iain Oughtred the designer.