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Search engines seem to track our entire lives. Some also trawl the web for images. Here are some that Google found on 11th March 2013. Click the mosaic for today's update - there are lots to explore.

     

Formed in 1979 at the Southampton Boat Show by a group of junk rig enthusiasts, the JRA (Junk Rig Association) is for its members and about their boats and their rigs. We aim to: promote the use of the junk rig by encouraging members to organise 'rallies' and 'junkets' (see About Us) and via our tri-annual Magazine and this site; encourage the development of junk and related rigs, the building or conversion of boats to the junk rig, and the use of vessels with the rig or its derivatives; create an international community of people who've already 'junked' their boat, are thinking of doing so, or are just interested in learning what it's all about.  

Summing that up, our main job is to get the rig talked about. Former Chairman David Tyler certainly helped there: the Ocean Cruising Club recently awarded him their Rose Medal "for the most meritorious short-handed ...and exceptional voyage on board Tystie [from the UK to New Zealand]. You will  have inspired many others, some of whom may well adopt a junk rig." David's follow-up voyage to and around Alaska was tracked here. Tystie and David are now in Canada.

We were formed in the UK, and although our 'office' address and banking remains in the UK we are run by an increasingly international Committee via the Internet. A number of posts become vacant every year, at the AGM, so if you choose to join you could also put your name forward to help run the 'club'. It doesn't run itself. Our membership is now more than   50% outside the UK. Click the chart for detail.

Minke Luna - owner Ben Luna

Minke Luna is moored in Evans Cove in the Deer Harbor/West Sound area of Orcas Island, in the Pacific Northwest of USA.  Our previous two boats were Wharram catamarans (also lovely), and

we have continued with the concept of flexi-space for the interior, albeit now only one hull.  The interior readily converts from king-sized bed to workshop, to camping kitchen, to navigation center to … private commode with the luggable loo.  There is one house battery and one starting battery for the always-faithful, inboard Yanmar 3M.  Electronics are minimal, although we did bump up this year to a snazzy GPS, proper radio and running lights. 

The mast is keel-stepped and about 30’ above the partners.  The sail has seven battens.  When asked its size, we say it’s red and big, and it reefs ‘like butter’, both up and down.  In summer months, we enjoy raising up the two bottom panels for light airs meandering, while friends sit on the cabin roof. It looks funny but works fine.  Our best sailing (when we’re feeling serious), is between December and March.  The winds are consistent and steady and push the little junk along at a steady 5.5 knots.  Aside from exploring the many small islands and following the minkes, orcas, and humpbacks (not too closely), the little junk is the mother ship while our youngest son, 11-year-old Aristotle, races his lateen-rigged, outrigger canoe in West Sound.  We can’t hope to keep up, but we have a dandy of a time resupplying the racers with kimchee and hot chocolate, another odd combination, but the young sailors love it! 

Please come visit!

Love, the Luna Clan

Our Boat of the Month Archive is here.