Hello all,

This, my first post, is to introduce myself and let you know that I have just purchased Quest.  Like several of you, I have lingered over the Yachtworld listing for a while, and finally decided to go for it.  I flew East from California, got a survey that reassured me that her hull is sound, wrote checks, tried to pay close attention to the long-time owner's information, and started the re-documentation and trucking arrangements on my way through Boston Airport and back to California.  I arrived back here just in time for the Bay Area "shelter in place" regulations, which are now statewide due to Coronavirus. Quest is supposed to arrive in California in ten days, a trip that will involve a couple of different trailers and trucks.  She may be on the hard for a while, while the pandemic runs its course; at 74, although hardy, I need to be cautious. My sailing experience includes a mostly double-handed circumnavigation, but I have only sailed once on a junk: a heavy steel Colvin, where I couldn't lift the yard off the sail bundle with the halyard.  At 5'10", and with a smaller boat, lighter rig, and self-tailing winch, I hope to have a few years with Quest, in San Francisco Bay and the Delta, as well as Southern California's Channel Islands.  Though the previous owner had Quest since 1996, re-rigged with a "kit" from Robin Blaine and Alan Boswell around 2003 or so, and is amenable to answering my many questions, I know I will be asking lots of questions here, too.

David,

From the details:   "The tapered aluminum mast is in made of 6061 aluminum alloy with a wall thickness of 1/4" and a height from the deck of 38'8" and from the water line, 42'11'

No word on mast diameter.  I agree that the first boat buying rule I learned (the hard way of course) was to sail a season before making changes for anything other than safety. 

To me, the only think "necessary" are lifelines.  Maybe a boom gallows.

David (Dawes),

With a sail area lists at 529 sq ft and a displacement (of the Atkin "Tern) of 12,500, the boat has a ratio of 15.7.  I think it is definitely under canvased. 

Is there hoist room to add another lower panel?

Any thoughts from those who (unlike me) know what they are talking about?

Anonymous wrote:

I should not even be thinking of buying another boat, but this one is not that far from me and life is short.  Alan Boswell designed the rig, the boat design is solid and the price is right.  I am concerned about the flexible battens.  I would want to add lifelines ASAP.  What are you observations?

https://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1974/custom-atkins-with-junk-rig-3482670/

Dennis

This could be quite a find if you are looking for a relatively heavy older design.

Is this a William Atkins design and which one?

In the Puget Sound area the W. Atkins inspired/designed Tally Ho Major is built in fiberglass as the Cape George 31 a locally well-regarded cruising design.....and this boat is already junk rigged, sail and mast look to be in the correct position with respect to lead and weather helm and at around $1 per pound (assuming you've got the weight right) that's a good price if survey doesn't show major problems.

I think I'll keep my eye on this one myself!

Good luck.

robert self

David (Dawes),

Thank you for the info.  I am in Redding Ct, but have friends living in Jamestown.  Where are you keeping your Badger?  I would love to see it and maybe get a chance to go out       one day as  have never sailed on a junk rig. 

As I have no dreams of far off shores (unless you count Block or Maine) Quest may suffice.  I will know more if and when i see it.