'Keeping Junks in the Family' a reply to Brian's article in issue 59

  • 23 Apr 2012 21:04
    Reply # 899228 on 893007
    Peter, thanks for giving permission for David to use your comments, and indeed to David for already thinking about issue 60. Does the man never rest? And great to know that China Girl is Seawych.

    Annie - thanks for your nice comments too; glad you enjoyed the article. Looking back on it now two adults and two tots on a 20-footer was a bit 'hugger mugger' as Jonathan Snodgrass would say. I really don't know how we did it, but there's a lot to be said for it and they certainly were exciting, adventurous days - very dfferent to how I spent today - head down in the bilge changing oil and filters. That outboard well on the Kingfisher 20+ was such a good idea. Remember your Missee Lee articles in the A5 mags too - great.

    For those who read the article, here's an update. Vincent Reddish's Shui Jen arrived by road at my daughter's Alpine boat-park this very evening at 1900. All she needs now is for the reservoir people to re-flood the lake once the snow melts. Judging by the photo she just sent, the heavens may do it for them.
    Last modified: 23 Apr 2012 21:14 | Anonymous member
  • 22 Apr 2012 00:48
    Reply # 896913 on 894113
    Peter Scandling wrote:

    Brian

    I would be more than happy for David to publish my reply in the next magazine. 

    Peter

    Peter,
    Duly noted, with thanks. I've already started up a folder on my computer entitled " material for issue 60". All contributions gratefully received, everyone.
  • 21 Apr 2012 21:01
    Reply # 896822 on 893007
    Just wanted to say how much I enjoyed your article, Brian!  So many people managed quite happily to use a 20 - 25ft boat, very successfully, as a family boat.  isn't it amazing how big boats have become?  Now wonder so many people think that yachting has become expensive.  i remember the 3 months I spent on Missee Lee in Brittany, as some of the happiest of my life!
  • 19 Apr 2012 23:07
    Reply # 894113 on 893007

    Brian

    I would be more than happy for David to publish my reply in the next magazine. 

    I have had a reply from Robin and it would appear that the Viking 28' advertised in his brokerage section under the name 'China Girl' is indeed my Fathers old boat. 

    Being young and naive I was disappointed with the boat.  A certain amount of peer pressure was at work here, my friends, that sailed, all had stories of spinnaker broaches and surfing atlantic swells.  I could not compete !!!  Of course I now realise what my father was trying to achieve.  A safe, easily handled boat that all the family could enjoy and that he could sail alone, when crew was hard to find. 

    Peter

  • 19 Apr 2012 22:47
    Reply # 894100 on 893007
    Peter Scandling wrote:

    Brian

    .... it struck me that the junk was pedestrian, and boring..... there was nothing to tweak,  even going about was effortless....

    Fast foward 25 years ... and I can see what attracted my father to the junk rig.

    I would love to know what happened to Seawych...........  

    Peter

    Hi Peter

    I'm really pleased that my little article got you reminiscing and, what's more, that it may even turn up the boat that inspired you to sail 20,000 miles. (I must work out how many miles we've done.)

    Your description of anno domini changing your mind about the junk rig was fascinating and kind of echoes what my kids now think about the rig. Melanie (39), who has just bought Shui Jen, has memories that are the reverse of your initial ones, i.e. she always loved it. Matthew (37) didn't, and still wants to go faster, preferably on a gas guzzler. Junk rig does seem to have the ability to take minds to extremes, i.e. you either love it and can't get it out of your system, or hate it. But even if people can't see the point they don't ever forget it.

    Good luck with Seawych - I really hope she's the one. Keep us posted, and would you give permission for David to include your response in the next issue of the Magazine, perhaps on the 'Letters' page?

    Brian
    Last modified: 19 Apr 2012 22:55 | Anonymous member
  • 19 Apr 2012 13:17
    Reply # 893629 on 893007

    Roy

    Many thanks for the pointer.  I have emailed Robin for confirmation.  She certainly looks like the same boat.

    Peter

  • 19 Apr 2012 09:16
    Reply # 893439 on 893007

    Peter,

    Look at Robin's website, where you will find China Girl.

    http://www.sunbirdmarine.com/viking_28.htm

    I looked at her a year or so ago, and there was a name discernible below the paint on the topsides.  Not sure if it is the same, but the "wych" part sounds familiar.

    Roy.

  • 19 Apr 2012 05:08
    Message # 893007

    Brian

    I am one of those children......... When I was about 10 years old my father decided to fit out an Atalanta hull.  Having read about junks and seen 'Jester' he decided the junk rig was for him.   I remember years (literally) of weekends spent in Blagdons yard on the Embankment in Plymouth.  It was also where I began my interested in boat building.  It was on this boat that I was given my first lessons in laminating; being the only one small enough to be able to get into lockers and to the wrong end of the pilot berth!!  (Social services would have a fit!!!)  Finally the boat was finished and the sailing started.  I remember those small voyages well. 

    It was the early days of the junk..... he was a member of the JRA and, I think, liked the idea of 'being different'.  The first few trips were, on reflection, hilarious.  Rope everywhere, the sail never quite going up as intended.  Eventually he got it right, and we enjoyed many happy miles.  At the time, I was young and full of dreams of speed and ocean voyages.  it struck me that the junk was pedestrian, and boring..... there was nothing to tweak,  even going about was effortless.  Eventually he decided that he was not a 'junkie'.  The main reason was time.  He was running his own business and holidays were run on a tight schedule.  The boats lack of windward performance always caused problems, and so he sold the junk (and reverted to bermudan rig in the shape of a Westerly).  The boat in question was called 'Seawych'.  He sold her to a local man.... I think. 

    Fast foward 25 years and with age comes wisdom.  I have always remembered, with fondness, the days on Seawych, and I can see what attracted my father to the junk rig.  He had a young family to consider and the ease of operation, the reduced heel of the boat, and the sense of adventure all appealed.  So now I find myself in a similar position.  But there are two major differences..... I will not have the time constraints of the office, and I have no family.  Without realising it the junk rig made a huge impression on a young man. The extent of which is only becoming apparent now!

    I would love to know what happened to Seawych...........  My father pretends not to be sentimental but I think he would be very touched to know that those early days had such an impression on me, and I think he would love to know what happened to his boat. 

    Peter

    Last modified: 19 Apr 2012 23:46 | Anonymous member
       " ...there is nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing as simply messing about in junk-rigged boats" 
                                                               - the Chinese Water Rat

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