$16K NZD

I have no affiliation to the owner, I just happened to spot this in the boating section of NZ's version of ebay this morning (TradeMe).

Appears to be a well constructed ferro build, with a lovely wood finished interior. 5'9" headroom, fine for us shorties.

Prime for a conversion to JR by a Kiwi looking for a boat in this size range.

Advert says it was built in Tasmania and sailed to NZ in 1980.

If I didn't already own a Contessa 26 I'd be looking at this seriously myself!

https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/boats-marine/yachts/keeler/auction-1457156706.htm

Yes it is a sweet little boat, beautifully built.  Wilf O' Kell was a respected designer and builder of strong ferro boats in the 70s in QLD. My only reservation is that I would not want to put a mast through that lovely double bunk up fwd.  It is a major issue with small boat conversions - I paid the price on Arion but I miss my huge double bunk.  It is just not the same having to share the bunk with the mast, certainly not a cold alloy one.  Maybe varnished timber would be more acceptable but things would still go bump in the night!  Your shins or forehead, depending on which way you slept.

In truth, it wouldn't be an issue because it's a FAKE double bunk.  Sad. 

There is a fold-down flap on the starboard side, if you look carefully atthe photos.  It is, in fact, over the toilet, which could be a tad annoying at three in the morning.  So I suspect that there's quite a large, comfortable single along the port side.

And, of course, if you didn't want the mast next to the bunk you could always either put it at a strong rake like Fantail's or go for a split junk rig or the type that Pete and Linda fitted to Francis H.  There are so many of these nice little boats about just waiting for conversion - if you don't have a hankering for shoal draught.

Yes - I believe that's Tigidou - she was BOTM in September 2011.

Chris

Arne Kverneland wrote:

One can find more about Bruno Caroit (not Cariot) and his Tiguidou (not Tigidou) on the Yahoo JR group. Just search on brunocaroit under Converstions  -  or try this link.

https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/junkrig/
conversations/messages/20616

Bruno actually sent me a well-edited DVD, showing the boat sailing. She appears to sail well. As can be seen, Bruno has built camber into both sails.

Arne

PS: It would not surprise me if the CE of Tiguidou's schooner rig sits a bit too far aft. I notice that the mainsail is reefed on Graham's photo. Maybe Tiguidou is candidate for a La Chica type rudder?

Ah yes, the vexed question of balance.  My sistership, Minke, has more weatherhelm than the bermudian-rigged Arion had, so I raked my mast forward by three degrees and have been happy with Arion's balance under junk rig.  The Tom Thumb design does have a very large rudder, with the largest area at the bottom, and I am not sure if it could be improved, but I'm no expert.  I am also not sure if it is possible to get the CE of the schooner rig further forward on such a short, heavy boat.  Everything is a compromise!  I have learned to live with my mast position but if I sell Arion, as I am considering, and buy a fibreglass boat for my "retirement" years, I may face the question all over again.  Most small production boats here put a large double bunk forward and have cramped quarterberths aft, often with a dinette in the middle.  I am not keen on another major boat project.  My idea of fun these days is to potter around in the morning and snooze in the afternoon! (I have probably just completed my last long coastal passage.)

PS:  Interesting that Tiguidou has cambered sails.  I did not pick that up in the photo but can see it now upon closer examination.  That is another question I am going to have to reconsider in my new life of daysailing around sheltered waters on fine, sunny days, when the breezes will invariably be light.