Colinism

Lets try a new feature for today. Book review of Dave Gerr’s book, Nature of Boats. Well just to be clear before we get into it I love this book, I can grab it flip thru it and always find something worth re-reading. The book is really more a collection of past articles that N.A. Dave Gerr has written over the years for various publications (many seem to be from his excellent column from Offshore Magazine. Which sadly no longer exists. ) The book covers topics such as boat construction, design , stability and performance. It also features a number of drawings from Gerr’s own designs.  The book’s short articles allow for easy reading while providing a wealth of information, This helps avoid the book feeling over technical (boring) that some of the other books touching on basics of boat design can be. I personally love to read Gerr’s view of performance power and sail craft as well as his well though out al...

I drive by here once in a while and look at what’s left of a small working boat yard along the CT river in Cromwell CT. Based on the old sign it appears it was once called the Adams Henry boat yard. When I first came down here about 10 years ago the track for the marine railway extended across the road into the water. ( the track still appears to be there but the road was paved over a few years back. It appears the boats were winched up the track on a car with custom built cradles. The cradles were then shifted sideways onto the concrete walls in the yard.  Looks like you could fit a couple dozen 25-35’ boats in there. A neat place for sure. There is a house on the front of the property but I never see any one in the boatyard. I’ve asked around but so far no one seems to know any history on the place. So for now here’s a few pics showing the yard and the rails where the enter the water on the opposite side of the road.

The Island Packet PY 41 is a unique semi displacement trawler based on the IP SP cruiser  . The 41' shares many traits with it's motor sailor cousin including a ballasted keel that should make for a very seaworthy 41'. My favorite features are the excellent fuel economy per this Power and motor yacht article and the kid friendly 2nd stateroom. I also kind of like the forward cockpit as at anchor and dock hang out spot. I;m not sure how many were made but they seem pretty rare on the brokerage market. I could easily picture this as a coastal cruiser for the family. Coming from a sailing family the odd for a powerboat layout seems pretty good to my eye. This would be awesome for week long adventures along the New England coast with short run times between interesting harbors. It would also make for a really nice Loop boat.