A Gull has a number of appealing attributes. It can fly, it can float and paddle itself around on the water and it can walk fast and upright on the land.
This classic Maurice Griffiths design yacht 'Lone Gull 2' which he had built for himself in the 1960s can't fly (although she can "fly" downwind in a sedate and steady manner when sailing), she can certainly float and sail herself around on the water and although she can't walk on the land she can sit upright on the sand or mud when the tide goes out. So she has I suppose what could be called Gull like tendencies. Griffiths named her 'Lone Gull 2' because she is a development of the first gaff rigged centreboard keeled 'Lone Gull' which was of similar size, although her displacement was much heavier,
'Lone Gull 2' has a number of interesting attributes (including the above mentioned) that set her apart from many of the 'run of the mill' type yachts that abound. These attributes appeal to me greatly.
- She is of raised deck construction which vastly increases her internal volume both in visual and actual terms.
- She has twin bilge keels (as well as a central lead ballasted keel) which allows her to sit upright when aground. These bilge keels combined with her deep forefoot and long keel allow her to steer herself for long periods of time.
- Her hull form which has deliberately flattened bilges means she is very steady downwind without any rolling action at all. Griffiths wife who was very susceptible to sea sickness was never ill on this boat. She is not a racing machine and makes no concessions on that score, but her hull form allows for a steady six knots or more in whatever direction you point her.
- Her mast is designed to be used in a tabernacle which would make any maintenance easier.
- She solves the perennial problem of what to do with dinghy. She carries her rigid dinghy 'Baltic Style' over the stern is a pair of sturdy davits. At 28 feet long Lone Gull 2 is the smallest size of boat that is capable of carrying a dinghy in this manner without the whole outfit looking silly and out of balance. She is able to do this by having a nice broad stern; a seven foot dinghy on this boat doesn't look at all out of place.
Over the years I have collected a few sets of complete building plans. Many of them I have inherited from my father. The building plans for 'Lone Gull 2' are perhaps one of two sets that are my most prized of all.
With her easy docile manner, ample accommodation, ability to sit upright on the mud and the dinghy problem solved in such an inspired manner, I would call this boat a great retirement option for old sea dogs.
2 comments:
If it was this or a Peter Duck (yes, the two boats im interested in have odd bird names) for a retirement cruise around a decent portion of the globe for one, South China Sea or med as live aboard or holiday aboard afterwards, would you have a preference between the two and why? Cheers G
One mans wine is another mans poison, so these sort of answers are always pretty subjective.
I think both of these boats are great but on balance I would go for the Lone Gull 2. I think that the sailing performance would be better, she has shoal draft and can sit upright if caught aground with the tide going outand when coming out in a boat yard for antifouling in out of the way places she doesn't require a boat cradle as she can 'stand on her own 3 legs as it were.
With the raised deck means the Lone Gull 2 is very roomy down below - but the downside of this is that she doesn't have side decks to walk around as the Peter Duck has; b ut I would live with that compromise.
The rig is modest and easily handled without the complications and poorer performance of the Peter Ducks Ketch rig - a rig I wouldn't put in a boat as small as PD.
I also like the davits on the back of the boat. You wouldn't want to carry a dinghy in this manner for deep water sailing, but it is a handy arrangement for coastal cruising and day sailing. On an affshore passage the dinghy would travel lashed down on the cabin top.
There is of course nothing wrong with the Laurent Giles designed PDuck and it also would make a very nice docile cruising boat - again in this comparison it's a matter of taste and individual preference. Involved in all of this is that old 'X' factor - a boat is like a woman - you have to like how she looks ! : > }
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