Nancy's China -- Bill Cleveland

February 24, 2011

Sam,

Thanks for visiting with me and my daughter. We had a great time; you have a super shop. I read the book with interest. Here is an older photo of my boat the "Sea Otter" coming in for the season in Gloucester Harbor. That is the State Fish Pier in the background. The aft cabin bulkhead is vertical and placed ahead of the centerboard trunk. I raised the height of the centerboard truck up to the seat level. I raised the seat level say 5" or so. You will note a short aft deck. Higher cockpit coamings by a few inches - two layers of 3/8" ply to make the difficult bend. Note no outer carlins on the cabin top. Note outer gunnels (white oak) run all the way forward into a point. Don't ask how I managed that. Outboard fits to top of transom and needed a wedge to keep it vertical. Motor is a 6 hp Tohatsu which pushes the boat with control in about any weather. Aft on the gunnel you might make out a ring cleat with attached dock line. You can't see the mid-ships ring cleat that sits flat on the deck just ahead of the coaming. There is a 4x4 mahogany Sampson post fitted down to the keel. Mast is stepped in a tabernacle ala Chelsie L. You can see the mast pad, two layers of 3/8 inch ply.Note the jib cleat is on the inside of the coaming and is a simple Schaeffer black jam cleat. Mainsail sheet attached mid boom. Boom end held up by a topping lift, a rolling hitch back to the standing line. Seats at the time had positive foam buoyancy beneath. Ballast is 300 lbs lead tire weights in specified position. Extra fiberglass lain in underneath the ballast per LLoyd's of London specifications.

Mast is Sitka Spruce in two pieces laminated together after sections were routered out to keep weight down. Raised boom position and mainsail adjusted to fit new location.Below a few items such as flares are in holders on the bulkhead. A few 5 gallon buckets, anchor below. Note, the 7 foot oars barely fit anywhere, so I might get some two piece oars @ 8'. The gas can usually sits aft on the opposite seat. It needs a tie-down. These days I store the companionway hatch and the hatchboards in place when out on the water. Ply was Sapele mahogany I thin. Spanish mahogany timbers. System 3 epoxy. Small breakaway skeg in front of rudder (fiberglassed in place with no fasteners). Lexan portlight outside of cabin side thru bolted with mahogany outer trim ring.

I'll send new construction photos as I remodel this Spring.

Best Regards,

Bill Cleveland
Email Bill
35 Harbor View Ave.
Winthrop, MA 02152

See plans, specs and a description of this boat in the Design Catalog & Store.