Tahiti Ketch

[Fore and Aft]

Hugh the only disappointing thing about a Tahiti ketch is that they are a small 30-footer compared to a modern sailboat. But that is double enders in general.
Cheers

[Bowdrie]

Here is a hull view that has the lighting and angle to show that, yes, they do have a "Keel", and actually a pretty good one for tracking.

[Fore and Aft]

Bowdrie don't forget the romance shown in the photo. Varnished spars, gaff rig, bow sprit all fantastic to look at as long as you don't own them.
Cheers

[Bowdrie]

Originally Posted by Fore and Aft

Bowdrie don't forget the romance shown in the photo.

Ha ha, yes of course.
The romance that spawned a thousand dreams.
Warm waters, white sand beaches, palm trees gently swaying, and fair maidens with a beautiful smile and not a political thought on their minds.
I too have a healthy streak of romanticism.
In fact, if I ever had the chance to have a boat built it will be a Colin Archer gaff cutter, (but a lot larger).
Ok, back to reality, it, (the design,) has plenty of what is called a "salient" keel, where there is actual definition between it and the hull and appears to be of more-or-less constant siding, rather than where the keel timber is "molded" into the planking with a rabbet line that is quite curved in plan view,
Much like a smaller "Colin Archer" pilot boat, not a difficult shape to build, (I suppose that was one of the reasons that so many have been built).

[Hugh McCormack]

To: Bowdrie & NS Boatman,

My big boat racer-cruiser days are behind me. I never race, but I wanted a vessel that would move in the light southwesterlies of a New England summer, so I purchased a C&C Northeast 39 in 2005, and sold her in 2013. Loveliest vessel Rob Ball ever designed. We're kicking the "tires: on a Tahiti, but she's very rough and lacking some essentials (like an enclosed engine compartment for one) and she's on the West Coast. I had my eye on a Saltram Saga, and an Atkins ketch, but we didn't act on either. Thanks for the mention of the Dreadnaught. Images are a sister to my C&C (mine would have been dressed with her canvass, and her leather wrapped Destroyer wheel. She handled like the Ocean 71 Sealestial I did a pro stint on and a transat in 1973.

Cheers, Hugh

[Cheechako]

Originally Posted by Hugh McCormack

Can anyone tell me how this Hanna designed Tahiti ketch makes more headway than leeway with a keel this uniformly shallow (images & specs attached)?
Cheers, Hugh McC

Who says they do?
Whatever boat you have, you find a way to get there.
I doubt Columbus's, Capt Cook or Magellan's boat sailed as good as that Tahiti Ketch!

[Don C L]

I have a good old friend, very experienced sailor, owned a wooden ketch many years ago, Atkins I think, not a double-ender. He joined an acquaintance on his Tahiti ketch to sail back from Hawaii to Santa Barbara. The boat brought them home, but the stories he told of poor, slow performance to get up into the westerlies, the way she rolled unless she had a strong breeze sounded like the trip from hell to me. He said he kissed the ground when they arrived.
The Dreadnoughts were built close by here too and there was one for sale in the boatyard a while back.
But really, sail one before buying I'd say.

[slowlysailing]

Originally Posted by Bowdrie

Much like a smaller "Colin Archer" pilot boat, not a difficult shape to build, (I suppose that was one of the reasons that so many have been built).

Yes, I believe that was what Hanna had in mind... the plans were originally offered in Modern Mechanix magazine in 1935, for the determined home builder. Easier and cheaper.

[Bill O]

Hugh,
This is a nice double-ender. https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...9k-274987.html

A bit more modern design by Bruce Bingham that sails well with a well thought out interior.

We have one of Bruce's larger versions of the double-ender and will say it handles down wind sailing like a champ.

[Hugh McCormack]

Very thoughtful of you Bill. I appreciate it. There's a lot to like: double headsail rig, substantial bulwarks with low maintenance toe-rail, rubbing rail etc. and her interior is rather perfect.

I've never been a huge fan of center-cockpits and hard dodgers, and we've had to adjust ourselves to some changes in our ability to travel far for the moment, and so may end up with a cruiser/racer (e.g., Frers 33), because they're very inexpensive, and we're likely not leaving New England waters, and the light summer air that comes with it for now.

I found one 33, but too late. She was post-survey and in papers signing stage. There are 50 odd 33s in New England, so I'm hoping well get another shot. A great sail inventory and a big Fortress wheel doesn't hurt either. I know this is *miles* from a Tahiti ketch, but the wooden Tahiti was lovely to my eye, and came with a nearly irresistible price < 14k, and though she was in Washington, we thought we could own for a season or two, sail Puget Sound and isles, and then donate her to a sailing school, or something along those lines. We're now staying closer to home, and making the necessary changes in vessel selection. Many thanks for your post.