What Brand of Sailboat?

[SinglerM]

Hi,

I recently bought my first sailboat. All I've been told is that about 15 or so years it was owned by a Japanese sailor who sailed it to Guam. He later sold it to an American man. He owned it for about 10 years. It changed hands a couple of more times.
I just bought it from ShadowRWolf here on this forum. It's possible that it was manufactured in Japan, or maybe Taiwan. But it could be from anywhere. I would really like any information about my boat, if anyone knows anything that could point me in the right direction I would really appreciate it.

The Hull ID number begins with "GUZ" the last numbers are "73". based on this I know it was made in 1973, but that is all I know.

It's 29 Ft. and some inches long. I have an old faded registration, all I can read on it is that it has in the past been registered as 10 meters in length. By my measurement it's a little under 30 ft.

The hull shape is a cruising fin keel or a cruiser/racer hull, I guess. It's rudder is supported by a partial skeg.

Two design features that might be of some help in identification are an adjustable backstay. There is a wheel that you turn to adjust the tension.

In the bilge under that mast there is a steel I-beam that the mast compression post sits on top of. It is a deck stepped mast however.

I've read that there are some boats out there that were known to use a steel I-beam in the bilge. So I thought that mentioning this feature might help in I.D.'ing my boat.

Anyway, if anyone out there knows anything that might help, Thank you very much.

I have included a picture as well.

Thanks,
Mitch

[Hud3]

Hi, Mitch.

Here's a link to the USCG database of manufacturers' identification numbers. Maybe that will help you out. Manufacturers Identification Code (MIC) Database

[bob perry]

Boy, that's a good one. It is an old IOR design probably designed to the half ton class limits. There were several good Japanese designers working on boats like that at that time. The Carter 30 was built in Japan but I'm pretty sure this is not a Carter 30.

[SinglerM]

I'll search through the database and see what turns up.

I'll look for for information on IOR boats as well. Anything I can turn up will be helpful.

Hopefully I can find out more designers' names and eventually figure things out.

Thank you very much.
Mitch

[Drumroll30]

Hull shape looks similar to the Canadian built Northern 29.

[Portobello]

Certainly agree with Drumroll
Here's one for sale:
Google Image Result for http://www.boatdealers.ca/images/thumbnail/photo_view_details.aspx?BoatPhotoId=888337&Width=4 00

[Sailorcanuck]

Your metric conversion is wrong. 10 meters = approx 32 feet 10 inches

[SinglerM]

I found out more information on my boat.
I just got a file folder full of documentation from the previous owner.

I now have a copy of the registration from 1986 where it was registered in Japan. The home port at the time was Numazu.

I also have all of the original drawings from the designer. This shed a lot of light on my boat.

Designer: Syuji Watanabe
Builder: Katoh boat Ind.

From the drawings.

L.O.A. 8.992 m. 29' 6"
L.W.L. 6.985 m. 22' 11"
Beam 2.819 m. 9' 3"
Draft 1.580 m. 5' 3"
Beam W.L. 2.438 m. 8' 0"

Listed in the information box of the drawing is:

S-161-R (I think this is the drawing number)

23' WL Sloop
Half Tonner

Fin Keel (Lead). Weight= 3,059 lbs. (1.390 kg)

A google search turned up no additional information on either the designer or seller. I'm glad to at least have the basic information.

Am I correct in thinking that most I.O.R. half ton boats were more alike than different?

Are any characteristics that I may read about in other similarly designed boats also apply to my boat?

Just curious, as I learn more about it.

Thanks for all of the responses.

Take care,

Mitch

[bob perry]

Mitch:
Half tonners were designed to rate 21.5 under the IOR. They were generally about 30' lOA and displaced about 5,500 to 7,000 depending upon the designer. Due to the IOR's CGF ( center of gravity factor) these boats are designed to be initially tender. Most half tonners of the type you have are very good upwind in light to moderate air. Off the wind in a breeze they can be a handful if you push them hard and sail them to deep but if you don't put the kite up in winds over 20 knots you will probably never have a problem.

Shuji Watanabe was a very famous Japanese designer.

[SinglerM]

Mr. Perry,

Thank you for all of the information, and you thoughts on the boat. It's my first boat, so it's very helpful to know a little bit about it.

The general handling characteristics are helpful as well.

Thank you,

Mitch