PocketShip in Small Craft Advisor

[Neffie]

Actually, it is on the cover AND is a featured article. I haven't picked up the mag yet, but their articles are usually pretty detailed and honest.

http://www.smallcraftadvisor.com/

[Jim Cav]

Is this magazine available on newstands? I don't recall ever seeing it. I might just have to ask Santa for a subscription to this for Christmas.

[Neffie]

I have only been able to find it at Barnes & Noble. My local store only gets a small number of copies and I miss them half the time. I'm keeping a close eye on them this time!

[Neffie]

I traded a few emails with Joshua at SCA. He said the magazine would not hit the stands until after January 1, but should be out there by the 5th. I told him about my local Barnes & Noble not receiving any issues since August to which he said they are constantly changing which stores carry it. He said that Books-A-Million generally carry it so if you have one in your area, check them out. I decided to just buy a subscription so I wouldn't have to worry about missing it anymore.

[Jim Cav]

At this point I don't want to spend the money on a subscription, but let us know if the article is worth hunting for a copy of the mag.

Thanks

[Neffie]

The mag arrived in the mail a couple of weeks ago, but this is the first chance I've had to make a post about it.

The article was a "plan study" written by John Harris. Now, I like John and have talked with him on the phone as well as in email. I also like CLC and the products they produce. I'd buy another kit from them without any reservations if the mood struck. And, I have and will continue to recommend their products to other prospective small boat builders. I was under the impression that articles like this are usually done by a 3rd party. Just the same, the article wasn't written as a review. It was a discussion about the design of the craft and some interesting bits were mentioned. Things such as design considerations and specs were listed. Of particular interest to me was the explanation of why there are no side decks. The cabin sides were moved outward to increase the below deck space to allow more comfortable seating. My own Victoria 18 has side decks and their existence makes sitting upright impossible. If you are below deck, you are either hunched over, or laying down.

In all, I wouldn't buy the mag just for this article. But, there are other articles that place it on my recommended list. One was an interview with author William Longyard about his book "A Speck on the Sea". It's about very small craft making long and dangerous voyages such as crossing oceans. I'll be looking for a copy soon. There are also articles about waterproof trailer lights, sailing in the fog and camp cruising in a 17' sailboat.

If you happen to spot a copy on the news stand, pick it up.

[Peter]

In addition to the Small Craft Advisor article, I see that PocketShip is also featured in the current issue of WoodenBoat Magazine. My copy arrived in the mail yesterday, and I haven't had time to sit down and read the article yet. But it has a nice collection of photos of this fantastic design. I certainly would like to build a PocketShip some day. It's just that boatbuilding time has been really hard to come by, lately.

I saw the prototype in Mystic at WBS 08 last year. The cabin is surprisingly roomy, and the cockpit is just about perfect for this size boat. There was some ongoing discussion last summer about the tiller design, but that is remedied easily enough. I'm glad to see Commodore Harris' latest design is getting so much positive attention!

[Neffie]

My copy of Wooden Boat arrived in the mail today. I haven't had a chance to do anything except remove the mailer from the cover.

I look forward to reading about the boat. If I were in the market for a trailer cruiser, I'd definitely be looking at this design long and hard.

John

[Jim Cav]

"There was some ongoing discussion last summer about the tiller design, but that is remedied easily enough. "

What was the discussion about? My untrained eye doesn't see the problem. But then again, I walk into walls sometimes...

[Peter]

"There was some ongoing discussion last summer about the tiller design, but that is remedied easily enough. "

What was the discussion about? My untrained eye doesn't see the problem. But then again, I walk into walls sometimes...

Wow, now that you ask... my memory is really going. I think it had to do with the arc of the tiller- the first version was a bit low, and would hit you at the knees as the helm was put over. Or was it just the length...i.e., not being able to reach it while sitting a bit forward in the cockpit. Either way, it didn't seem like a huge problem, which is probably why I can't fully remember it now.

[Neffie]

I remember comments about the tiller being too long. However, John said he preferred it that way as it put him right behind the cabin and helped keep extra weight (helmsman) out of the stern.

John