THE KETCH COURSE
Five days; four different ketches.
HANS VIERTHALER — AUGUST 10–16
There are many out in the sailing world who feel that the best rig for comfortable and safe cruising is the ketch. Deep-water cruisers not preoccupied with speed often favor ketches over yawls and sloops. Such a boat is more maneuverable, more easily handled in heavy weather, and safer than most others. Over the years here at WoodenBoat School, we have used a wide array of traditional sailing craft in our seamanship program—ketches, schooners, sloops, and an occasional yawl. And since the ketch rig always seems to stir plenty of interest with our students and instructors, Hans Vierthaler has designed a course that takes an in-depth look at four different vessels sailing this particular rig.
Day one on the water will have students becoming familiar with a quick, little 19' double-ended Mackinaw ketch designed by Nelson Zimmer. The rest of the week will find you stepping aboard PATIENCE B, a simple, but strong, 36' William Hand-designed bluewater cruising, gaff-rigged ketch; DEVA, design No. 65 of L. Francis Herreshoff, a 36'6" gaff-rigged ketch featured in WoodenBoat No. 157; and ABIGAIL, a 40' Alden-designed ketch which is the epitome of the classic yacht. Throughout the five days students will discover how these boats all have different sailing and handling characteristics and also require different skills.
Along the way there will be plenty of basic seamanship skills to discover. You will learn about standing rigging and running gear, making the rig work, shortening sail, light-air sailing, and coping with heavy weather. Your instructor will explain simplified anchoring, practical maneuvering, mooring pick-ups, how to sail backwards, balancing sails to eliminate weather helm, and learning what?s quicker than tying in a reef.
Whether you’ve had previous opportunities to sail on ketches or not, Hans promises each student who signs on a very interesting and enlightening week on the water. Call early for this course, as it is certain to fill up quickly!
Tuition: $790