Notes
Chairman's Notes
Letters
Acknowledgement
Chairman - Harry Faulkner
Secretary/Treasurer/Editor - Rony and Elise Buque
Probably the less said about the 1980 season the better - cold, windy and miserable most of the time! In fact, our 9-day cruise to the Channel Islands could not have been at a better time, i.e. the Spring Bank Holiday week, at the end of May. It was warm and we began to congratulate ourselves on the possibility of a real summer to come - how wrong we were!
But we are pleased to say that our Summer Meet, the first of its kind, was a real success. Oh yes, the supper planned on the beach at Newtown Creek went "overboard" should one say, it was far too damp and windy for that, but we all managed to cram on board our Comanche, EL BUQUE V, and had a hilarious time. One member and crew even made it over from Jersey to attend - congratulations Roger and PUSSY! Gale warnings were in force for the return trip on the Sunday ….. while we were drifting or motoring through the Solent back to Chichester in absolutely Nil wind, Roger had quite a battle, but returned safely to St. Aubin.
These photos were included, but unfortunately no captions, so the identies of the people are not known- Webmaster
Participating in a (prolonged) Happy Hour were the crews of:
Joy Feline and Chatanika were hoping to make it as well, but in the event were unable to be there. Never mind, we’ll have another try in 1981 and perhaps the sun will even shine!
Sail Craft have been kind enough to supply us with a list of Iroquois Owners, and this forms a large part of this Newsletter (Not shown - this information has been collated on the Boat List page - Webmaster) . This list has been checked with our own card file system, and amended as far as possible. Present Iroquois Owner members are marked with an asterisk (but please note this does not mean your subscription has been paid up to date - if in doubt your cheque would be welcomed).
A copy of this Newsletter has been sent to everyone with an address on this list, so we are hoping for a good response from those who are not yet members, we would be pleased for you to join the ranks! Subscriptions and letters, photographs, articles, PLEASE!! And why not join us at the Annual General Meeting and Supper Party, booked at The Cruising Association for 7 p.m. on Friday 9th January 1981. Full details and application forms at the back of the Newsletter. This should tie in well with your annual visit to the Boat Show, and the underground trip from one venue to the other is quick and easy. As you may know, members have for several years been wondering if The Cruising Association would not be a good place to have our AGM - it will be, so bookings please, well before 20th December. The Cruising Association Library can take up to 100 people easily, so we do not anticipate having to restrict numbers.
The 1980 season hasn’t been one of the best to write about - it must have been one of the coldest, wettest and windiest on record. Not least amongst the events it interfered with was the meeting at Newtown Creek on July 12th. Rony and Elise had done their usual efficient organising job on it, announcing it well in advance and giving clear directions.
By late afternoon on the Saturday, eight Iroquois and Comanches had gathered and their crews met for an opening reception in the spacious cockpit of EL BUQUE V, Rony and Elise’s Comanche. The drinks and snacks would have been superb if they had been produced with the full resources of a home and kitchen - Elise should publish a book about catering on board.
Unfortunately, around 7 pm the weather decided to take a more negative role in the proceedings, and the evening was spent listening to rain lashing against decks and windows. A great pity because of the way it restricted further activities. Nevertheless it was good to see these eight boats gathered together and to meet their crews in the luxurious surroundings provided by EL BUQUE V.
Pity we didn’t have a prize for the member who travelled furthest to come to the meeting. No doubt about the winner - Roger Buckle in his Mk.II "Pussy" who sailed all the way from Jersey, with Graham Falls, a Mk.I owner in Jersey as one of his crew. Afterwards they made their way back in a gale which prevented their setting their course and drove them into Cherbourg for a brief overnight stay before completing a round trip which must have been approx. 250 nautical miles.
Another prize should have gone to George and Heidi Bone. Not because they travelled the shortest distance - from their base just across the Solent at Beaulieu - but because of the magnificant condition and appearance of "Melody of Wight" their Mk.I Iroquois. I believe she’s No.14, must have been launched early 1967 I guess, and looks lovely.
Our own sailing in 1980 was again a bit restricted. Although Taquemenaw made three Channel crossings, in May, August and September, we couldn’t manage time for an extended cruise.
The September crossing was a long weekend, made in a force 7 after two or three days of gales. In spite of having some 5½ feet reefed out of the main, and using the no.2 jib, we did the 70 or so miles from the "Run" at Christchurch to the West Fort at Cherbourg in 8 hours 50 minutes. Stomachs didn’t seem to suffer from the rather Alpine seascape - we were enjoying Moules Mariniere in a local restaurant within an hour or so of tying up to the pontoons.
The sea was empty of boats most of the way. We did pass close to a French fishing boat some 10 to 15 miles off Cherbourg, crashing its blunt-nosed way into the seas. The reaction of the skipper was to lean out of his little cabin, point one index finger at the side of his head, and use it to draw imaginary circles around his temple. Means the same in any language, I guess. I was inclined to agree with him.
The shell of our new Mk.II Iroquois was delivered in June, and Sail Craft managed to get our delivery costs down by arranging its delivery to fit in with a load going back to Brightlingsea. The shell itself is good except for a leak into the cabin from somewhere in the anchor locker in heavy rain and some bad patches in the gelcoat near the bows.
Mike Derrett has suggested we list any such items, then when we are nearer finishing they’ll send someone down from Sail Craft to deal with them all at once. We’ve now got most of the inside work done. The difference from 1968 when we started building Taquamenaw is that my three sons, David, Adrian and Stephen are now 22, 21 and 19 respectively, and I am relegated to being their assistant. This is David’s fourth boat-building project; he’s built a monohull dinghy and a "Unicorn" catamaran since his apprenticeship on Taquamenaw.
Finally, but by no means least, I had a letter recently from Reg Crampton, the previous Chairman, who has spent the last couple of years or so in Mexico. Reg has obviously enjoyed the experience and managed to get in some sailing. His letter with illustrations will be published in the Spring Issue of the Newsletter, which will be something to look forward to.
Best Wishes to you All, and Good Sailing in 1981!
From Stephen J Kelly
Dear Buques,
We really enjoy the newsletter and appreciate the time, effort, and love it takes - with your letters, we don’t feel so alone - we keep our boat in Pensacola - a very old, even by European Standards, and conservative town. A boat with two hulls absolutely blew everybody’s mind and wagers were made on the day of the capsize and our inevitable and just destruction.
After eight years the mood has changed to the point that we must plan to leave our slip in the dead hours or be host to yachtsmen who want a boat tour and ask a few questions - very flattering but it’s hard to get any sailing in.
Hurricane Frederick demolished our area with many masts sticking out of the water as a memo. A forty foot wooden cruiser landed on our port deck - damage to ARAKT $600. The hull of the unfortunate cruiser completely stove in.
We built and installed a solar trickle charger that fits beautifully on the nearly flat area next to the cockpit - no more anxieties over dead batteries and it gives the slick cat a "Star Wars" appearance.
Why the name ARAKT? The only permissable clue - my son and I are both ophthalmic surgeons!
Stephen J Kelly,
"ARAKT", Iroquois No. 154
From G J B van Swelm
My home port is Lithoyen, a small village on the river Maas about 120 km upstream from the sea. Every year I spend 2 - 4 weeks sailing offshore, as far as Gothenburg in the North and St. Malo in the South. I have participated in many regattas, with gratifying results.
The Iroquois is really an efficient and beautiful boat, the designer and builder deserve our greatest admiration and gratitude. I have never had any serious damage in normal sailing. In my experience there is only one weak point - the centreboards. When running aground, especially when this occurs on a rocky or stony bottom, there is a fair chance that the fixing pin tears through the hole and the board comes loose. This has happened to me 3 times so far.
Our local carpenter found repairs were not too difficult, and could be managed without taking the boat out of the water. I found that bringing the pin into the hole (working in the blind) can be made easier by grinding off the edge of the pin end.
I would like to know if this mishap occurs to other owners, and what can be done to prevent it? Of course, the hole could be strengthened by a metal plate, but I fear this would then result in damage of the centreboard case, when running aground.
To diminish the impact when running aground, I have fixed on either side a large ring of elastic rubber to the halyard of the centreboard. When I sail in shallow waters, the board is kept down by fixing the halyard to the clamp by means of the rubber ring under light tension. I think this is an easy and effective way to prevent damage to the board and the boat.
G J B van Swelm
POEKOEL TEROES T.K., No. 89
From Major J. D. Ross
I am going to race Moonduster across the Atlantic in the 1981 Observer Transatlantic Race, double-handed. I will write an article for the Newsletter when the race is complete, but could any of your members do anything for me first:
Moonduster has aluminium keels and I would rather race with wooden ones - is there anyone who would possibly exchange keels with me for the duration of the race or, if they wish, permanently? Do Mk II keels fit a Mk1?
(Anyone interested please respond direct - Editors)
Major J. D. Ross
MOONDUSTER, No. 46
From Bill Rich,
CENTREBOARD FIXING PINS
I have a sketch based on the details originally supplied by Sail Craft for some S/S pins that I made and fitted to my Mk2A when we fitted her out - these have survived since May 1978, having been continually immersed except for last winter in sea water with shorter spells in fresh/brackish water. Slight pitting only has occurred at the base of the pins where the flange is welded on. I bushed my centreboard holes with nylon to suit.
I have also modified the rudder fittings since, as an engineer, I hated the thought of similar metals grinding each other away! To this end bosses were welded to the trunnions and a tube welded into the gudgeons, sized so as to take nylon bushes; the bolts were replaced by purpose-made pivot pins. This gives extremely light steering and instead of replacing expensive (or difficult to make!) fittings if they wear, you just change the bushes.
I have also designed and fitted a special bracket for the Autohelm - details to hand if anyone is interested.
My bugbear at present is rudder retraction! Anyone any ideas on how to prevent the bowing of the stock checks that occurs due to differential rates of expansion between the ply and the reinforcing check-pieces? - thus causing a tight "throat" at the after edge and ensuring that once my blades are up, they stay up unless given a hefty shove with my toe! I am reluctant to give more clearance since this is the area of maximum stress.
Bill Rich,
CHATANIKA, No. 267
From Peta and Ellery Snyder
We sail (in close company with Bill Barnett owner of a Hirondelle "CATSPAW") on Long Island Sound out of Westport and Norwalk respectively. Unlike you - we’ve had a hot, dry summer, which has made our weekend "overnight" trips to Long Island most enjoyable. (Hope you have a good atlas!) The daughter of some good friends of ours living in Blackdown (almost your neighbours) sailed with us a month ago while visiting here. This past weekend we sighted two other Iroquois on the Sound but were too distant to make contact.
We have installed a "Tillermaster" on "Chinchilla" - named Elsie because of the cow-like noise it makes. When operating properly it enhances the skipper’s physical fitness. He can run around trimming sheets instead of screaming at his crew (wife). With the course dodger we can sit forward in the cabin, out of the inclement weather (not English rain, but Long Island Sound relentless sun). Elsie keeps a good heading (15o or better) when fresh. After a couple of hours she gets sloppy (120o).
When informed of this fact, the maker said "Oh, heat stroke." The photo diode on the compass gets lethargic. He said to return for repair.
"OK," I said. "Is there a quick fix to finish the season?" "Yes," was the reply. "Try a straw hat."
The hat helped, but a wet towel was better. Alas, this last weekend, air temp. 98o, very clear sun and dew point 85o, no good. Elsie gave up.
An any case, this is one of the simplest, best designed gadgets I have seen. When the gremlin is exorcised, Elsie is very well worth having (very low power drain).
Peta and Ellery Snyder
CHINCHILLA, No. 76
From Fred Boyd
Dear Mr Buque,
I take this opportunity to write to you with some details of our summer cruise in our new finished Comanche. We did have a short holiday in it last year after making it seaworthy at Sailcraft works, where it was also launched.
We went to Calais and then raced at Burnham week but, unfortunately, a lot of Autumn weekends were taken up with sailing back and forth to Brightlingsea with leaking problems, which were eventually cured. Our sail number is 22 and we have named the boat "Buster."
Our cruise started at Burnham-on-Crouch in August and we set out for Calais to start and, hoped then, to the Channel Isles, with the winds light and variable, we eventually made Calais where we spent the weekend. My wife and I (who make up the entire crew) decided to take a couple of fold-up bicycles this year, and what a pleasure it was to cycle instead of walk, it opened up a whole new frontier to us.
After about 3 days of no wind we finally got a S. wester and decided to make for Holland instead, so we left Calais for Ostend. We made it in record time with a following F.6. We had stayed at Ostend about 12 years ago with our first catamaran but found it was anti multi-hull. I’m sorry to say that the situation has not changed there as we were refused entry to the new Mecator Haven because we were too fat! As we watched from our berth alongside a fishing boat, the facilities of this Haven was extended to mono-hulls of all shapes and sizes and nationalities.
We left early next morning for Flushing with a gale warning of SW 7 - 8. As we got into the Westershelt it started to blow quite hard and the seas got quite big. We started to surf down the seas and in one sustained burst reached 19 knots which got a bit hairy so we clawed the sail down, but even on No.2 jib alone were doing 10 knots. We were very glad to make Flushing and lock in.
On passing Flushing Yacht Haven, we noticed another Comanche masthead float. After sheltering in Veere for a few days the other Comanche arrived. Frankie and I made ourselves known and were cordially invited on board for a beer. This is a Dutch boat, sail number 12, called "Fai-la," and the owner is a Mr J G Beijer with his wife and 2 teenage children (Address supplied - Webmaster).
In the course of the conversation, I mentioned the Iroquois Owners Association and he seemed very keen to join as there is nothing like it in Holland. I promised I would forward his name and address to our editors and assured him that they would put him on our mailing list. Mr Beijer has had a lot of dealings with Sailcraft. It is a great pity they do not mention the existence of the Iroquois Owners Association, perhaps it could be put to them.
The rest of the holiday was spent slowly cruising around the towns and inland seas of Holland which always makes a very relaxing holiday. We got as far as Willemstad, then made our way back, ending at Bresking. From there it was light airs and motor halfway to Harwich where we cleared customs and spent the last Saturday night at the Butt & Oyster, Pin Mill. The next day found us beating up the Wallet into a SW 5 - 6 to Burnham. We got quite wet which is something for a Comanche.
To conclude, our Comanche is not as fast as our Iroquois, which we owned for 6 years. The Iroquois was faster and more exciting to sail and race but the Comanche is a lot more comfortable to cruise.
Fred Boyd
Buster, Comanche No 22
From R. McArthy
Please will you advertise that I have an unused OPENING WINDOW for the saloon to the cockpit bulkhead of an Iroquois which I would like to sell. Anyone who is interested should contact me at the above address, or telephone me on 01-805 8484 (evenings) or 01-363 5353 ext. 2200 (working hours).
R. McArthy
SEACAT, No. 295
From Robert R. Johnson,
To help others avoid a small problem I had this summer, I’d like to mention that in a 35 mph wind the lower stay on the starboard side broke off its clevis pin just at the spreader. The mast fitting had been bent upward and the shroud sheared off the cotter pin and came loose with a bang. I think the problem was a combination of not having the mast vertical enough and of not having the shroud tight enough to keep the mast from bending. We had sailed about 4 hours on a port tack and the shroud came loose just after we had changed to a starboard tack.
Robert R. Johnson,
VIVACE, No. 235
The photograph on the front cover showing RUNAWAY, No. 192 has been sent to us by Burton Liebman. He tells us that the picture was taken as he was passing the lead boat in a local yacht club race.
