Editorial
Chairman's Notes
Letters
Stop Press
For Sale
Comanche Catamarans
Annual General Meeting and Supper
Chairman - Harry Faulkner
Editors - Rony & Elise Buque
Paid up members may be interested to know that you now number 87 (families, that is). We have, since taking over the editorship, been very liberal in sending Newsletters - with reminder slips - to members whose subscriptions were woefully in arrears. This has had to stop, regretfully, as I am sure all will appreciate.
Most of you (who have manfully supported the Association) have money in the bank, so to speak; some few are on the very last dregs of their subscription (dare I say late 1979 for a few) and we are therefore asking you to send something in to help us out. The following statistics may be of interest:
| Paid Up 1981 Members | Fallen by the Wayside | |
| Britain | 52 | 18 |
| Continent | 21 | 18 |
| Americas | 14 | 17 |
What a dreadful year it has been. It started with gale warnings every weekend for months (starting on our part on 2nd January) and as the months passed we despaired of ever being brown again. The season redeemed itself with five weeks of sunshine from end-July onwards, during one of which we drifted around. Unlike our previous fortnight which had been heavy weather all the way.
Then September and back to the old pattern of gale warnings, starting with the last day of the Southampton Boat Show - which we left an hour or so before the marquees blew down! We’ve never known a season like it; where, oh where are the halcyon days of yore, drifting and dreaming in light airs and sunshine (or have we forgotten the nasty bits?)
We met people in the season who said "Thursday and Friday were lovely days, you should have been here." Would that we could, but like most people we are restricted to weekends and whatever is thrown at us. We seem to have got out of step with the weather pattern - how has the weather struck you? We would like to hear from you, even if it only makes us jealous. Come to think of it, WE WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU!
Turn to the end pages, fill in your slips, and return to us, please! As you can see, we have managed to book the Cruising Association Library on the only available day during the 1982 Earls Court Boat Show. So we were lucky to get it. Tickets are a bit more expensive this year, because in the past Sail Craft were kind enough to help out with a generous contribution; but for larger parties we have made it cheaper. The price is necessary to defray the booking fee of almost £60 (same price as last year). SEE YOU AT THE AGM : THURSDAY 7.1.82!
All in all it’s been a fairly eventful year. Starting off with Sail Craft going into liquidation in February, the Owners’ Association meeting in Chichester Harbour in July, the auction sale of Sail Craft’s assets at Brightlingsea also in July, and Taquamenaw being broken into and most of her gear stolen at the beginning of October. In between we managed to fit in a cruise along the North Brittany coast as far as Roscoff, enjoying the only two or three weeks decent weather the summer seemed to bring.
Rony and Elise also have their hot-line to the Great Manston, skilfully organising a short break in the gales to coincide with the owners’ meeting on July 4th. The superb Buqué catering and the excellent company of Iroquois (and Comanche) owners did the rest. It was, incidentally, interesting to see that MkI Iroquois (Ellicat - No.1; Los Ninos - No.59 and Taquamenaw - No. 60) outnumbered MkII’s (Chiquita - No.100 and Antares - No. 132). If George Bone hadn’t forgotten the date and sailed down to Poole that weekend instead, it really would have been a MkI occasion!
Being halfway through the building of my MkII, I set off down to Brightlingsea on July 11th for the Sail Craft auction with high hopes of buying a few short cuts to its completion. As it turned out, the first two lots, which I wanted, went so fast that they were knocked down while I was still dragging my bidding arm from its holster. Later I got it functioning so well that I think I was bidding against myself. I ended up with a hatch, two bits of a cabin table, a pair of aluminium skegs and a marine toilet. Anyway, as ever when a few Iroquois owners get together, it ended up (like all good wakes) with a good laugh, and a beer at the local.
Reg White was in there bidding like the recession was over. The moulds for all the Sail Craft boats had been sold before the auction - not that I’d intended to buy them in view of the roof rack I’d brought. I asked Reg who’d bought them. Sail Spar had. So it may be that we haven’t yet seen the last of the Iroquois. (Sail Spar is another of Reg White’s companies).
(For the latest information on this important matter, see Reg White’s own short note in STOP PRESS, and also Charles Hay’s page regarding the Comanche. We will be pressing for further news from both parties, and will keep all members as fully informed as possible. EDITORS)
For our annual cruise the weather did a spectacular U-turn. The cold and gales changed to hot, sunny and windless. A 14 hour gentle sail in hazy conditions ended with Alderney only being a mile or so from where we’d left it last year - it was just a bit over to the right when it loomed out of the mist, but the outboard was having one of its moods, and so we had to do a bit of fancy tacking to avoid the rocks on the one hand, and being swept down either the Race or the Swinge on the other before we made it.
This was followed by three days in Alderney with glass-calm seas and cloudless skies which continued for the next two or three weeks as we hopped (well, motored) along the North Brittany coast. Came back with a glorious suntan and a clapped-out outboard.
As for the break-in, the intruders smashed the hatch, left the inside of the boat in a muddy mess and made off with everything of value and a lot that wasn’t. At least I came off better than the owner of the Catalac on the next mooring - they made off with his boat, had to be rescued, and it ended up with the Receiver of Wrecks at Dieppe.
At least there’s the annual get-together in January, and a better season in 1982 to look forward to. I look forward to seeing you all at the Cruising Association in January?
CONTINUATION OF THE ASSOCIATION. ALL CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED (SEE BELOW) IS IN FAVOUR OF CONTINUING: YOUR SUPPORT IS THEREFORE MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER IF WE ARE TO DO SO!
From Rod and Haidy Blake
Dear Mr. Chairman,
With reference to your questions regarding the future of our boats without the expert advice and equipment from Sail Craft. I am certain that we need a reference area for all the plans and drawings. I would think that a list of suppliers that Sailcraft used for their additional items, e.g. waterbags, trampolines, etc. would be very useful. A section in the Newsletter "FOR SALE OR WANTED" would be helpful. The name and address of the new owner of the Sailcraft moulds would be invaluable.
I am sure Iroquois owners are already managing to tackle some of their problems this season without the help of Sailcraft. It would be helpful if all these people were to send in their solutions to any problems. I do hope something in this field can be organised. I am however aware that it is a big task and needs very careful co-ordination.
Rod and Haidy Blake
"KATIKI", No.116
From Rory Fogerty
In the Spring Issue of the IOA Newsletter it was reported that Sail Craft had gone bankrupt and doubts were expressed as to the future of the Newsletter. Since I haven’t received an issue since then I assume that it is no longer produced. This is a pity as, with Sail Craft gone, it now becomes essential to have some medium whereby owners of Iroquois worldwide can exchange views and ideas. The Newsletter fulfilled this role superbly. If a higher subscription would ensure continuance of the Newsletter, then this should be done.
Rory Fogerty
"TWFF", No. 161
(Two issues a year is the most that can be borne on the Association’s budget, nor is there sufficient material received to warrant more than a six-monthly Newsletter. If more people send in their News and Views (and illustrations) these will be gratefully received, and the twice-a-year Newsletters will be larger! - Editors)
From Doug and Janet Mackay,
IOA EAST COAST MEET "SOUTH DEEP", CONYER CREEK, 20 JUNE 1981
Fifteen men, women and children aboard three Sail Craft cats enjoyed a sunny afternoon and a warm June evening in a communal raft-up of:
For the Meet, Janet and I had been joined by Barbara and Russi Dordi who were to launch their home-finished Iroquois "BARU" barely 6 weeks later. We anchored Kawa fore and aft in anticipation of a raft-up and having regard for the strong tide and a cross wind. Celebrations commenced at 16.00 and by 18.00 all boats had arrived, Alleda from Whitstable, Top Cat from Southend and Buster from Burnham.
It was a DIY meet, as the Walkers in Top Cat and the Boyds (Fred is Commodore of the Narrow Seas Club) in Buster as well as we had finished their boats themselves - both Comanches to an impressive standard of finish - and the Dordis being in the midst of theirs. Paul and Jean Smedley found theirs in a Cornish harbour some years ago and after a very wet and windy sail to Whitstable have done a lot of hard work to bring Alleda to her present smart appearance.
Once the children had watched TV and gone to bed the meet concluded with a solid drinking session aboard Kawa which ended at 23.00 as both the Comanches had to return across the Estuary the following morning. So at 04.45, June 21, I was to be found on deck in pyjamas helping to cast off Top Cat and giving them advice on the best way to get clear against the tide.
Later after raising both anchors, with some difficulty, as they had dug themselves well in, we sailed off our anchorage and kept company with Buster down the East Swale until, with her more powerful beating capacity, she left us far behind and at Shellness we turned back to anchor for a while under Harty. After the tide had made we sailed to our home mooring at Hollowshore, which was picked up nicely over the bow on the first try, under the keen scrutiny of fellow club members in the bar at Hollowshore.
A nice ending to a happy meet.
Janet & Doug Mackay
Kawa
From P C Cotgrove
Thorpe Bay Yacht Club North Goodwin Light Ship Race, 11.7.81 "Mauna Kea" won. 90 mile course, time taken 8 hrs. 12 minutes.
P C Cotgrove
"MAUNA KEA", No.48
From Paul & Therese Cheney
Dear Rony and Elise;
Enclosed please find our cheque in payment for our coming years’ IROQUOIS OWNERS’ ASSOCIATION membership. We certainly appreciate the excellent job and effort you are doing with the newsletter. I’m employed in the aerospace industry here and am especially appreciative of the quality artwork in the Spring ‘81 issue .... your illustrations (and text) are superb!
Enclosed is a copy of the reply I sent to Dr. Kelly regarding his centerboard enquiry in the above newsletter. Ours is a 1970 Mk II. Recently I noticed a 1979/80 model seemed to be rigged from Sailcraft with the two blocks including the becket identical to how I modified ours … good! Because of my many encounters with our shoal water here I chose ball bearing blocks and a pennant diameter of 7/16" to get a good handgrip on.
The centerboard stops (rollers) would frequently get caught on the lower lifeline. Tying the two lifelines together between the forward stanchion and pulpit eliminated this problem, and provides the bonus of additional clearance when carrying low cut headsails.
We are still sailing with our original Seahorse sails. Along with others of our vintage, I felt our mainsail was cut too full. This was much improved with a Cunningham and boom yang, however the real improvement came with an extension of the battens to 48" for all 4 battens - which also works well for carrying spares.
I’m not one for marinas, and generally limit my sailing to where I can safely sail into or have little difficulty getting out under sail. For several years now I have enjoyed the simplicity and dependability of an old style 6hp Seagull with a custom extra long drive shaft. It provides a fine lightweight motor in coastal water but is a bit underpowered in restricted waterways against winds or currents. If much motoring is to be done, I’ve found an excellent outboard choice to be a 15 hp 30" extra long shaft extension Chrysler with their large sailboat propellor. The depth of the propellor seems very important, shallow propellors just seem to cavitate in the disturbed water between the hulls, regardless of horsepower. Switching to a lighter motor (under 20 hp) also allowed replacing the custom Sailcraft outboard motor mount with a smaller, lighter mount. A saving of nearly 100 lbs was realized at the crossarm with the Chrysler 15 hp compared with her original 40 hp Evinrude standard shaft motor and Iroquois mount, with increased speed under power with the deeper running Chrysler, and vastly improved fuel consumption.
Best regards with your efforts, and good sailing.
Paul & Therese Cheney
"Aloha Nui", No. 105
Dear Dr. Kelly;
It was good to hear from another southeastern US Iroquois owner in the Spring Iroquois Owners’ Association Newsletter. Perhaps some of my centerboard experiences may be of help to you.
While sailing our Florida waters I’ve twice broken centerboards; once on a hidden bar at about 7 knots (instant deceleration!), and the second in open water midway to The Dry Tortugas (log ?) in which we felt little impact. One beauty of duplicate centerboards and rudders is that after the first loss we were able to complete an additional four months sailing before hauling out to repair the broken board during our usual antifouling haul out. The last centerboard loss we repaired afloat at dockside following our very enjoyable cruise to The Dry Tortugas. This latter repair is what I imagine you would like to do to reduce the thickness of your boards - which we also did for a better fit.
Your Mk II Iroquois boards can be removed while afloat so long as the forward berth locker bulkheads are watertight. The centerboard pivot pins are located on the centerboard trunks in these lockers. On deck carefully mark by tape or paint lines marking the centerboard position relative to the deck, e.g.
With one or preferably two people on deck, remove the centerboard pivot plate by gradually loosening the four mounting bolts, than remove the plate quickly. Those on deck should pull the centerboard out of the trunk as quickly as possible, and the pivot pin replaced to stop the inflow of water. Pump or bail the locker dry before attempting to replace the centerboard, for usually it takes longer to replace the board (and more water enters) than the removal since the pivot pin/hole alignment must be done by feel - accurately marking the centerboard/deck position really helps here. The mounting bolts should be alternately tightened gradually and evenly.
(On Pen-y-Mor Dau we have two small holes drilled through each board. These are at deck level when the board is in the fully-up position. To remove a board we then simply insert two long masonry nails (i.e. with no head) through each hole. These span the slot and take the weight of the board when the pivot pin is removed. If the location of the nails is marked on the deck, it is a simple matter to replace the board in its original position, so that the hole in the board will line up exactly with the pivot pin. Webmaster)
To reduce the water inflow into the locker you might attempt to trim the sterns higher or heeling your Iroquois by shifting moveable stores/ballast, or if working alone you might chose to allow your Iroquois to dry out on a falling tide, pulling the two boards when she is aground, and replacing the pivot pins. You can than grind and epoxy the boards at your leisure, replacing them on another low tide.
Of interest to you also perhaps would be my revision to the centerboard pennant system. In lieu of the supplied two part system I added an additional part for more mechanical advantage when raising the boards.
Best regards, and happy sailing!
Paul & Therese Cheney
"Aloha Nui", No. 105
From Rod and Haidy Blake
Dear Rony and Elise,
I have noticed in every newsletter that there is a very strong contingent of Iroquois Owners abroad, especially in Canada and America. Armed with this knowledge and the comments people make about how super it is to live and sail over there, I thought it would be a good holiday to spend a few weeks sailing/living in the warm waters.
Somehow it might be possible to use the Iroquois Owners Association to do this in the form of an exchange, whereby time could be spent with an Iroquois Owner abroad and the same idea in reverse over here. This way the visitors could share with the owners the pleasure of their company and the delights of sailing in a new area without the difficulties that sometimes arise from sailing in another country. I am sure if it is planned carefully this idea could be very successful. If anyone is interested in considering this idea, please let us know.
(AND SEND DETAILS OF YOUR CRUISES TO THE NEWSLETTER! - ED)
Rod and Haidy Blake
KATIKI, No. 116
From Dirk van Zyverden,
Last Summer I bought the Mark II, No.135, from Bob Krentel, and recently Bob sent me his copies of the Ownership bulletins and I was very happy with them. It is too bad that the US Agent, who sold most of the boats in the USA does not tell customers about this association. I also wrote to him and asked him about the boats in his name, to whom they were sold and where, but I never got a reply.
We are enjoying Gemini very much, we live in an area with a lot of shallow water. Unfortunately we have not been able to make any extended cruises, except picking her up at the Northern Chesapeake Bay.
Dirk van Zyverden
"GEMINI" No.135 (ex Volante)
Iroquois No. 156 PAS DE DEUX Mr. Parkin informs us that the new owner is Mr. D. Kimble, Forest Hills Drive, Southampton, Hants.
From Pauline and Roy Butler
After three months of "living aboard" we are settled to this easy life, and as we thought, "Krissy" is a perfect home (I only had two grouses about her, and I had those before this trip). It took just three weeks to arrive in the Mediterannean from our home port, Christchurch, via the French Canals - Rance, and Villiane to Bordeaux and Canal Du Midi to Port La Nouvelle. Thence down the Spanish coast. Now we are heading up the French Riviera.
We are laying up here (La Grande Motte) and returning home shortly for the winter, and hope to see you at the Annual IOA Meeting in January. Should you care for a short slide session as an infill, we have an interesting record of our trip, which may work up an appetite in members and dispel any horror stories!
Pauline and Roy Butler
"COMANCHE KRYSTAL" No.l00
(Yes, please, we look forward to seeing them in the CA Library! And are livid with jealousy at the thought of three months afloat! - Ed)
From John Owens, Jr
I read with interest Dr. Reg Crampton’s article on righting an Iroquois. A powerful dust devil capsized my Iroquois in Halifax Harbour Nova Scotia when a hurricane was about 180 miles to the West in the State of Maine. I jumped off the Iroquois without a life preserver and left two passengers in the cabin.
The mast float prevented the Iroquois from going upside down. The waves were one foot and the wind about 12 knots in the harbour. A 30-foot workboat and coastguard power boat righted the Iroquois by tying a tow rope to the bottom of the mast and placing the rope over the gunnel at right angles to the hull. It took about 3 minutes of a pull before the hull righted itself. About 1 foot of water entered the lee hull in about 15 minutes.
JOHN OWENS, JR., ex-owner No. 34
From Reg White (Address supplied)
Dear Rony and Elise,
I thought I would drop you a line to let you know that I will be building Rod McAlpine-Downie designs through Sailcraft International Ltd, perhaps you would be kind enough to put something in the next Newsletter.
(I am sure we all join in wishing Reg,well, and look forward to much more news from him before long. Ed)
SALE OF IROQUOIS "TWO MUCH" SAIL No. 293 (1978)
IN VERY GOOD CONDITION - TWO OUTBOARDS, 5 SAILS, MASTHEAD BUOYANCY, DINGHY PLATFORM, "DOG-HOUSE", VHF, LOKATA, ELECTRONIC LOG AND ECHOSOUNDER, HOT AND COLD RUNNING WATER, FOR QUICK SALE : £12,OOO
SANDY COLLIE, (Address supplied)
Comanche Catamarans has been formed with the intention of supplying well built boats for home completion, at competitive prices. By purchasing the moulds at a favourable price and keeping overheads to a minimum, we have been able to reduce the cost of a boat substantially. Additional equipment required to complete the boat is available, and this can be discussed prior to placing an order.
We have undercover storage facilities near Newbury, Berks, where we are forming a self build group this winter. A skilled carpenter will be available to give help and advice when necessary.
The boat is moulded by Reg White in Brightlingsea, and we recommend the following specification.
Price £7,200 ex VAT at Brightlingsea.
If this is of interest to you, please contact me so that I can arrange a meeting to discuss your requirements.
Charles Hay, Comanche Catamarans, Watership Cottage, Duck Street, Berwick St James,Wiltshire, SP3 4TX. tel: Stapleford 551 (072 279)
TO BE HELD ONTHURSDAY 7TH JANUARY 1982 AT THE CRUISING ASSOCIATION, IVORY IOUSE, ST. KATHARINE DOCK, OFF EAST SMITHFIELD BY THE TOWER OF LONDON, FROM 1900 HOURS.
YES, WE HAVE MANAGED TO BOOK THE LIBRARY OF THE CRUISING ASSOCIATION FOR OUR VENUE AGAIN! A BUFFET SUPPER WILL BE SERVED AT 1930 HOURS, THE COST BEING £5 PER PERSON. THERE WILL BE A FULL BAR SERVICE, WITH BOTTLES OF WINE ON SALE. (PARTIES OF 3 AND OVER £4.00 PER PERSON).
IVORY HOUSE CAN BE REACHED EASILY FROM TOWER BRIDGE UNDERGROUND STATION, WHICH IS A QUICK JOURNEY FROM THE BOAT SHOW, AND THERE IS PLENTY OF PARKING IN SURROUNDING STREETS/CAR PARKS.
PLEASE COMPLETE AND RETURN THE BOOKING FORM BELOW WITH YOUR PAYMENT, AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, AND AT ANY RATE BEFORE 21ST DECEMBER, 1981, SO THAT FINAL CATERING ARRANGEMENTS CAN BE MADE.
