Clipper Craft 23 Lapstrake Dory Cruiser

[Captain Kirk]

I've been looking for a small trawler for cruising in the Pacific North West. Must be less than 28 feet. I want a wheelhouse with maximum space and I'd like to be able to cruise at around 8-12 kts. I'm looking seriously at a Cipper Craft 23 with a Volvo 130 hp four cyl. I/O. I've been a sailor up till now. Anybody had any experience cruising these boats or this engine. Know anyone else who owns one I could speak too or where I could find the builder. They apparently used to be in Vancouver, WA but no longer. Any ideas for a similar but better boat? Will I be sorry trying to cruise that fast? The added range for a weekend trip sounds good to me but I'm used to cruising at 5-6kts. in my current Virtue Class Sloop which I'll be looking for a good home for if you know someone.

[frank undewood]

There was a guy in Seattle (?) who made a ********** version of the Clipper Craft a couple of years ago.However was heavy and needed 250 horses to make it go. The wood version wasn't more than 4500 lbs all up. The Volvo you mention would push it 8kts but would be working to do it. I have a 22' Bayliner Explorer (1981) that had a Volvo 4 banger. It really worked to get me up on plane. I switched up to a Volvo six and got more top speed, 22kts, and used more gas. The usual trade off. Today I cruise at 16kts, get 2.3 ktmpg. Your Clipper Craft may do better. I think the larger engine will last longer and give you abetter range of speed.

[Captain Kirk]

Frank, Thanks for your feedback about the Volvo 4Cyl. I guess this Clippercraft holds a few secrets re: weight and drag reduction in design. We went out on sea trial and easily got up to twenty kts. at about 2500 rpms. The seller told me to expect about 4gals./Hr. at that speed. The fatory brochure says she'll top out at about 30kts! Don't know how that'll convert to RPM's and fuel consumption but it's pretty impressive if it's true. My being a new convert from 40 years of sailing, I was already abit tense at 20, and I suspect I'll generally hold her down arond 12-15 for cruising. From my house, that means I can reach Princess Louisa Inlet or Barkley Sound in two days!! Amazing who's taken a week to do the same in the past, and been cold and wet the entire time. ANYBODY OUT THERE OWN ANOTHER CLIPPERCRAFT? It'd be great to see some pics of other people's boats and here about their cruises, how about trailering to Baja, the Keys, the Mississippi for a Clippercraft Rally?(Oh, yes, I forgot to mention. I did buy her, and my Vertue is still for sale! Her name was "Patience", so I'm tempted to name the new boat "Impatience".)Thanks again. How do I attach a photo to this thing????

[frank undewood]

Cap't Kirk: I believe your figures. I forgot how efficient the Clipper was. I trailer up from MDR every year and put in at Des Moines or Anacortes. First at Chatterbox in 1966. Was smallest boat at 20'. Everybody thought we were "cute" and how did we get a Calif boat up the coast? Try a trailer. Now use the 22' Bayliner. Much more weight than Clipper. My thoughts, go with the Clipper. Your sea trial sounds great. The top speed might be great if you have to cross Sts of Georgia in a tight time window. By the way, usually get to wooden boat show in Pt. T. every other year. This is the year. If you become a Clipper owner perhaps we can go across Georgia Sts. together. This old guy appreciates local knowledge.

[Captain Kirk]

Frank,

I used to live in So. Calif. Cruised a lot around Catalina and occasionally the channel Islands. I do have a trailer for the Clippercraft. I live in Port Townsend and have shown my Vertue Class Sloop in the Festival here every year for the past eight. She's a real head turner and I'm going to have a tear in my eye when some lucky guy sails her away. She's in beautiful shape, all epoxy saturated and now that I've got two boats I'm ready to offer somebody a great deal for a beautiful classic and the finest small world-class cruising vessel afloat! If she's sold before Fall, I'll try to show the Clippercraft, along with a sweet little Rushton Princess Sailing Canoe I built a couple of years ago. Look me up when your up here. Tell me more about Princess Louisa, I haven't been in there yet. Been by there several times but always in too much of a hurry to spend time going in or out. It's my first destination when the Clippercraft hits the water this Spring however. :rolleyes:

[frank undewood]

Princess Louisa is the most beautiful spot on the BC mainland. It is about 90 N.M. from Nanaimo (sic) on Vancouver Is. You have to cross the Sts. of Georgia to Pender Hbr. and that is where your new found speed will be a blessing. It can get very rough in the Straits. Plan to spend at least two or three days in Louisa. As I told you this area has been my destination since 1966. Have covered from Puget Sound to Port Hardy on Vancouver Is. Last two years by myself. My lovely wife has too much arthritis to travel and most of my friends have become couch potatos. Would be nice to travel with a local who pots along at my speeds. 11 to 18 kts.

[Captain Kirk]

Frank, Let's stay in touch. I bought this new boat, in part, to get my wife more interested, but you know how that goes so, we'll see. Either way perhaps we could link up somewhere along the way. I've been once to Port Hardy and back, escorting 25 dugout canoes to the Pan Am Games in Victoria. Once up to Ketchikan crewing for a buddy and once alone, all the way 'round Vancouver Island via Desolation Sound and Cordero Channel. Did 18 kts. in my 6kt. hull-speed Vertue in the midst of Green Point Rapids! Like white water rafting in a 5 ton sailboat!??! Besides of course most of the rest of the sound, San Juans and Gulfs. I'd be happy to share any advice or details upon request. Thanks again for your interest and hope to meet you at least at the Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival.

Capt. Kirk