Reuel Parker

[Larch_Keilson]

I sure do like his designs and the construction methods documented in his book. The designs are true classics, in the world of work boats. His philosophy on wood conservation and materials usage is admirable. His Pilot Schooner series got me back into boating -this may or may not be good.

Has anyone seen his designs for the Friendship Sloop? I can barely afford to build his 28' Pilot Schooner, but I can dream, yes? Incidentaly, it is the simplicity of the 28' Pilot Schooner construction that impressed me most. The classic Egret design is another masterwork of concise building methods.

If anyone has anything to add to this thread, please do. I could look at Parker's work all day long -in fact, I have. Thanks, Larch.

[landlocked sailor]

The design review in WB 180 has his 50' power cruising sharpie; very interesting. Rick

[TimothyB]

Very personable fellow when I talked with him in Rockland, ME. He had setup a temporary(?) office renting above the marina I was using at the time (Beggar's Wharf) and so when he came in to grab a donut I was prompted to say 'Reuel Parker? Wow! I have your sharpie book!' He seemed flattered and talked with me a bit.

Seems very salty and a nice guy. My impression.

His designs seem to be inspired by a simplicity and clean living approach. And heck, for a guy to make any dough from boat designing.. he has my respect just for that one! :)

[BillyBudd]

I read his book on cold moulding most every day as, while I'm building, there are ideas and instructions that help, inform, advise, guide, suggest...on and on. I think his books and designs refreshing.

His wonderful boat, 'Tomfoolery', was featured in WB mag a few years back, with a review (his last I think) by Joel White who advised (check it out!) that the boat was probably not the best for heavy weather -- but do check out the issue to verify that I have it right. If so, it is something to think about. I also recall a fellow here or on the Bolger Yahoo group saying, once, that he'd bought plans for a smaller craft and tried many times without success to have questions answered. If so, yet another thing to think about.

Nevertheless, I hope that Parker keeps on writing and designing and building! And if this is anything like 'feedback' for him, then all the greater for his future. I do wish him well. Very well.

[RodB]

I too like many of Mr. Parker's designs and plan on building a sharpie some day for playing around in shallow waters.

I'm in the process of having Mr. Parker do a preliminary drawing and then completing a design using his Exuma 36 as a starting point (a bit smaller) for a shoal draft gaff/tops'l cutter rigged Presto type of shallow water sailboat.. see posting on ["interested parties on building presto type "utilis"...]

I have e-mailed him several times and talked to him by phone a few times. Yes, he is busy and does not like to spend lots of time discussing designs, etc but he is very knowledgable and quite opinionated. On e-mails I have always wished he had answered more of my questions. His opinions have been formed from lots of personal experience and from my experience he has several reasons for any decision or recommendation he makes. The truth of the matter is that designers cannot afford to educate all of us and they do spend lots of time just to sell one set of plans especially if the design is an expensive one to build.

I think his communication for the past few years has been slow mainly due to illness but he is well now. I will be posting the design I decide to build once its finished. I'm hoping to get a modernized "Presto" type of cruiser with good performance and a reasonable safety factor for crossing the Gulf Stream.

I must say the the conversations with him were very informative and enlightening.

RB

[brian.cunningham]

I look forward to you future posts.

I've always liked his designs.
I especially like how he designs the interiors around centerboards.

[Mark Van]

I am also a big fan, my boats construction method was influenced by his book. I was impressed by the 50 foot power sharpie in WB 180, I do think the interior accomodations could be better, and the polot house could be simplified without hurting the looks much. I don't see any reason for not having the front of the pilot house vertical. The article mentioned that if it had a bowthruster, it needed to be retractible. The second version of my Mark V 39 had a bowthruster in a tube installed. Brad added "eyebrows" to keep it from cavitating, and he claims it works well. (in a flat bottomed boat, the tube has to be very close to the waterline).I have not seen details of the eyebrows yet. I may add a bowthruster to my boat, it would be very handy.