Bear-Class boat

[Peter Jacobs]

Reading an old Wb magazine (#50) about the "Bear" class boats of San Fransico Bay.
Looks like a nice clean design. Does anyone know anything about these boats? My search on the WB forum didn't turn up anything http://media5.hypernet.com/~dick/ubb/frown.gif
-Peter-

[mmd]

WoodenBoat No. 50 had an article on them.

[Keith Wilson]

See the class website at: http://www.bearboats.com/

They're still pretty common on San Francisco Bay; I looked at several when I first moved there before I bought my Thunderbird (boat, not car). Many were, shall we say, frugally built. 50 years in salt water is hard on galvanized fastenings, and the bay is hard on old boats in general, particularly those that are raced. Bears are great little boats though, at least in their natural environment where it blows like crazy. I can't see one on Long Island Sound in summer though, not without a good motor. Plans are available for not much money, if I remember correctly.


[This message has been edited by Keith Wilson (edited 07-27-2001).]

[Nicholas Carey]

Originally posted by Peter Jacobs:
Reading an old Wb magazine (#50) about the "Bear" class boats of San Fransico Bay.
Looks like a nice clean design. Does anyone know anything about these boats? My search on the WB forum didn't turn up anything http://media5.hypernet.com/~dick/ubb/frown.gif
-Peter-

the Bear Trust used to (I don't know if they still do) lease Bears for $US 1/yr to someone who would maintain them properly. Probably only to people in the Bay area, though. But I've heard they're great boats.

[Peter Jacobs]

Thanks for the web site address, Keith. It made enjoyable Saturday morning reading. Seems the Bear is quite a neat little boat.
I'm going to dig around to see if plans are still available.

-Peter-

[Bob Cleek]

Bear plans should be available. Lots of Bears here on the Bay. Great boats with a good class association that has been around since 1931. The Bear association president, as of 2000, was Tomo McCarthy, 1898 Leavenworth St., San Francisco, CA 94109, phone: 415.567.2696. Their secretary is Marty Zwick, 10 Hawthorne St., San Francisco, CA 94105, phone: 415.546.0505 There are about 32 boats active in the association. Bears come up for sale fairly regularly. There is a fellow in San Rafael making a business of restoring them these days. You can connect with him by calling Matt Butler, the Harbormaster of the San Rafael Yacht Harbor at 415.456.1600

Hope that helps!

[Peter Jacobs]

Thanks, Bob, great information. I'll follow up on your leads!

-Peter-