Whilly Boat vs. Navigator

[Doug Canada]

Greeting I would have to admit that my knownledge of sailing and sailboat design is long lost in my youth. But none the less it is again a building love interest.

I find I am draw to both John Welsford's "Navigator" and Iain Oughtred's "Whilly Tern".

Navigator, http://www.jwboatdesigns.co.nz/plans/navigator/index.htm

Whilly Tern, http://www.classicmarine.co.uk/details.asp?Name=Whilly+Tern

I am looking for input in their "pros" and "cons" in both construction and sailing?

My primary uses will be;
-daysailing with a trailer
-Canadian Great Lake sailing (fresh water)
-two people
-non racing
-easy set up & take down
-beachable

Thank you,
Doug

.

[Thorne]

You don't mention aux power -- Navigator will take an outboard easily, Whilly Tern won't.

Without carefully studying the plans, Navigator seems to be more of an all-around multi-purpose sailboat, wheras Whilly is more of a trad-based showpiece with the pulling boat heritage very obvious.

I LOVE the double-ender shape and have been very tempted by them, but in the end "real boating" requirements will probably push me towards Navigator or other boats that can easily take a small outboard -- with that smelly, noisy thing not in a well or mounted in the cockpit by cutting funny-shaped holes in the hull.

I don't like coming back to harbor at the end of a towline. (and I have SO been there!)

[ 03-04-2006, 10:31 AM: Message edited by: Thorne ]

[casem]

I'd say the Navigator would be a more capable boat just based on size alone. The extra 10" on the beam and the fact that it has a transom rather than the Whilly Tern's double ender makes a big difference in interior volume. Also Thorne is right about the outboard. You would have to build a well within the Whilly Tern. On the other hand, you'd have a much easier time rowing the Whilly Tern so you probably wouldn't want an outboard anyway. With the lug rig, it would probably be faster to trailer than the Navigator.

[ 03-05-2006, 07:46 AM: Message edited by: casem ]