Lyle Hess plans - How can I order?

[Korcula]

I am looking to purchase plans for "Serrafyn" the 24 foot cutter. The contact in the Pardeys latest 25th Aniverssary edition of the first Serrafyn book has contact details but they are not correct. I heard Mr Hess has been confined to a rest home. But there must be a way to order the plans?! Someone must have taken over the business. Any info greatly appreciated.

[S/V Sequel]

Several years ago Lyle's daughter (Linda DeCoux) had control of the plans; phone #310 595 7923. I believe also she received mail for Lyle at:
Lyle C. Hess
5911 E. Spring St. #360
Long Beach, CA 90808
This is not the address for the retirement home where Lyle is/was.
Also, you may get help from Bill and Elaine Eppick @ Skye Boat Works, 225 Loftus Rd., Port Townsend WA 98368 (phone 360 385 5484). They help me a lot when I was looking into this. They have built a "32", and I believe they will know where Linda is if not at the above address/phone info.
Hope this helps.

[Paul Griffin]

The phone number that I contacted them with was 562-595-7923.
Hope this helps.
Paul

[Paul Griffin]

Korcula
Please let me know what the plans are like when you get them. I plan on ordering the 24' plans also. Buy the way, they are $500 US for those plans.

Paul

[Korcula]

Yeah, you could be right Paul. The number in the Pardey book is 562-595-8923 instead of -7923, so maybe its a misprint in the book.

[oceangoddess]

Why?

Although this is a pretty boat, and has been immortalized by the Pardeys - it is a slow, VERY WET boat. That plumb stem guarantees that pounding into weather will ensure you getting drenched.

There are other versions of the pilot cutter that would be far more appropriate for sailing in more comfort. Do some research - don't just fall in love with a design that someone else has written a lot about.

And wouldn't you like to be able to stand up inside?

[ken mcclure]

Hee-hee! BLASPHEMY, miss p! :D

Korcula, an example of another designer to examine would be Paul Gartside (http://www.gartsideboats.com).

There are a few that do that style of boat. Bingham would be another ... there used to be plans for a wooden version of the Flicka around. A bit smaller, but nice headroom.

And then theres the Maid of Endor ... less headroom but I drool over the design anyway.

[S/V Sequel]

I wonder if "miss P" would clarify her characterization of the Hess design as slow. What other boats of this water line is she comparing, and were they designed for the same use. What personal experience (ownership, days sailing, research) prompts her to make such an assertion.
Granted my hackles are up but I will bow to documented knowledge or experience, and promise to learn from it.

[Thaddeus J. Van Gilder]

you know, when I was at the annapolis sailboat show the other year I was on both Talison (misppelled) and Serafyn.

I could stand up in both...

Maybe I am just short, but I also stand up in the 34' pilot cutter I am working on...

[ken mcclure]

Taliesin. (FYI)

[paladin]

SLOW..........A friendly wager says I.....and how be your boat on the waterline matey?????? :D :D :D

[oceangoddess]

Oh boy - I sure walked into that one.

OK Sequel: experience. Dad was a wooden boat builder and ocean racer, contemporary of Erroll Bruce, Gatehouse of B&G fame, Adlard Coles (Heavy Weather Sailing), Francis Chichester, Laurent Giles, etc. etc. We grew up sailing, from 8' prams, OK dinghies, crewing on ocean races in England. I'm a professional woodworker and have owned several boats, all woodies. Two of them I restored, one I've almost built, sailed all of them in all sorts of weather, primarily on the west coast of Canada, both in and outside the Strait of Georgia, in all sorts of wonderful and very not so wonderful weather. Down here we have three boats, race two of them (I drive) and do a lot of skippered charters.

Because of my long experience with boats, I've had several pals ask for advice when looking for boats. I've sailed three 24' LH on sea trials (actually two, one of them twice), and have friends on Vancouver Island who had one for a few years. I think its slower than necessary and very wet. That's my opinion. I don't have all sorts of research to back that up, or statistics, but I know when I'm getting drenched pounding to weather.

Sure there are boats that look gorgeous, probably because we all drool over traditional designs. We have friends down here who have a gaff rigged wood schooner called Lifey P. Baker. Looks like a dream - sails like a slug. That's what turns them on. Not me - I love to go fast.

My 26' Atkin sloop (Fiona I) which I restored was a dream - no room inside but would sail through anything - I'd take her out on days when no one would leave Vancouver harbor - she loved 35 knot winds and the spoon bow prevented all that H2O coming on board. And she looked beautiful too.

Paul Gartside actually did some preliminary drawings for me before I found Fiona II in bare hull condition - would have been a beautiful boat to build - and sail.

I suppose its whatever turns you on. If the look is more important - more power to you. I am first and foremost a sailor - hopefully within 5 years Capt. Mike and I will be gone, for a long time. Fiona II is beautiful and elicits admiring glances and remarks down here in plastic land, but I know she is also sea worthy and fast, which is very important when you put your life in her hands.

So - I wasn't meaning to put anyone or anything down - just my opinion. Lots of those around here, eh?

[Doug Hoople]

You go, girl! Nice to hear a dose of the good stuff from time to time.

BTW, correcting responder, it's Taleisin, not Taliesin. We've got a
perfect Taleisin replica here in our harbor. Looks gorgeous, never
goes out, although I don't think that the one has anything to do with
the other, just the predilections of the owner.

And finally, to the original poster, you might look up Roger Olson, past
president of the Sam L. Morse company. Prior to his SLM tenure, he
rebuilt Serrafyn. He'd know about various paths to the plans and might
have more to add to the Serrafyn story as well. Long story, but I spent
some time corresponding with him a couple of months back on a
completely unrelated topic, and he seems a generous and warm guy.
Don't have his email offhand, but you can probably find it on
the Sam L Morse site. If not, write me, and I'll look it up.

[ken mcclure]

Yep. Your spelling is correct. Typo. My keyboard does that to me alot. I called the tech department and asked them why, and they told me it's the nut in front of the keyboard. But I can't find it! :eek:

[Albie]

Capt. Mike must be a lucky man. It's easier to spell:"Shining brow".