Blue Moon Yawl [Archive] - The WoodenBoat Forum

rufustr

04-04-2007, 09:27 PM

I'm not sure where to put this thread so I'll put it here.
The other night, while trawling the internet for photos etc. of Thomas Gilmer's Blue Moon Yawl, I came across an interesting post to a blog.
A gentleman is apparently in the final stages of his build of a Blue Moon here in Brisbane.
I won't give any of his details as I don't have his permission to.
He seems to be a friendly sort of bloke.
He has been building for 8 years in a shed in his backyard.
He has demolished the shed and is a week or two away from launching.
I think this involves a crane lift over his house.
He lives 20K. (13 miles) from the water.
I have made an appointment to see the boat on Saturday.
I hope to take some photos of the boat, and if he agrees, I'll post them here.
I'll let you all know how I get on.

http://www.woodenboatstore.com/images/400059.JPG

TimH

04-05-2007, 12:48 AM

I was crazy about that design when I was a kid :-)

rufustr

04-08-2007, 10:30 PM

These are the photos I took of the Blue Moon Yawl.
The owner has done an amazing job.
The workmanship and attention to detail with every aspect of the boat is outstanding.
It is a work of art.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/pf3108bd04e228e266893ed5f40d730d1/ea01d469.jpghttp://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/pbc98659e6085313cb5f9fd068cfdf20f/ea01c0ec.jpghttp://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/p03f449410dce788ccb172a03bcd9a09d/ea01bec1.jpghttp://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/pa7421d602acf87b6b19f317d90c4b90c/ea01bde9.jpg (javascript:viewExifData())

rbgarr

04-08-2007, 10:55 PM

A Boat for Bernadette!

Paul Pless

04-08-2007, 11:01 PM

The boat's a real beauty from your pictures.:) Its a design I've always liked.

I'll let you all know how I get on.
So how'd you get on with the builder? From your first post I assumed him to be quite shy about sharing his project.

rufustr

04-09-2007, 12:09 AM

The builder is a great bloke and I ended up spending nearly two hours with him.
He and I share a similar working background.
I think he might have been a bit amazed that someone would go to that much effort to find him.
I don't think he is shy or reserved, I think he probably hasn't attracted any attention tucked away in his shed in the back streets.
The area he lives in doesn't have any through traffic.
He has agreed that I post some details of his boat here.
I am about to send him some links to this site so that he can see this thread.
I have sent details to Bernadette as the hull is the one her father built for this owner before they started Decatur.
The photos don't do justice to the quality of the work that has gone into this boat.

Bernadette

04-09-2007, 03:38 AM

dad will be pleased to know she has been finished off well.
i will let him know to have a look at the pictures here.

JimD

04-09-2007, 03:47 AM

Blue Moon reminds me a bit of Atkin's Maid of Endor, not so much in appearance but in the sense that they both appear to be scaled down versions of much bigger boats. Looking at their lines it's easy to forget how small they really are. Another thread on Blue Moon cautioned that there are an awful lot of strings to pull for such a small boat but one supposes that's part of the fun and reason for building one.

rufustr

04-09-2007, 04:39 AM

Some one else here drew an analogy I can understand.
If you love driving you don't drive down the freeway, you find a winding mountain road.
A boat like this is all about the character and all the strings to pull.

rufustr

05-05-2007, 11:18 PM

I have had a trip to Tassie for the Targa and driven back to Brisbane in a mates TR3A since my last post.
Had a trip on a paddle steamer at Echuca on the way back.

I was at the launching of the Blue Moon during the week.
Just a lovely thing.

A friend of the owner present at the launch has a Lyle Hess designed 24 foot Serafyn he has built himself.

As a result of talking to these gentlemen I am revising downwards the size of the boat I will build as I don't want to spend the rest of my life building and no time sailing.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/p81639bf0c8e97cfd48c37b20d8e9bf56/e9a3527d.jpg (javascript:viewExifData())http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/p1e82e6d899bc98f01ac23352c5de4540/e9a3523a.jpg (javascript:viewExifData())http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/pf3ae31066265dc8353fcc3d3cc6c2e5e/e9a35208.jpg (javascript:viewExifData())http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/p741aa89f1f720541a61c5b9bdc2d3835/e9a351bf.jpg (javascript:viewExifData())http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/p4501d68fa0a6248d5842154e9658deed/e9a3516e.jpg (javascript:viewExifData())

donald branscom

05-05-2007, 11:43 PM

WOW ! What a beautiful boat !!!

rufustr

05-06-2007, 12:31 AM

More photos, on the road and into the water.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/pce571c30827bd9464e88dda689f019b9/e9a35123.jpg (javascript:viewExifData())http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/p7e2abb4a3856236b491f3170d5906e49/e9a350d8.jpg (javascript:viewExifData())http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/p0d13aa6a1da53e9a135421e51efc39e3/e9a350a2.jpg (javascript:viewExifData())http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/p623606819af31f93f2129ee3b0c825a8/e9a3504d.jpg (javascript:viewExifData())http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/peb4b5577d9a056b6c25f69aec3196d88/e9a34fef.jpg (javascript:viewExifData())http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/pe9f7e3bc4430110f806b1cd2dc08b17f/e9a34e47.jpg (javascript:viewExifData())

rufustr

05-06-2007, 12:35 AM

Stepping the mast.
Words cannot convey the beauty of this boat.
I hope the pictures do.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/pd57c94b32dccfe226a6910d2d2df5f99/e9a34df5.jpg (javascript:viewExifData())http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/pe83edee2ca38b3714c942f1a114238f1/e9a34dc1.jpg (javascript:viewExifData())http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/p4a07954a009820ab87904d0e77d3c3c0/e9a34d92.jpg (javascript:viewExifData())

Wiley Baggins

05-06-2007, 01:46 AM

Words cannot convey the beauty of this boat.
I hope the pictures do.

They certainly do! Thank you!

Bernadette

05-06-2007, 09:02 AM

congratulations to mark. the boat sure looks good.

rbgarr

05-06-2007, 09:37 AM

In that size and spirit of design I've always like Winthrop Warner's TYPHOON: http://tinyurl.com/34kyez

rufustr

05-08-2007, 04:09 AM

Hopefully in a week or two I will have some sailing photos.
Mark is being careful with his progress,and making sure everything works as it should.

sandingblock

05-08-2007, 04:44 AM

If you get a chance take some close ups of some of the details. The boat looks outstanding.

05-08-2007, 08:53 PM

A magnificent job, the Pardey's would be impressed I reckon.

StevenBauer

05-08-2007, 10:02 PM

Wow, she's a stunner! Thanks for posting these pics.

Steven

PeterSibley

05-09-2007, 05:17 AM

I look forward to seeing her down on Moreton Bay ! Lovely indeed !

Wild Dingo

05-09-2007, 06:15 AM

Simply stunning... thanks for the pics mate!! :cool:

You said Bernadettes dad had a hand in the building of the hull? Man that blokes got talent seriously... and I bet hes as pleased as punch that its done and in the water :cool:

Anyone else notice the footwear? :D :D Ahhh Aussies you gotta love us ;) barefoot in everything we do :cool:

Congrats to Mark for such a stunning job well done!! :cool:

ishmael

05-09-2007, 06:49 AM

Blue Moon is a very pretty boat. But I've often thought, if you are going to build it, why not something just a bit bigger? A place to stand up and pull your pants on. But, you can't argue much with that beauty.

rufustr

05-09-2007, 05:36 PM

Ishmael,

You have summed up my dilemma when it comes to boat size.
If you don't intend to live aboard for more than a few days at a time
then this boat will have enough room.
Brisbane has a benign subtropical climate, so a boom tent will provide heaps of extra room at anchor.
The sheer beauty of the boat is what its all about though, and I just can't wait to see her under sail.

Rufus.

rufustr

05-15-2007, 03:25 AM

Bump to keep this up til I get some sailing photos.

classicboats turkiye

05-20-2007, 07:05 PM

Hii to everyone Blue Moon lovers from Istanbul Turkey. After discovering this magnificent desing of Mr.Thomas Gilmer, with my friend we falled in love and we decided to buid two sister Blue Moon. After receving the new photos from Rufustr we'll order the plans. I tried to reach Mike from another forum www.intheboatshed.com (http://www.intheboatshed.com) . Certainly we would like that Mike share with us his experiences about building process and her sailing performances. We hope to start in September and the launching probably in April 2008

roberto calich

05-24-2007, 04:17 AM

Dear Clasicboats Turkiye,
I read tour post. Are you going to build the Blue Moons At Istanbul?
Can we contact please personaly at roberto@robertocalich.com?

ishmael

05-24-2007, 06:59 AM

Rufustr,

If I were building this type of boat, just me and I'm no expert, I'd be looking at Giles' Vertue. It's just a smidge bigger, and I don't know the propietary stuff about getting ahold of plans. The masthead rig, not the gaff. Personal prejudice.

It's a great little boat of the type, and you can stand up in it if you are under six foot.

Hesp

05-26-2007, 09:24 AM

Superb!!

Hesp

05-26-2007, 02:54 PM

Anybody got any more links to good Blue Moons?

John

Clyderigged

05-26-2007, 03:02 PM

Stunning - thanks for the photos. Please more !!!

Clutha Fecit,
Jamie

rufustr

06-05-2007, 12:05 AM

ishmael

06-05-2007, 12:36 AM

Glad people still have a bit of sense and taste.

Blue Moon! Just look at that form. It's a marvelous shape. Just a bit bigger and Bob's your uncle.

Billy Atkin was little, only stood 5'8" That stature influenced his designs. Six foot under the doghouse isn't that important when you are five eight. I know the designer of this yawl isn't Atkin, just an observation.

Giles' Vertue. That's what I'd build if I were so inclined. I don't think anyone has come up with a better 25 foot boat.

JimJ

07-15-2007, 02:54 AM

Rufustr

Thanks for telling me about this thread on Saturday. I don't know how it got past me.

The boat is simply stunning.

Like the setting she was built in, Brisbane bush.

JimJ

07-15-2007, 03:18 AM

Ish the Vertue is a beautiful boat and I've always admired it but for room and simplicity, I'll stick with mine...even if she is shy of 25 feet by 6 inches.
Just looking at the Blue Moon photos again...you've got to admire her and the work the owner has put in. If I built something like that I'd die happy.

Larks

08-03-2007, 05:28 AM

No sailing photos yet, but a good story to tell.

Went down to the marina with my wife for breakfast out on the jetty on Sunday morning.
Run into a mate of mine who has an Etchell and races regularly, and his wife, and we had breakfast together.
We then walked out on the jetty to where the owner of the Blue Moon was in the marina getting ready to go out sailing with his family.
We went in and had a chat and then walked back out to the end of the jetty.
There were a dozen or so people standing out there watching the parade of boats going out for a race in the bay that morning.
All these people were standing in silence watching this parade of assorted yachts go past.
The Blue Moon turned the corner to enter the channel and come past the end of the pier, and the group started applauding and continued to do so as Mark and his boat came past.
We didn't instigate the applause but we certainly joined in.

I think it's fantastic that these people were moved enough by the beauty of this little boat to spontaneously applaud.

Sailing photos soon, promise.

I saw this lovely little piece of art down at Manly a few weeks back when I bought the antithesis of her that was docked directly behind her, a very sad but sound H28 called Chindrina. (some pics of the ugly duckling on www.greglarkin.com (http://www.greglarkin.com))

I have to say that when uhming and ahhing over whether to take on the challenge of transforming the H28 this little Blue Moon was the inspiration that swung the argument. She is absolutely stunning and if I can get even half the result that her builder has achieved I will be happy.

I am surprised though that she doesn't seem to ever have any coverings over her stunning varnish work though her nakedness has been great for us rubber necks.

cheers
Larks

classicboats turkiye

09-11-2007, 04:49 PM

Dear Rufustr I think you haven't yet the sailing photos of Blue Moon

rufustr

09-22-2007, 10:24 PM

I still havn't had the opportunity to see the Blue Moon Yawl sailing, but the owner sent me these photos today.

She is a stunner.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/p9ead90b17311556093231d847b3f0720/e7b1e5d0.jpg (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:downloadOriginal%28%29)

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/p34dc8ab7722970cbbf4c6f2845a33875/e7b1e5c8.jpg (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:downloadOriginal%28%29)

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/p16c9f784a6d6fd898c65b0be311f266a/e7b1e5c7.jpg (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:downloadOriginal%28%29)

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/p8d9d7488373cf45529f956b7bee4c728/e7b1e5c4.jpg (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:downloadOriginal%28%29)

classicboats turkiye

09-23-2007, 09:34 AM

Thank you for the new photos Rufustr. She looks just I imagined. Supeeeer!!! But still we are also waiting your phootos from your eyes.

Oscarvan

09-23-2007, 12:01 PM

Stunning, and good pictures....straight out of a Ferenc Matte book....(wiping drool off mouth, shirt, pants and carpet....)

if you are going to build it, why not something just a bit bigger

Because then you end up with a 170 footer....lol. Trick is to pick a size you can visualize finishing.

Yeadon

10-23-2007, 04:49 PM

The very first Blue Moon is floating next to the Boat House at the Center for Wooden Boats in Seattle. At least, there's a historical sign on Blue Moon that implies this.

<From CWB's website>
This yawl was designed by Naval Architect Tom Gillmer for his own use about 1950. It was based on the British Falmouth Quay Punt of the 1880s. These were 20 to 30 feet long, and used as taxis off the port of Falmouth. They were fast and seaworthy with a long keel and low mast with long gaff. The Blue Moon was built in Norway in 1954. It is 23 feet on deck and displaces approximately 9,000 lbs.

Just by chance, I was down at the center a few weeks ago with my camcorder. I did a quick pan of Blue Moon, which you'll see is still a fine boat, but has seen better days.

Last night, I was uploading some video to youtube and when I remembered seeing this thread.

Here's the video. Not exactly award-winning, and it's pretty grainy (almost Zapruder-esque) but you can see the boat just fine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDQTRn63BIk

P.L.Lenihan

10-24-2007, 05:25 AM

I still havn't had the opportunity to see the Blue Moon Yawl sailing, but the owner sent me these photos today.

She is a stunner.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/p8d9d7488373cf45529f956b7bee4c728/e7b1e5c4.jpg (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:downloadOriginal%28%29)

Beautiful pictures,fine craftmenship! However, I just cannot believe that someone would actually build a fancy-dancy piknic table for the cockpit.....and to have to dismantle and store it each time...cute but over doing it some, me thinks.

Peter

rufustr

10-26-2007, 12:58 AM

Thanks for the link to the video of the Blue Moon at the centre for wooden boats.
Mark's Blue Moon has a wider cabin top which adds greatly to the internal space, and looks well balanced on his boat.
The picnic table for the cockpit is beautifully detailed, has storage niches for the components, and is erected or stowed in about a minute.
The owner and his family make good use of it.

Spin_Drift

10-26-2007, 03:03 AM

Very, very beautiful boat.

I can just imagine the satisfaction and good feeling the man has, -sailing his fine, home built boat...

classicboats turkiye

11-09-2007, 05:34 AM

FOR NEW START OF BLUE MOON PLEASE VISIT
http://www.atlanticchallenge.com/apprenticeshop/Blue%20Moon%20album_110207/album/index.html

Paul Pless

11-09-2007, 07:54 AM

Man you guys are quick!:) You just started this boat a month ago right?

keelbolts

11-09-2007, 12:24 PM

Veeerrrrrrryyyyyy nice.

classicboats turkiye

11-09-2007, 05:58 PM

Man you guys are quick!:) You just started this boat a month ago right?

No.Mr.PlessThis is another new project on USA New York. I'll post the first photos within a few weeks.

Paul Pless

11-09-2007, 06:21 PM

Oh thanks for the clarification. Looking forward to seeing your project underway.:)

Gavin Atkin

12-04-2007, 04:18 AM

Falmouth quay punt Teal is for sale in the UK, if anyone's interested. She's an old boat originally built for an artist and writer in 1914, and has quite a story to tell. http://intheboatshed.net/2007/12/03/falmouth-quay-punt-teal-brave-little-boat-for-sale/

Gav

Gavin Atkin

12-20-2007, 05:22 AM

Blue Moon fans might also like to see this:

http://tinyurl.com/ywmhbq

Gav

afbrian13

12-21-2007, 12:42 AM

a little off topic but i was in brisbane a couple months ago for work shall we say. wish i'd had time to get to the coast for some sailing, but we were only there a couple days
Brian

Ron Geisman

12-27-2007, 01:17 PM

She is absolutely stunning! Words cannot express how exquisite this boat truly is. I am partial to small boats and this is as good as it gets. Ishmael... a Vertue is also a fine, small boat (I would not trade Phoenix, V145 for any other boat), but this isn't about which design is better, it's simply about the appreciation of breathtaking beauty and the celebration of superb craftsmanship.