Bearboats anybody

[floatingkiwi]

What are the opinions, be they professional or personal,on the Bearboat.
Have they proved themselves as safe cruising boats or do they hold some mysterious unattractive qualities.
Perhaps there are not enough of them made to establish a name for themselves.
Has anyone here owned, or does own one?
How do they compare to the folkboat?
Any feedback would be appreciated

[Larks]

One of these?:

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii11/Larks_01/darwin-beer-can-regatta7.jpg

Oh.....bear.........:D

[floatingkiwi]

Typical mad aussie. I don't suppose you have heard of one mate. They are local to SF bay area and there were, I think, only about 70 made.

[Larks]

No I haven't - bareboats and beerboats...but not bearboats

[floatingkiwi]

bareboats?

[Larks]

as in bareboat yacht charters:D ie hire/charter a yacht without any crew and crew it yourself - (not really a type of boat:o)

[P.L.Lenihan]

Our host has a nice article about them in some past issue.check out their index.

Peter

[P.L.Lenihan]

Bear class, San Francisco: cover photo/Jay Daniel, 50:0

Bear class, San Francisco: history, photos, 50:34

Beardsley Bill: comments on P-class JOYANT, 169:52

CHANCE (Bear class): Master Mariners Regatta 1997, photo, 138:40

Daniel, Jay, photographer: cover photo/Bear class, 50:0

Nunes Brothers Boat and Ways Company, builder: Bear class, 50:34

San Francisco Bear class: cover photo/Jay Daniel, 50:0

San Francisco Bear class: history, photos, 50:34

San Francisco Bear class: Master Mariners Regatta 1997, photos, 138:40

[floatingkiwi]

Who IS our host and what do I do with these titles you have posted?

[StevenBauer]

WoodenBoat Magazine. The numbers are the issue and page number. I think you can download back issues now from the WoodenBoat Store.

You can find back issues on ebay, too. I bought an almost complete set for $1.50 an issue.

Steven

[bamamick]

They are a very wholesome looking boat. Built by the Nunes Brothers yard (a yard of good repute), they are probably under rigged for a lot of the country, but for the Bay area they are no doubt set up just right.

The Bear, the Bird, the Knarr, the IOD, and the Folkboat used to form the WYRA of San Francisco. When I was a lad I used to see the photos and dream of sailing in that fleet one day (on a Knarr). That much wood in one place just had to be a magical thing.

If I had to take a wild guess I'd say that the Bear and the Bird fell back somewhat because both the Folkboat and the Knarr are faster and more lively and we are talking about racing, after all. I think that the Bear class is pretty cool, and I wouldn't mind having one.

Mickey Lake

[S.V. Airlie]

One thing about bearboats is that they hibernate in the winter. Actually even bears don't really hibernate but most people think they do.;)

[floatingkiwi]

WoodenBoat Magazine. The numbers are the issue and page number. I think you can download back issues now from the WoodenBoat Store.

You can find back issues on ebay, too. I bought an almost complete set for $1.50 an issue.

Steven


Oh, of course, our host. Sorry for my missing that, duh.
When you say an almost complete set. How many was that, or perhaps, how many are there?

[floatingkiwi]

One thing about bearboats is that they hibernate in the winter. Actually even bears don't really hibernate but most people think they do.;)
You appear quite the authority on the subject.
Yeah, I have seen bears walkin around in the snow at altitudes I wouldn't even think they would go and they didn't look the slightest bit sleepy to me. I think if there is a reliable food source, like human leftovers, they would rather risk being shot at, than go nighty nights.

[StevenBauer]

When you say an almost complete set. How many was that, or perhaps, how many are there?

Well, the current issue is #207....;)


I already had from about 1990 on, so my ebay deal was for most of the first 100 issues. Unfortunately, I've lost the list of my missing (15 or so) issues. :( I've got to go through the whole pile again. And that takes way longer than you might think. There are thousands of articles just waiting to sidetrack you. :D:eek:


Steven

[S.V. Airlie]

You appear quite the authority on the subject.
Yeah, I have seen bears walkin around in the snow at altitudes I wouldn't even think they would go and they didn't look the slightest bit sleepy to me. I think if there is a reliable food source, like human leftovers, they would rather risk being shot at, than go nighty nights.

It is amazing what Wlldlife Biologists know...

Now there is a Nightjar in the SW (US) that truly does hibernate. Couldn't wake one up if you use Nitro.. Respiration, umm,, something like once every four minutes and body temp.. Way lower than mine.

Something that really does hibernate.

[Robbie 2]

[quote=S.V. Airlie;2113370]One thing about bearboats is that they hibernate in the winter.

I thought this was a characteristic of all Northern Hemisphere boats:eek:
Looking at the Winter photos you Northern Forumites post it seems that way anyway.:D
Regards
Robbie

[floatingkiwi]

Well so much for the bearboat then, eh?

[RFNK]

Kerry
Try this, you won't be sorry:

http://www.sfbayfolkboats.org/SeaRoom.html

There's a bear in there ....

Rick

[floatingkiwi]

Cool. yeah I watched,(some of), that video when I first got the folkboat, but none of it was the slightest bit as useful or interesting as it is now. I own a boat in that video!!

[Ted Hoppe]

I crew sometimes on a well maintained Bear (Huck Finn).
The class reflects simple sailing, classic lines and designed to take it hard on the nose SF bay conditions. Fractionally rigged is quite sensible. Piped berths and reasonable storage makes for a good weekend off the hook. A 4hp outboard is plenty to push them through most tidal changes, when the wind stops near angel island or get out of the shipping lanes.

The bears where a class that was active from the depression to almost the mid 80's (at the Master Mariners regatta there can be as many as 8 to 10 boats).

There is told of a bold guy who recently sailed a refitted one from San Francisco to the sea of Cortez - Cabo... possibly back too!

Bear owners generally love to get other people out on their boat. Go to the yahoo group to get a ride or the low down.

BTW: There is one or two right now that would love to go to a new home - for low or free if you promise to keep em actively here. A recent lean sale got no bidders on a old beauty.

nice group. sweet boats. ideal smaller wooden weekender for SF Bay.