I haven't gone camp-cruising in the Shellback, but have done so in her slightly bigger sister, the Pooduck Skiff, and she is indeed rock solid when fully laden with camping gear. One of my buddies cruises quite extensively in his Shellback and he swears by her. These really are excellent hull forms.

You are correct - mine is a homemade adaptation. The boom helps with windward performance (helps centre the foot of the sail, which despite its quadrilateral nature the gunter main resembles a marconi sail enough to gain the benefit). The boom is also useful when running in a strong breeze, where a boomless sail can take on an alarming "death roll" which can lead to broaching (I once experienced this on a sprit-rigged sharpie I built). I believe (but cannot prove!) that the Yankee also helps her windward performance. Also, I think the rig looks good, and it's a lot of fun to play with the strings! Mind, I have yet to measure my sail angles, but still, my subjective impression is that this configuration works well. Even off the wind this rig offers advantages, and when conditions are right it's fun to get the two headsails wing-n-wing on a downwind run, which she does readily. This summer I am planning to try her without the bowsprit and boom, to see how she does in her native configuration. Will likely prove advantageous at the ramp when rigging.

@@jackrabbit5047 thanks for the detailed response. That makes a lot of sense. I have just acquired a Drascombe Lugger and, assuming it floats, I will probably do a little tinkering. Windward performance is most important to me, so I will be watching you and others. A margarine tub will go downwind, but upwind is an art and is needed to get me around in Orkney. Happy sailing.

It protrudes about two feet.

It was fun, but a bit scary on the down wind legs with the bow so low. K. took a lot of water on the chin, LOL.

Good idea. Will do. Thanks.

Like a good hoss she followed her owners, LOL. Actually, she will likely be headed back to the T-Islands in the next couple of years.

Ah, the vicissitudes of life, friend. But at least we have her back!

I bought the bronze "sliding" pintle set (not sure if that's what it's called) from Woodenboat - it allows the rudder to slide up a bit if you whack into something. My buddy, who also has a Shellback, modified his with a CB and a pivoting rudder. Still waiting to hear about his sea trials, LOL. Make sure everything is through-bolted as opposed to just set with wood screws.

@@jackrabbit5047 ok thanks I was in particular thinking about just the tiller itself being able to swing up out of the way while sailing and then lower back to its rest on the rudder head without the called for ips fitting lifting out of the notch. Like your videos nice taste in boats I'm a former A30 owner

You are correct on all points. The Seapearl was the fastest boat to rig I've ever owned. Filling the water ballast was easy, too.

Hi she's on A dock.

@@jackrabbit5047 thanks. I was there today. Beautifully cared for. Hoping to reach that level. I really like the solar arch. If you have & don’t mind sharing specs I’d like to replicate for my #609.

Thank you. Not sure, but I'm 6'3" and fit quite comfortably.

Thank you. Topnotch was a bit pricey for us in Canada so she sourced a winter cover fabric from a local supplier - link to the product we used as follows: jtsoutdoorfabrics.com/Winter-Boat-Cover-Fabric_c_4441.html

I think it is feasible, but not sure you need it, especially if there are built-in chambers for'd and aft. Mine is per plans, but I have another boat with this configuration and it floated reasonably high in a capsize test.

Thanks for the kind words. The Drascombe is factory gelcote, I believe they call the colour aquamarine.

@@jackrabbit5047 Thank you.

Thanks. Plans from Woodenboat store (Pooduck Skiff). The sails are a cream colour and made of a type of Dacron called Oceanus - a bit more expensive but worth it IMO, as it looks more like trad canvas.

Another nice combination for these trad designs is to get an Oceanus main and contrasting jib in tanbark- very "workboat"-like (which suits these designs).

Excellent! Thank you. I’m also wondering what your finishing process was for the interior? And, have you sailed her and would you recommend installing from aft cargo to mid ship?

Can I ask you what it cost to build? I’m trying to establish a budget. I’m guessing around $6000 Canadian. I’m from Edmonton.

Thank you.

I'll bet. Will be a low water year, too.

​@@jackrabbit5047 Yeah definitely, at least for the local melt. I wonder if they have below-normal snowpack up in the Ottawa river headwaters, north of Temiscaming.

Good advice, thanks.

Oh, yeahhhh....wanna race?

Thank you, she's 12'10".

You won't be disappointed.

You get to know your boat and how she behaves. This one is actually remarkably stable.

You couldn't ask for better company!

Alas, no, and she's all bundled for winter.

My buddy uses a Minn Kota (I think 55 lbs thrust?), and he tells me it meets all his needs for getting in and out of harbour as well as doing some distance travelling (e.g., five or so miles) - not sure what battery capacity he has, but I do know it is a small-ish lithium battery. Pushes his Paceship 23 (which weighs around 3000 lbs, I believe) at a good 3 knots.

Some day I'll stop being lazy and make a set of oars, LOL.

Yes, wind for once!

Thank you. Yes, we still have her there. The chief advantage with the boarding ladder configuration with the split rail is that it makes it very easy to climb up and step onto the aft deck. A prime consideration is to make the gap wide enough to accommodate your hips.

@@jackrabbit5047 will keep that in mind. The support for the solar panel looks simple but sturdy. If you don’t mind I would appreciate looking at the set up sometime. We have had our boat in the North Channel for the last several years but plan on bringing her back to Lake Ontario next year.

The mast is an aluminum tube (3.5" diameter) with 1/4 inch thick walls. The aluminum struts that comprise what we affectionately know as the "spider" (a.k.a. mast partners) are plenty strong, and he's been out in all kinds of conditions. Of course, it's easy to avoid stressing the mast with a junk rig by simply collapsing a panel when the wind pipes up.