One of the things I just love about have this blog is that out of the blue I get an email from someone showing me another great old Knockabout type boat that I had never seen before.
In this case Bob wrote in to introduce me to the Knickerbocker One Design.
Pretty funny that I never stumbled across these sweet little boats. First off, as Bob observed, they really look like a larger version of my old Bluenose Sloop. And second they are a Sparkman & Stephens design.
Here is what little history I could scour of the web:
The Knickerbocker One Design (KOD) class was designed and built for members of the Knickerbocker Yacht Club in 1965. 18 KODs were constructed. The KOD is a comfortable one design racer with very nice daysailer comforts with a large cockpit with full seating. The interior has two berths for possible short overnight hops.
The KOD has a very powerful sail plan with a large mainsail, marginally overlapping jib with adjustable leads and a large spinnaker with full spinnaker gear. It moves along nicely in the lightest breezes and can really get up and go in stronger winds
The KOD is very seaworthy being able to sail and race in strong winds. One of the KODS was singlehanded from Port Washington, NY to Mystic Seaport.
And as always, a quick check on how the specs compare to my old Bluenose Sloop and our new Shields conversion.
The feature that I like most about these old designs is the substantial fractional rig. By that I mean a small percentage of jib area per total sail area. All three of these sailboats put up a huge amount of sail area on a working sail plan without needing a large overlapping headsail. That's my idea of sailing fun.
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4 comments:
Similar to a Quincy Adams 17 we used to "own". ( I had the use of it for a year while the owner was at sea.) Here is a good site about them
http://sailboatdata.com/VIEWRECORD.ASP?CLASS_ID=3086
Designed by Fred Goeller and very pretty. Luders 16 type of boat with a deadwood keel (not built down hull) and had a genoa.
Regards,
Tom
The pictures of the Knickerbockers are ones I took on Lake keowee SC. Mine is hull #18 and hull #6 belongs to Keith Grewe. We have 3 Knickerbockers on Lake Keowee. Unfortunately, I must sell my Knickerbocker.
...phil
And fortunately I bought it! Hull # 18 now resides on Lake Lanier GA. I'll be making some changes to simplify the running rigging for single handing, and restoring the woodwork on the boat.
She will make a great companion for my Herrehsoff Coquina.
Pics to come.
Hello,
Several years ago, I was prowling around in a boatyard in Savanna GA and found the #1 prototype Knickerbocker owned by a personal friend of Olin Stephens. She now resides with me in Va. and unfortunately is still on the cradle. Would like to trade some photos. Mine has a different bow fitting than production etc. My email is guam2250@comcast.net . Thanks, Mark
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