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Modified CLC Skerry Sailing & Rowing Cruising Dinghy - $6,500
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When I bought it I completely refurbished the boat, and built a new all carbon rig, with new balanced lug sail. I used the boat for many years for local day adventures around Port Townsend, and enjoyed her very much.
Then I decided it would be interesting to see if I could convert the boat into a mini-cruising boat, capable of multi-day adventures, such as the Salish 100.
I made three big changes:
1. I wanted more reserve buoyancy in case of capsize. So I decked her, and added some coamings. She has tons of buoyancy now, and although I have not done a capsize test, she will be easy to recover from a capsize, with practice.
2. I wanted more comfort sailing, so I added little side bench seats.
3. I wanted to be able to sleep aboard at anchor with some level of comfort and safety. So I moved the daggerboard off center, allowing me to sleep on the floor, with a cockpit tent. Opening up the center-line of the boat also proved to be wonderful for moving about the boat for reefing, etc.
The results, along with a few additional organizational additions, have proven to be very successful. She is indeed a very minimal, yet capable little cruising boat.
You can have fun day sailing, or just rowing. Or go cruising for a few days, and either pull the boat up on shore and sleep in a tent on the hard, or sleep on the boat at anchor. This is a much safer boat the that vast majority of small day sailors, because you can self-recover from a capsize.
Because of the improved NACA foils, she sails much better into the wind than the original version, even with the board off center on the bottom.
Even loaded with a week of camping gear she still rows at an easy 3.5 mph, and sails even better with all the ballast. This rowing speed is one of the great benefits of a small, lightweight rowing boat. I have rowed her over 16 miles in a day more than once.
I am a fairly experienced small boat builder with plywood epoxy boats, and currently work full time doing boat and gear repairs at the Northwest Maritime Center. The changes I made to the boat only increased the weight of the boat by about 20-25 lbs, and the modifications have been proven successful over a number of cruises.
John Harris, the designer of the original Chesapeak Lightcraft Skerry, watched the build report of my modifications, and later had this to say about my changes: “I endorse your thoughtful design mods without reservation. I’ve seen a lot of modified Skerries, including some that made my eyes roll, but your retrofits are practical and well executed.” – John C. Harris
The full story of all the modifications I have made, and pictures and stories of different adventures I have taken her on, can be found on my website: https://www.insidewaters.com/category/clc-skerry-details/
https://www.insidewaters.com/category/clc-skerry-adventures/
Compared to a stock CLC Skerry, Joy is one of a kind. She remains very lightweight, and has very lightweight custom made carbon fiber spars. The sail was designed with by Micheal Storer for this boat, was built by his company Really Simple Sails. It is in excellent condition, and has two reef points. Joy has high-tech, low stretch control lines, and premium hardware. The sail can be raised and lowered, and the downhaul tension adjusted, without leaving your seat in the stern. The open center-line of the boat is simply fantastic for keeping your weight down low when moving about the boat, and reefing the sail. It is a major improvement over the stock layout.
The boat would be suitable for a smaller person, 5'8" or shorter, and physically mobile. The sleeping area is intentionally a bit snug, so will not fig a larger person without modifications.
Can you do the Salish 100 in Joy? - absolutely - that was what she was redesigned for
Can you do the Washington 360 in Joy? - probably, if you are a skilled dinghy sailor, like a bit of suffering, and time your big water crossings for good weather
Can you do the Race to Alaska in Joy? - I would not recommend it at all
Includes custom fit Trailex aluminum trailer
Includes 8' Spruce oars with custom lead weights in handles for better balance.
Includes camping tent
Why am I selling Joy? I just bought a Caledonia Yawl, which will give me more stable sailing as I am getting a bit older. I am also building a new dedicated rowboat that is about 2 weeks away from launching. So I need to thin the fleet.
The boat will be in the Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival, on Sept 5-7, unless purchased before then.
$6,500 (if purchased by Sept 3, before the festival)
$7,000 (during the festival - and you won't be able to take it home until after the festival on the 7th)