A Sail with Barrett click here to read or make an observation about this  article
By Owen Sinclair - Nelson, New Zealand

I had spent 10 days sailing in the Canadian San Juan Islands (as Americans call them) or the Gulf Islands (as Canadians call them). This was the result of a generous invitation from my friend Mel, to join him and some other people on two sailboats sailing in this area. In the event, some of his other friends were not able to join us and I joined Mel on Marianne’s immaculate Catalina 28. Marianne was a cheerful host and an excellent cook and we had a most enjoyable trip in an area which was entirely new to me.

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We had a most enjoyable trip in an area which was entirely new to me.

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Before leaving New Zealand I had emailed Barrett Faneuf, famous as the builder of two Navigators simultaneously, to say that I would be in the region and wondered if I might be able to see her boat. I got an enthusiastic reply encouraging me to contact her once in America.

Barrett Faneuf, famous as the builder of two Navigators simultaneously.

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I had a week staying with Mel and his wife Carol-Jean in Edmonds, north of Seattle after the cruise. Barrett and I arranged to meet at the Steilacoom Deli & Pub, south of Seattle, for lunch on July 28, followed by a sail. Some of Barrett’s Intel colleagues came along to look at Yuko.

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Barrett and I arranged to meet for lunch on July 28, followed by a sail.

First impression: Yuko was dwarfed by the huge Dodge 4 x 4 (about 6 litre V8) Barrett drives! Further impressions followed at the beach which we drove under a railway trestle to reach: everything was extremely well thought out. Evidence for this is that it took the 2 of us only 20 minutes to have Yuko rigged and ready for launch. By way of comparison it took me just under 35 minutes to ready Tusk for launching last weekend. I do have an engine and a light-board, but even so I was impressed at how well everything went together on Yuko, especially for what was essentially a first sail. Barrett has chosen not to have an engine, because in Washington she would then have to register the boat. Oars substitute.

Barrett has chosen not to have an engine, because in Washington she would then have to register the boat. Oars substitute.

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Barrett rowed us clear of the ferry landing visible in the background of some of the photos. We set sail in virtually perfect conditions, about 8 to 12 knots of wind and a small chop. It felt good to reconnect, in another hemisphere and across the Pacific, with small boat sailing. The gentle wind allowed plenty of time to look around Yuko as we sailed and talked. Early impressions were confirmed: the whole boat displays evidence of careful thought and neat execution. Everyone refines their boat in the light of experience, but I don’t think there will be much for Barrett to refine. Barrett turned control over to me after a while and the same very light balanced helm familiar from Tusk was evident. We did have some trouble with mainsail shape and did not point very well because of this. Barrett has since changed the attachment of the peak halyard and overcome the problem.

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The whole boat displays evidence of careful thought and neat execution.

We spent nearly three hours, from memory, on the water and it seemed much less. On return to the beach, we furled the sails and I rowed the last 100 metres or so to the launching point. Navigators are not rowboats, but it moved along readily enough. However it would be tough in a head wind. Looking at Jamie’s photo in the Yahoo discussion group the rowing position looks a bit far back. I wonder if a rowing station could be made in a forward position with the rowers back to the coaming. This would help lift the transom a bit with 2 people in and make steering to windward a little easier for a solo rower. There would be limits to the length of stroke that could be achieved. But none of this amounts to criticism of Yuko, which is a fine craft.

Thanks Barrett, for a most enjoyable afternoon.

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Thanks Barrett, for a most enjoyable afternoon. I wish you the best of sailing in Yuko and lots of enjoyment building your next boat

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