Seeking DE38 Ketch Photograph General Forum Forums

G'day Scott,

Sorry I haven't got back until now. Everything has been pretty hectic as we get ready for Christmas.

How do you like sailing her?

I love it, she's so easy and stable. I try to always reduce sail early and so far have not been caught out.

Is the smaller sail size a big advantage to you as opposed to the increased rigging and number of sails?

I like the fact that she feels more stable in a blow, sail handling is easy and she looks beautiful when she has Yankee or genoa,staysail,main and mizzen up.

 How does two masts impact living space down below? Are both masts Deck stepped or is the Mizzen keel stepped?

Both are deck stepped. The mizzen looks funny but works well. I'll find a photo to explain. It appears that my living space is the same as the other DE 38's

What sail combinations and reefing combinations do you use as the wind picks up?

I swap my hanked on Genoa (very old) over to the Yankee once the breeze gets over about 10knts, I can run with Yankee,staysail,Main and Mizzen quite comfortably to about 25-30knts however I usually throw 1 or two reefs in the main if it looks like the weather will build from 20kts upwards. (Just so I don't put too much strain on the old girl). If I'm just cruising and want to keep things stable I'll drop the main and just run with the Yankee and Mizzen and she's pretty well bullet proof up to 40 knts. Above 40 knts I back off to just the Main with two reefs and the staysail. Above 50 I just use the staysail to give a little stability and try to find some shelter.

I can put a reef in the mizzen but usually just drop it

I can handle all the sails by myself quite comfortably and by using the Raymarine St4000 autopilot, single handed sailing is a dream

Do you give up any windwardness with the ketch rig over the Cutter? I know that ketchs in general have that reputation but I have no personal experience with it.

I haven't sailed the cutter but I imagine that I do lose upwind performance compared to the cutter. She tends to stall if I push her to hard into the breeze, but she loves to Reach so I just don't point her to high and we get along fine. I try to sail by that old saying, "Gentlemen always sail with the wind at their backs"

What in your opinion attracted you to Tondelayo and has she lived up to your expectations?

I love the tradition and history of yachting. I have raced in Sydney to Hobarts and other ocean races and as much as I enjoy going quickly on the water, I much prefer to slow down and enjoy every moment. Tondy represents everything I like in a boat. She looks beautiful with her Ketch rig, wineglass stern,bowsprit. She is a high volume boat that offers so much room for a boat of 29ft at the waterline. She accommodates my family and friends easily. Her 4'9 draft lets me get in close at anchorages. I can easily sail her single handed. My wife and I plan to sail her around Australia in retirement and she will do that easily. She holds over 400lts of fuel and 450lts of water so we can stay away from civilisation for extended periods. The Long keel with cutaway forefoot is great at sea (although as you would know she doesn't like going backwards very much) She is better built and stronger than any of todays production boats. She was repowered with an Iveco 4041 M40 in 2005 and it is a great engine that I can service easily and only uses 2 lts per hour at 1800rpm. I love that she looks like a timber hull but doesn't have the drama's of timber. What can I say other than "She's a real boat!"  

I'll get back to about the solar setup but it works just fine. I'll try to get some decent photos as well.

Do you like this arrangement? Yes, except I can't take full turns with the winch handle because it hits the Taffrail Skirt. Easily managed by just taking half turns although it is a niggling frustration.

Is it easy to use? Yep, no worries.

How is the angle that the sheet hits it? Haven't noticed anything odd.

Do you have much problem with overides? Not when I'm on the winch but I have laughed at Sandy (My wife) occassionally.

With valkyr we have a major issue with the winch wanting to get an overide if you don't pay really close attention.

 

How do you feel about the strength of your setup? I have always thought it looks a little weak but it has stood up to some heavy loads. I will replace with new heavier gauge stainless before going around Oz even if just to eliminae the possibility of the current ones being work hardened. I'll keep the originals as spares.

If you get the chance to take or already have some close ups of your jib sheet winche mounts, I would love to see them. I am waiting on a new waterproof digital camera that Santa has posted to me so as soon as it arrives I'll get a bunch of shots to you.

Merry Christmas and thanks for such a great site.