Hello Steve: If I may quickly pick your experience. I’ve located a William Garden Ketch, Dolphin design 32LwL, 42LoA. Aesthetically, I am in love with that clipper overhang/bowsprit. Only seen a truncated picture so far. Have to travel to check it out, and my source is uncertain whether it is cutter-rigged or not but assume so with a bowsprit. Can’t tell from poor quality photo. It’s wooden hulled, mahog on oak. 11’6 beam 6’6 draft 22,000 displ with 8,000 Ballast Keel assumed to be full length. I have experience sailing dinghies, but that’s it. Intend to use it as a seasonal liveaboard, and to develop/polish skills singlehanding on a big boat. It is purported to be a bluewater boat. Sail package is minimal but includes a storm trysail. What would be your comments on this one, yea or nay for my intentions, assuming the survey is acceptable? I love the way it looks but have to look to an expert such as yourself as to how she may sail, if your familiar or could make an educated guess. You are doing a great service to the sailing community. Thanks, Raphael.
Hi Raphael: You have a pretty good description of the boat. My guess is she’s a ketch. Bill Garden is an extremely talented designer, way ahead of his time in many ways and in many areas. The Porpoise has a very traditional underbody, so she is not going to be quick, or weatherly. The timber construction will take lots of maintenance–which will be very costly unless you are able to do this yourself. If you are prepared to the maintenance, and the lower level of performance, and the boat makes your heart sing, then I’d say go for it. However, before tying the knot, spend some time sailing one of these (or this boat during sea trials–when you can still back out). And also sail some other vessels in the same price range, perhaps something with a fin keep, to see the difference in performance. Good Luck–Steve.
Posted by Steve Dashew (November 30, 1999)
