Parlez-vous Boat?
Part II: Today — 26' knockabout sloop
Today was built because her builder wanted to. Unlike many yachts built in the UK in the early 1900’s, she is fantastically simple; embellishments like teak decks and gold cove lines would only detract from her purity. Crowninshield’s design was well ahead of its time, from the lines of the hull to details like the chainplates being fitted to the inside face of the frames. While aiming to keep to the original style, her modern construction mitigates against weak points of the original. Today is perfect for posing and making her sailor feel even more fabulous than she/he already is.
Today was sailed in 2016’s East coast Classic Regatta to a sitting ovation by three moored sailors. Pregnancy has been declared upon this yacht. Today is eager to commence a new chapter of life with a French lover, possibly under a new name.
Status: in demand
Price: under offer
Tax status: exempt
Location: private
Specifications
Vessel name: Today
Vessel condition: newish
Vessel type: new-build 1908 classic racing yacht
Designer: B. B. Crowninshield
Builder: Sir Benjamin Jackson
Model: dark harbor 17.5
Year constructed: 2014
HIN: X
Class society: class of its own though possibly not in America
Guests: 3
Berths: 2 really but the cockpit can be slept in by 2 more
Cabins: 1 very tiny
Heads: deliberately not — who wants to sail around in a toilet?
No. of engines: 1
Engine model: Torqeedo traveler 1003 S
Engine power: equivalent to 3.5 hp, “plus it’s environmentally friendlier, quieter, lighter and more convenient”
Engine hours: less than 5
Fuel type: lithium ion battery
Drive type: outboard
Cruising speed: 5 knots
Maximum speed: 6.5 knots
Nominal length: 25’
Length over all: 26’
Length of deck: 26’
Length at waterline: 17’5”
Beam: 6’2”
Maximum draft: 4’2”
Hull material: cedar
Hull type: fin long keel
Hull colour: arctic white
Keel type: fin long
Displacement: 1.5 tons
Fuel capacity: don’t know the size of the lithium ion battery
Water capacity: 0
Construction
Laminated mahogany ring frames. Oregon pine longitudinals. Cedar strip planking. Bi-axle glass cloth set in epoxy. 9mm marine ply sheathed in epoxy glass deck, over laminated mahogany beams. Self-bailing cockpit. Sliding hatch. External lead keel. Tiller steering. Knockabout rig. Keel stepped main mast.
Equipment
Everything you need to go sailing. Knockoff aluminium lightweight Fortress — 2kg designed to be light, for racing. Fenders and warps.
Sails and spars
Traditionally rigged as a gaffer. Narrowcut panelled sails. Ash blocks. Tackles. Hollow Oregon pine varnished spars.
Disclaimer
No guarantee is given or implied with regards to specification but descriptions are given in good faith. I’m not responsible for any of this.
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Thank you to apolloduck.com for the formula this article follows.
