Xmas Advent Calendar- Guess the Boat

[Merlin3241]

New photo of wicker hamper handle:

[Nessa]

some of you guys need to reread what I said earlier about chainplates.....I am giving this clue of my own (having had it confirmed by the op) in the spirit of xmas and because not knowing this is driving me a tad insane....

I really feel I recognise the shape, but can't drag it to my brain...

[Max McCarthy]

Harrier? It looks like small fibreglass wings on the side of the hull. And it Looks too big to be a skol moth or similar.

[roger]

As the garage doors are open I guess you found the keys!

[Michael Brigg]

There is a composite version of the Harrier. This one, not being CVRDA'ble must I presume be a Harrier +.

There is a link on this site (in a previous thread) to a blog on building a wooden one. It's one big series of clues!

Is the historic link anything to do with a famous blond curley haired Smoker. Also well known for breaking Whitbread round the world yachts?

[Rupert]

Externally, there are certainly similarities, but the internal layout looks very different to any Harrier I've ever seen - but then I've never seen a composite one. Unconvinced.

Edit: Oh, and "the only boat the designer ever designed" was a clue?

[jpa_wfsc]

some of you guys need to reread what I said earlier about chainplates......

aye I did and I thought - N12 can have canting rigs can't they? So no chainplates, but a tackle of sorts instead. I still think N12 even now I see a hull more like a 505.... but much much narrower on the floor. Ohh its frustrating! Might be right but we arn't going to be told yet are we!

[Merlin3241]

Microscopic detail from Michael the sleuth! I think you've put together: Keith Callaghan, designer of Merlins, 12's Harriers and other plywood single handed flying machines recently designed Merlin 3707, Wicked, built by Laurie Smart. Laurie Smith (blond curly Sailor) broke Intrum Justita's rig after leading many legs of a Whitbread but I don't know if he's linked to Harriers. Anyhow, interesting thread, but no, not a Laurie Smith or Laurie Smart connection.
I'm from Devon, don't expect the link to be that complex!

[Michael Brigg]

[quote="Merlin3241"]... Laurie Smith (blond curly Sailor) broke Intrum Justita's rig after leading many legs of a Whitbread but I don't know if he's linked to Harriers. quote]

Well, yes he is...

He only got onto intrum Justicia because he broke the Experimental mizzen mast on Fortuna Extra Lights (Spot another Smoking connection) which started the race with a massive unstayed carbon rig. They hit exceptional weather off Finnisterre or Royal Sovereign as I recall and the rig came tumbling down. End of Lawries race which he had been well pumped up for. Apparently it would have been fine in the Southern Ocean in a reaching/Running situation.

Intrum sacked their Skipper in Rio, and Lawrie took over, with a transforming performance. He pushed the boat hard, setting a 24hr distance record of 425miles. Aparrently they set of their automatic EPIRB accidentally on a couple of occasions. These are set to release if submerged to more than 12 feet...that must have been a spectacular broach!!

...So here is 14yr old Lawrie "cutting his teeth" in a Harrier, commisioned, (and possibly designed by?) his Dad (Harold, who wanted a boat more suited to his sailing than an OK.)

Don't go letting her get any ideas then!

http://www.bluelightning.co.uk/Harrier/Lawrie02.jpg

[Merlin3241]

We deserve a picture of the bow today.
Think we might have a pic of the foredeck or transom tomorrow.
Day 13:
They built five of these.

[Rupert]

I'm rapidly coming to the conclusion that I just-don't-know...

[JimC]

Until you said "they built 5" I was half wondering about an early Lark, but think it could be a bit skinny on the waterline. Also ISTR the Lark designer did some Nationals.

[davidh]

More than that Jim - the designer of the Lark, Mike Jackson, also designed a single hander for the 1965 IYRU trials at Weymouth!
Not to mention 12s - as you rightly said - and some famous, ground breaking Merlins (Sugar Plum?)

d

[Merlin3241]

The foredeck pic as promised. Not really a red herring that she doesn't have a foredeck...
Day 14:
Her hull is mostly Cedar strip.

[Max McCarthy]

This last pic has confused me even more! I really have got no idea now.