One of the KTL MOBs is a bloke called Steve who bought a Hunter Liberty - the cat rigged version of Katie L.
He sent me some snaps
lots too look and observe in these few pix
he takes his boat to some marvelous places and is not afraid of the cold
good man
interesting boat the Liberty – I understand there were about twice as many built as the Minstrel – would be good to hear more about this one so we can compare ;)
…..and a Happy New Year! ♬
Hi Steve, and Dylan. Interesting rig. Yes, it would be good to learn how they compare. Maybe you two could meet up with the boats and each do a “test” sail of some kind.
Happy New year to one and all who go down to the sea, or ponds, in ships.
Steve (liberty owner) i only bought the boat this (almost last) year ! with a plan to do a trip like Dylans, in fact very much inspired by his ongoing voyage. While i have done lots of deep ocean miles the kind of sailing i am doing now with the Liberty is completely different and like Dylan its the small and quirky places that i want to get to : exactly the sort of places that the big boats i used to sail just can’t get to, a bit like the place i am now which is the Tamar river above Plymouth.
I am gradually re-fitting the boat for the trip right now : the galley is my conversion, i have just had the rigs down and up again, currently working on the non functioning electrics.
Some of the pics in this section are from a solo trip across the channel this year : sailed the liberty across to Roscoff and along the north brittanny coast, one picture is from the entrance to the isle de brehat, one from jersey and one from my christmas trip out in the Tamar.
Sorry Dylan to add more to the discussion on suitable boats for cooler climates! Feb PBO Article on the Haber 620. Guess it ticks a few boxes. But would bilge keels have been better?
(Please stop any thoughts of letting Katie L go)
And a happy new year too all. (and I got a drift and then a blow up and down the Orwell today in the rain)
I keep looking at cat rigged or freedom rigged craft. Very easy to sail single handed.
Why don’t you like outboards on stern brackets, Dylan? Is it the appearance?
But not Scroats!
I love to read the comments on these pages…but what I’d love more is to see a few of you make a donation on PayPal to support Dylan’s efforts. Otherwise we might lose these great interactions between those of us who love boats. Comon’ get the purse out a drop him $5 and let’s help the old guy out :).