Ep. 12 - The PRETTIEST Boat In The Fleet - 'Fair Wind' a Welsford Pathfinder

Every now and then you come across a boat that’s too special to pass up an opportunity to sail, let alone buying.
This is the story of how we came across Fair Wind, our new little ship.
Credit to John Welsford for designing ANOTHER great small craft. And credit to the builder for perhaps the best looking ‘Cabined’ Pathfinder we’ve seen. Fair Wind is a pleasure to look at and a joy to sail.
We intentionally haven’t mentioned the builders name in this video out of respect for his privacy, however we would like to thank him for allowing us to purchase Fair Wind.
Mat & Jo

[@martintruran8469]

I'm a gentleman! Now will you two stop finding all the boats that I want? Absolutely stunning craft, the builder deserves the boat version of the Archibald prize.

[@SmallCraftTasmania-ms4sx]

Mate...you'd just wrap rubber around her bilge...stay away!!! XX

[@martintruran8469]

@SmallCraftTasmania-ms4sx well she does need a skirt to finish the look😁

[@setkacagarro-blogspot-com]

Nice nice nice, i have always liked the pathfinder with a lid,

[@JackTaudi]

Great weekender boat, Luv her 👌👌

[@simonwhite8092]

What a beauty. You can hear the excitement in your voice. That’s falling in love, that is! You can’t stop giggling. Superb!

[@SmallCraftTasmania-ms4sx]

Thanks mate. Appreciate your feedback and glad you enjoyed the episode. Stay salty...Mat & Jo

[@til7545]

No way this beauty has been hiding unsailed😮!!!! What a find…. Craftsmanship looks absolutely outstanding. Man I‘m envious - congratulations to you both for becoming her new caretakers 🥂

[@SmallSailboatCruising]

That’s a superb little video about a superb little boat. Thanks Mat.

[@SmallCraftTasmania-ms4sx]

Thanks mate. Appreciate your support...

[@joshsanner3886]

The smile on your faces tells the whole story!

[@kdhwjudson]

This is beyond my imagination. It’s incredibly beautiful.

[@BarefootBoatworks]

What a beautiful boat. Top-notch build and fit-out. Very jelly.

[@tewaewae]

Gorgeous build.

[@bviyachtsales]

the verture at the dock is BEAUFITUL!

[@rikvandervaart2601]

Congrats with that gorgeous pathfinder.

[@bennierheeder7015]

The birdseye covers are beautiful!!

[@timferguson2682]

A few years back I saw a trailered Pathfinder parked at the grocery store on its way back from sailing Lake Champlain. Before I recognized it and admired it to the builder my impression was "What a beautiful and strongly built boat!" The luck god smiled on you that day.

[@kidsafloatinawoodenboatsai6137]

Oh my… what a boat!

[@ferry6497]

She’s a true gem!👌

[@steveearley1]

Absolutely beautiful! Enjoy!

[@DocksideCurmudgeon]

Very nice! A proper little yacht! Enjoy! ⛵️

[@rsb62rsb]

Oh man….. what a beautiful boat, what a beautiful place…. 😢😉😀👍🏽

[@JamesSmith-is7co]

Yet another lovely boat that needs sailed every weekend!!!

[@petercroft9895]

I built one of the first cabin Pathfinders anywhere, definitely the first in NZ, and thought I'd done a nice job, but wow, this is next level! You'll be amazed at what these will cope with on jib and mizzen - it is such a versatile rig when the weather gets a bit feral. If you're planning on overnighting in cooler weather, I'd highly recommend installing a vent of some sort at the front of the cabin, or you'll be mopping up condensation from every surface. And also rigging the anchor so it can be stowed and deployed from the cockpit. I say that, having nearly gone ass over quoit on a couple of occasions, going forward on wet decks. Enjoy.

[@SmallCraftTasmania-ms4sx]

Thanks for your comment and advice Peter. Stay salty...Mat & Jo

[@jeffb6131]

A very nice intro Mat she definitely is a stunning example of a cabin top Pathfinder, nicley fitted out as well. Enjoy guys.

[@BigRedNZ1]

That’s a corker of a wee boat. Makes me miss Tasmania and it’s awesome wee boats.

[@neilhenderson5782]

Think you struck lucky when you found this one - the work of a craftsman :-)

[@hespie1]

Just found your channel. Great video mate and what a lovely boat. Also Jelly!

[@SmallCraftTasmania-ms4sx]

Thanks mate. Appreciate the feedback. Yeah...we got super lucky with Fair Wind...she's a beautiful boat indeed!

[@paulnaylor3301]

A work of art ,, have watched this 3 times so far...

[@SmallCraftTasmania-ms4sx]

ahhh....that's who's watching! ;-D

[@paulnaylor3301]

@@SmallCraftTasmania-ms4sx Thats because I am building a Pathfinder too .

[@dougfairweather]

Sounds like you've got the wifes' approval.... Thats always important! Doug, FNQ.

[@colvingazelle]

I bought one of those bronze roller furling units for my schooner. Used for the foremost jib. Worked well!

[@SmallCraftTasmania-ms4sx]

I had this one in my sock drawer...waiting for the right boat to come along...

[@aaronsellers1372]

What a beauty! Im not a gentleman, but im hoping i will still like my pathfinder once i get her in the water😂

[@colvingazelle]

My Tartan 34C had an icebox with access from the cockpit - great place for sailing refreshments while under sail - no need to go below!

[@davidchambers3196]

Nice video. My Pathfinder with cabin is a gaff rigged sloop. Delightful boat!

[@robertdumond6072]

Beautiful boat it looks so new! Happy Sailing!

[@jmpersonal2402]

Beyond stunning!!

[@jonathanlewis1352]

Simply lovely.

[@dngiles1]

Hi there - I recall seeing your beautiful Pathfinder at the AWBF in 2013 - it was very eye-catching (I have a photo). My recollection was it was built by a Doctor/Surgeon and your good fortune is that he was all about building them. I have myself a Navigator which I built in 2006. Enjoy - a wonderful testament to the amateur boat builder.

[@SmallCraftTasmania-ms4sx]

Thank you. Yes, you are correct.

[@RobWyatt-tp9vy]

What a beautiful boat, you lucky b………

[@n176ldesperanza7]

Happy for you!

[@craiganderson8232]

Great find something the ordinary like myself dream about, well done . Incase you didn't get it, I love❤❤❤ it.🤨

[@gillesdufaux5519]

Lovely boat

[@nealsandidge3951]

Stunning!

[@vingreensill]

Great boat!

[@ossy57]

What a beaty ❤❤❤

[@monostripezebras]

great boat

[@johnc6809]

Great video! Looks like a real stunner. John’s boats are just so well thought out. Where did the builder come by the port glasses in such a small size? I have a small cabin on our cat ketch. She need a front port hatch, as it gets pretty toasty on a warm day.

[@SmallCraftTasmania-ms4sx]

The best place for classic boat supplies is here: www.toplicht.de/en/

[@spencero1906]

Amazing boat. A bit crazy as I have never sailed but I am currently building a pathfinder with cabin. This is great inspiration, any chance I could ask for some pictures of the boat?

[@SmallCraftTasmania-ms4sx]

There's plenty on the Welsford FB page. And more videos to come!

[@robertwebber194]

Beautiful boat. Will she self right? You mentioned there may have had more ballast onboard than standard.

[@SmallCraftTasmania-ms4sx]

The Pathfinder is not a self righting design. Hard to capsize though.

[@valeriepottier120]

Damn: Huon pine? Sweet

[@ubbeus]

A real beauty! That “aftsprit” is new for me. What’s it called? I cannot seem to find any other references for it online.

[@SmallCraftTasmania-ms4sx]

The 'stick' poking out the stern is called a boomkin or bumkin. Thanks for your comment.

[@garyandrews8053]

Love your eposides, and you know how to find a bargin don't you. I will be after a trailer boat after i sell my big boat. May have to let you know as you have a lot of contacts. Why do you like those rigs, what are the advantages, and disadvantages ?. They are pretty though. How many boats do you have now ?

[@SmallCraftTasmania-ms4sx]

Hey mate. Every rig has their pros and cons, just like every boat. There's always a compromise. I like traditional rigs like the Gaff and Lug, mostly because they just look real salty! How many boats do we have? I'll never tell... ;-D

[@papataffy]

Anytime I think I decided my dilemma between Pathfinder and Sweet Pea in favor of Sweet Pea, somebody posts this kind of video. Why are you doing this to me? 😵‍💫

[@SmallCraftTasmania-ms4sx]

We’ve owned a Sweet Pea too and sailed many miles in her. Very different boats.

[@sailing_tassies_adventures]

Where you out yesterday (Sunday 17th)? If so I was one of the boats out there and we thought we saw this boat floating around and we where impressed by its beauty. If it wasnt you then theres another beauty out there :)

[@SmallCraftTasmania-ms4sx]

Yep. That was us. What boat were you in?

[@sailing_tassies_adventures]

@@SmallCraftTasmania-ms4sxMy boat is Griffin, I have a swing mooring in Kettering. When the wind picked up, we went past you astern, looks like you where heading back to the jetty.

[@jodixon7984]

Thanks

[@SmallCraftTasmania-ms4sx]

You're the best!!! XXX

[@jodixon7984]

@@SmallCraftTasmania-ms4sx❤

[@dmain6735]

"Wanna have a look?" .........F##k yeah

[@user-kx4rp4hm6i]

Do guys still have the blue navigator?😊

[@SmallCraftTasmania-ms4sx]

Yes

[@arcboutant]

Will you let US see the boat……..

[@DanielMoulton]

Wow, was that walnut on the hatch covers?beautfil

[@SmallCraftTasmania-ms4sx]

Birdseye Huon Pine. Thanks for you comment.

[@craigleegillings]

Too much mug, not enough boat.. 😂

[@SmallCraftTasmania-ms4sx]

Thanks mate...

[@bobeden5027]

How much?

[@SmallCraftTasmania-ms4sx]

Priceless.