Tom Cunliffe stops at Colin Archer's house on his Summer cruise 2017

Colin Archer's yard at last. After many decades Tom finally sails up to a major point in his pilgrimage to discover whether or not his old boat was a real Colin Archer.
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Welcome on board!
Tom
copyright Tom Cunliffe 2017

[@matthewmcdermit8744]

Tom, in a word, is effusive. He has such great respect, admiration, and appreciation of sailing in general whether it is the boats he had, the men who made them, the experiences, adventures, loves, and children he had on them. His enthusiasm is contagious.

[@peterlovett5841]

What a delightful turn of phrase this man has. I could listen to him speak all day.

[@boptah7489]

"sails like a Witch" keep em coming. Love it.

[@AfricanFlightStar]

Wonderful story Mr Cunliffe, you have led a blessed life indeed. Loved the old photos of your boat, especially the ones of you & Roz, what a great looking couple you were and surely still are. I also love the way you honor and respect your boats, that's how it should be. I've done the same with aircraft all my life in aviation - treat them well and show them genuine respect and they'll look after you ☺️ It's all part of the stuff that lifelong dreams are made of, when they become reality cheers! 👍🏼☺️

[@arturasstatkus8613]

Thank You,Sir.

[@user-wz2qe2pv6r]

Fascinating stuff.

[@robinjohnson6816]

What a mystery Saari is. I remember my grandfather 'Jonny' Johnson talking about her when he lived aboard his Colin Archer 'Escape', on the Hamble River. What a wonderful experience to visit the Archer homestead in Norway.

[@TomCunliffeYachtsandYarns]

Hello Robin I knew Johnny very well indeed. We both lived on the Hamble in our boats back in the early 1970s. Johnny was a bit of a mentor to me. Amongst many other things, he introduced me to the wonderful properties of Trekfast oil ('liquid gold!'). He also showed me how to make Saari's new mast when her old one went rotten just as we were about to sail for Brazil. He and Peggy were good friends to all who loved the sea. I note that Escape has been restored and I wish her well, as I do you, his grandson All the very best Tom

[@robinjohnson6816]

Hi Tom, I remember you being in the Hamble in the 70's, we have probably met a few times over that period as I would inevitably be helping to scrape or vanish Escape. I have a small pot of trekfast oil, when smell it, it is as if I back aboard Escape. Wonderful memories. Thank you and all the very best, Robin

[@georgestratis1430]

Truly informative! Thanks tom. Looking forward to the next one..

[@sv.janisj.-rockingthewaves9210]

Great vlog Tom and Roz keep up the good work look forward to the next one .. Steve

[@nicholasbell9017]

Hello Tom. Thanks for yet another fascinating story. That pilot cutter looks a lot like my Dad's first boat, "Merope", he owned in the early 1950's. Later, he owned "Windstorm", a 43' bermudian cutter, designed by Brooks Richards, built, Burts of Falmouth 1937. Merope was older, and my Mum found her accommodation too poky, so Dad bought the bigger one! Both were beautiful wooden vessels.

[@rhirwin10]

Awesome story of Sari... Safe travels on your return

[@WRPUS471]

Wonderful story!! I love the "pieces of the true cross" metaphor.

[@TomCunliffeYachtsandYarns]

Thanks Will. Glad you liked it.

[@madmikehoare4978]

My father, later known as Mad Mike Hoare, had a 36' double ender in Durban, South Africa, in the 60s, named Colin Archer after the man himself, and built by Emanuel Moen and Tor Nilsen Sauvik in Risor, Norway, in 1937. It was pretty much just like yours. I believe it is back in the Risor area now. I have wonderful memories of sailing our Colin Archer. Enjoyed your vlog.

[@jerrytugable]

Chris Hoare Interesting, there is a boat called 'Colin Archer' in Norway, I think it's a preserved CA lifeboat or similar. I was in Risor recently as my boat Marihona was built there in 1957.

[@johnschofield2818]

There was another in Durban, Chris, in the 60's called INGWE and owned by a one-legged bloke called Vic Kusel (sp?), for whom I crewed. The last I heard, about 2014, she's still going strong. Had a few mates who worked with your old man.

[@gregleonard1562]

By any chance is Mad Mike Hoare you referred to any relation to the Mad Mike Hoare who I was always led to believe was originally a Rush man of North county Dublin. I recall hearing his name mentioned by Rush men in the 1960s.

[@clivejackson3128]

Is this boat in any way related to the Sandefjord, which was restored by the Cullen brothers in Durban in 1964 for a circumnavigation in 1965/1966? The voyage was filmed as a documentary at the time. The introduction reads: "The true story filmed on board of this famous 50 year old ex-Norwegian lifeboat during her circumnavigation 1965 -1966". A few years ago the South African National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) distributed a digitally remastered copy of the film: "Sandefjord DVD : Her Voyage Around the World" in order to raise funds. There is a short history of the Sandfjord on the NSRI site mentioning that the boat was designed by Colin Archer. This can be found on: www.nsri.org.za/2014/08/sandefjord-dvd-her-voyage-around-the-world/ I have a copy of the film, but I'm not sure if copyright allows it to be distributed.

[@madmikehoare4978]

@@jerrytugable I think Mike's CA is in Risor now.

[@newdmbfan]

Amazing story!

[@natemcdaniel2139]

I have a 48ft LOA Colin Archer built in 1978. It is a very sturdy boat as you know well. I just discovered your channel and will be following your adventures.

[@TomCunliffeYachtsandYarns]

Thanks Nate. Glad to have you on board.

[@ingeebeltoft]

Fantastik story. Colin Archer rules 😎

[@petercattell1773]

If I'm correct, Amundsen's "Fram" was designed by Colin Archer. I have been to the site of Fram's constr in Norway

[@joebitgood6906]

I was very lucky as a young man to have many Great Adventures With My Father rest his soul on our 45-foot calling Archer I learned more about going to see on that book and then E-boat I have gone to see on I am now retired and have over 45 years in United States market for a as a engineering officer my passion has always been large sailing vessels the Highlight in my career was free years on Shamrock 5 jk3 1930 J boat what a ride

[@joejunior1974]

What a great story! I hope you find your boat

[@TomCunliffeYachtsandYarns]

Maybe she's hiding up a creek somewhere Joe, but somehow I doubt it. After writing and talking about her for many years, no one seems to know anything about her. Tom

[@joejunior1974]

@@TomCunliffeYachtsandYarns thanks for responding to my comment Tom! I've been living on my sailboat for 5 years now and your videos have been motivating me to clean her up and have more adventures, instead of just hanging out at the marina. Thanks for sharing your wisdom and knowledge!

[@gregleonard1562]

This story is incredible and not dissimilar to the story about another boat designer from the 19 century, Thomas Francis McManus from Boston Massachusetts, a descendant of an Irish sail maker who emigrated from Skerries, Dublin around the time of the famine. His primary drive too was the safety of the fishermen's schooners, fishing off the Grand Banks before racing back to Boston fully laden with fish for the markets. The fatality rate then was also atrocious and the visionary McManus set about designing safety into his boats. That story is well and truly documented in a book about the man, the era and his superlative achievements. The author was an American naval architect I believe.. Sorry book not to hand at the moment. (Out on loan).

[@Dg-zj6jo]

nice pictures sir

[@gertbk2220]

Hi Tom. Gert from Denmark here. Love your channel. I'm the proud owner of a Colin Archer replica 'Grimsø' from Norway built in 1984. The model is cruiser of Copenhagen 1902. She has been in my care for the last 11 years. I've sailed her alot, but the favourite sailtrip of the year is the big race called - Limfjorden rundt - in Denmark. About 60 wooden gaff riggers participate from Denmark, norway, Sweden and a few from the UK and netherlands. Look it up before you leave Denmark. Cheers!

[@TomCunliffeYachtsandYarns]

Thanks Gert. If I see that I'll be sorry I ever sold my last gaffer!

[@dr-stephennewdell3882]

So now we have William Atkins' designs after Colin Archer. I wish I could tell what happened to yours, Tom. Thanks for this one! sn

[@seanmulligan1339]

That was a keeper

[@rolfsvensson5777]

Smile! In the beginning i was thinking you where talking about your wife! Maybe you should? Lovely smile!

[@jerrytugable]

Hi Tom, I hope you find Sari. i'm proceeding up the Little Belt in Denmark, aiming for Risør in SE Norway where my double ended gaff cutter was built in 1957. Marihøna (Norwegian for ladybird) is an Atkin design (Like Suhaili), built as a yacht not a pilot cutter. She's a beauty, her sister Vixen has recently completed her 2nd circumnav. All the best.

[@TomCunliffeYachtsandYarns]

Atkin designed some very pretty boats. Bet 'Marihona' is pleased to be going home!

[@squarerigapprentice]

Really Enjoy your channel Tom. I'm from Victoria BC and my girlfriend and I are looking for a proper gaffer to cruise offshore. I have been working aboard training ships, mostly square riggers and some smaller gaffers for most of the last decade in Canada, the US and Europe. Have been in love with the Colin Archer style double enders since I learned that that was the genesis for a few of William Atkins cruising boat designs. I have talked to shipwrights, and the owner of the ketch I work in about things to look for and preferred materials when looking for a wooden boat. So what I have been actively looking for is a William Atkin or similar heavy displacement double ender with bronze fastenings, or a much newer galvanised boat. Most of the wooden boats around here, and there aren't many anymore, are approaching 40-50 years of age now, which isn't always a problem IF the maintenance has been kept up, but i'd be pretty concerned about iron sickness in a galvanised screw or boat nailed boat that was 40-50 years old as I'm planning to sail to the tropics. The type of thing I'm looking for is rare as hens teeth over here as I'm finding, mostly trying to pry aging sailors away from their well kept wooden boats has been unsuccessful. I've seen some very interesting listings over in England but that of course would require travel and a much more inflated budget, and then a plan and funds to start our cruising immediately and eventually end up back on the west coast of North America. Would you say a good sound gaffer not needing major structural repair could be had in England for 35000-40000 pounds? In the 32-36 foot on deck range? Would you be concerned about taking an older galvanised fastened boat to the tropics? Cheers Ryan

[@TomCunliffeYachtsandYarns]

Hi Ryan. When I sailed my 1903 Colin Archer to the Tropics in the 1970s, my fear was the wood opening up in the heat. She was trunnell-fastened with iron rivets. The latter occasionally bled rust, but I sorted this aesthetically using muriatic acid. They were high quality soft Swedish iron, not galvanised Fe of questionable quality. You are quite right about the potential for trouble with iron, especially in oak. We kept her there for 3 years and I don't think she deteriorated much. We were always careful to put plenty of water on the laid pitch-pine decks which were painted pale cream. Have you tried looking on the Old Gaffers Association boats for sale? If you're not a member, do join. It's not a lot of money and I'm sure you'd find what you're looking for. Good luck. Tom

[@squarerigapprentice]

@@TomCunliffeYachtsandYarns thanks for thé reply Tom, I’ll have a look there!

[@seashepherds4959]

Like maidens of our youth, our beloved boat glided across the dance floor of the sea and held us close and warm and in times of despair comforted and assured us- those maidens of our youth. But remember the toast "To our Wives and Lovers...May they never meet."

[@TomCunliffeYachtsandYarns]

Nicely put! Thanks. Tom.

[@paulputnam2305]

💪Colin Archer👍❤️

[@furphyman]

The Archer clan made a significant impact in Australia.

[@TomCunliffeYachtsandYarns]

Hi David. I recall reading they were in Australia, but I don't know a lot about what went on there. Quite a family. Tom

[@rhirwin10]

Sorry for spelling error... Saari!

[@georgepalmer8846]

Tom: I too had a Norwegian design sailboat; it was the Fjord 33 cutter designed by the talented naval architect Eivin Amble. The design was so lovely it impressed my wife to be that to own such boat I must have some sense and judgment, which was not always apparent then. Tom, I have a question for you, and with your experience and contacts would make interesting videos. The question is why are most all sailboats open cockpi9t exposed to weather when the pilothouse afford most protection. My Norwegian boat was a pilot house, and I have also owned a Fisher 37. I graduated some 30 years ago from the abuse of open cockpits and have since never considered an open cockpit boat adequate. The pilothouse in my view is not about the seaworthiness but about habitability as an essential feature. I would welcome your views and those of salts you know. Yours, G Palmer

[@TomCunliffeYachtsandYarns]

Dear G Palmer. There is much in what you say and nobody enjoys being out in the weather when it's bad. I went to Greenland in a Fisher 37 and thoroughly enjoyed the snug wheelhouse. The Fisher is, however, a motorsailer. It's interesting that every sailing pilot vessel the world over featured either an open cockpit, or a flush deck with no wheelhouse. There was nothing stopping these sailors having shelter, yet they chose not to as pragmatic seamen. Sailing a yacht with even a bimini over one's head is frustrating in my experience as one cannot just glance aloft to check that one's 'engine' (sails) is properly tuned. Even with a window in its deckhead, the same applies to a wheelhouse. The Scandinavians have reached a good compromise with highly seaworthy tent arrangements which they can put up over their cockpits when at anchor. They can also keep them up at sea i nall but the most extreme weather. They have the same downside when it comes to sailing, but can be removed quickly as soon as conditions improve. As in many things, the fact that what may seem obvious to us was not taken up by the men who operated working pilot cutters, whose sailing performance is paramount, is best not ignored. Tom

[@georgepalmer8846]

@@TomCunliffeYachtsandYarns Tom: Nobody enjoys the weather when its bad,l but the question is , when is it ever good for you? whenm its good there's UV exposure which has forced some sailor friends to retire from sailing with skin cancers. I view the wheelhouse structures as a means of crew protection, not just confort, but also crew endurance and longer term health . It does not allow the unobstructed view and open decks for sail management, for maximum sailing performance, as you describe, and for the pilot cutters and ocean racers the open plan is preferable. The average sailor, and the long range cruiser, is content, in my experience,, with a satisfactory rather than maximal level of performance, and constantly adjusts his sailing to his conditions and convenience. At night , of course, he cannot see sail set well and , as a judgment of good seamanship, may reduce sail against night squalls. Since ther are so many variables involved in sailing, no final agreement may be reached about the best boat. There are better boats for other purposes. The pilot cutters served their purpose well. The more common cruiser has different requirements and the wheelhouse/pilothouse configuration I find fits well. Regards, G Palmer

[@gregfawcett5152]

Tom...can you go into why you sold her...?

[@clivejackson3128]

Is this boat in any way related to the Sandefjord, which was restored by the Cullen brothers in Durban in 1964 for a circumnavigation in 1965/1966? The voyage was filmed as a documentary at the time. The introduction reads: "The true story filmed on board of this famous 50 year old ex-Norwegian lifeboat during her circumnavigation 1965 -1966". A few years ago the South African National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) distributed a digitally remastered copy of the film: "Sandefjord DVD : Her Voyage Around the World" in order to raise funds. There is a short history of the Sandfjord on the NSRI site mentioning that the boat was designed by Colin Archer. This can be found on: www.nsri.org.za/2014/08/sandefjord-dvd-her-voyage-around-the-world/ I have a copy of the film, but I'm not sure if copyright allows it to be distributed.

[@AfricanFlightStar]

Clive Jackson Wow, fascinating comment! I'm from Durban as well, but been living in Florida since '98. I remenber that film from my youth in Durban, prob watched it at the YMCA near point road, which was where we watched a lot of off-circuit movies like the surfer films and Rodney Taylors 'Blue Water White Death' film. Wld love to see Sandefjord again, will see if I can buy it from the NSRI.

[@clivejackson3128]

@@AfricanFlightStar ​ Good to hear from you. I'm in the process of splitting the video into 3 parts for a friend of mine in Brisbane. Let me know if you can't obtain a copy in which case I'll give you the links to the 3 parts. I'm trying toget the reference to the Sandefjord featuring an article (around 3/4 years ago) in SA Sailing Magazine about the current owners of the boat and her whereabouts. If I remember correctly a Norwegian couple own and sail her now back in Norway.

[@will-bi4pj]

Ok, have to know. What happened to Roz?

[@TomCunliffeYachtsandYarns]

You'll be pleased to know Homer that Roz and I are still together after all these years. She's the girl behind the camera, although you can catch a glimpse of her on the vid about my village, Lover. Tom

[@will-bi4pj]

yes, i am pleased to know 🙂

[@johnsmith4219]

What do you mean JUST gone? that is like saying my house is just gone?

[@TomCunliffeYachtsandYarns]

Not sure of the reference John, but it may well be that I meant 'simply gone'. I suppose in this context the word emphasises without 'shouting.' A gentle emphasis? How about that?

[@johnsmith4219]

@@TomCunliffeYachtsandYarns That is a shame. I just have a hard understanding that there would not be any identification stamping on the boat, so when one was to register or insure it, authorities would be alerted and that the boat was listed as missing and belongs to you. Thank you for your response and i enjoy you channel very much, I have learned a great deal.

[@TomCunliffeYachtsandYarns]

John smith Thanks John. Sorry I misunderstood. I'm really pleased you're enjoying the channel. All the best

[@volkerkoenig3523]

You praise the sea-worthiness of these Colin Archer pilot- cutters. But are todays sailors physically and psychologically strong enough to handle these boats in heavy weather? I am from Germany and at the beginning of my sailing-hobby I intendet to sail as crew with a big Colin Archer called "Tarzan" to Norway via the Faröer Island. This boat had just returned from a circumnavigation of the world But just before my sail it experienced a very heavy summer- storm in the " Deutsche Bucht" of the North sea. After fighting the storm at the long heavy rudder for many hours alone - the whole crew was seasick downstairs - he had to give up exhausted. They were rescued by dänisch fishermen and "Tarzan" was brought in by the fishermen without any damage. And that was also the end of my sail with a Colin Archer. circum

[@volkerkoenig3523]

Sorry, it means the skipper of the sail before mine had to give up after many hours at the rudder.

[@TomCunliffeYachtsandYarns]

Hi Volker. I've sailed thousands and thousands of miles in a 32ft Colin Archer including crossing the North Atlantic too late in the year. In bad gales we hove to, in storm conditions we lay ahull. I don't understand why they were still helming. Why didn't they heave to? Or if too close to a lee shore, set her on the offshore tack and fore-reach slowly with the helm free? There are all sorts of options without having to steer in such awful conditions. Was she a real Colin Archer, or a boat on Colin Archer lines? There's often a big difference. Tom

[@volkerkoenig3523]

Tom Cunliffe - Yachts and Yarns Hi Tom, thank you for your profound answer. TARZAN a real Colin Archer? well, after my cancelled trip I was'nt interested in her anymore. Futhermore it was 1985 and there was no aunt Google. But yesterday I googled Sy.Tarzan and - voila - got the whole story. She was built in a dij-way by 3 german sailing-enthusiasts in 1979. They were profound engineers with experiences in plastics and boat-building. They used the construction- drawings of the 46 feet Colin Archer rescue cutter ANDREAS AARO. But whereas the original weighed 35 tons their sandwich-construction weighed " only" 22 tons. Wrong strategy helming? to start with it was a real heavy storm. And I imagine the lonesome skipper didn't know his exact position. It was 1985 after all. So I think he was afraid of the dangerous sandbanks between the islands before the german coast. But in the end in my opinion his main problem was to be completely on his own , not allowing him to do any manouvres or planning some strategy at the chart-table. Anyway, he managed to send a pan-pan call. After half an hour TARZAN was surrounded by 6 danish fishing vessels, a container-ship was giving lee, and a SAR helicopter was flying over them. In this situation the before useless and seasick crew of 5 or 6 forced him to give up and abandon ship. . ?

[@christopherbrown8205]

Volker Koenig. Yes, I have met people who have sailed boats in GRP and segment built after Colin Archers designs, who say they do not perform as well and that they think it must be due to weight differences. I have also been hove to in a gale off Denmark for a night - which was surprisingly comfortable. But, we were not able to make headway off the lee shore. Perhaps it was just our lack of experience and skill with gaff rigs.

[@markbailey6051]

Sjoa C A 33 on eBay 10 30 2019