Sydney Pair Winter On Northland Waters

Northern Advocate, 31 May 1949, Page 6

Sydney Pair Winter On Northland Waters

Refuting the accepted axiom that once a yachtsman marries hd goes on the beach, Mr and Mrs H. Scott, of Sydney, sailed into the Whangarei Harbour last night, in their ship which is also their home.

They have lived on board their 43ft wishbone ketch, Silver Gull, for six years and prefer the shipboard type of life, as they please themselves where they live and take their home and possessions along when they sail.. Leaving Hobart last year on an extended cruise of the New Zealand coast, the couple made a landfall just south of the Brothex's Light and spent some time cruising in the MaiTborough Sounds. Requii'ing no other crew than his wife to help him handle the ship, Mr Scott has worked his way into many beautiful bays in the sounds and along the coast. Crossing Cook Strait to Wellington, the Silver Gull sailed up the Fast Coast and was hove to for three days in a storm. WINTERING IN THE NORTH After spending several months in Auckland, the couple decided to winter in the north and will cruise in the Bay ot Islands before leaving for another summer in the south. Mr Scott, who is a retired surveyor, had not driven a boat nail in his life when he started work on his dream ship in 1936, but he learnt as he went along. The design of the Silver Gull is his own and one can see the influence of Mi's Scott in the intei'ior layout. The Silver Gull is planked with Oregon and spotted gum and is immensely strong, an unusual feature be r ing clinching on all planking nails and the inner lining of concrete up to the waterline. This keeps the bilges sweet and makes the boat very easy in a seaway. Constructed inside as a home the Silver Gull uses every inch of room. Aft is a 24 h.p. auxiliary engine with lockers and a wheelhouse from which the yacht can be steered in bad weather. ~ FLOATING WORKSHOP Opposite the wheel is a unique feature for a. cruising boat—a home workshop equipped with a vice, power drill, grinder and all standard fitting tools. The machines are powered with a charging motor which also runs the lighting. Cooking is done over three primus stoves swung in gimbles, and ample locker space is. built in. In her rig the Silver Gulll carries the latest modification of the fore and after. She is a wishbone ketch, a type of rig which was popularised by the Atlantic race-winner Dorade, and found to be particularly suitable for ocean work, as all sails are small and canvas may be reduced in a hurry without reefing.

On the way across from Tasmania Mr Scott spent only three hours at the tiller in 15 days, as the yacht will sail herself on all headings.

The rig lends itself admirably to heaving to, as she was laid' into a storm off the New Zealand coast for three days, during which time she worked herself 90 miles to windward.