from Yahoo junk rig group
Re: What vessel to add a junk rig to or best source for used junk-ri Posted by: "Steve Williams" [email protected] dogmanofalgodones Tue Jul 21, 2009 7:08 am (PDT) My short list in the 30 to 36 foot range for conversion to junk was Golden Hind, Westsail, Tahiti Ketch and Allied Seawind Ketch. In a bigger boat I would look at a Morgan OI 41 ketch. All of these are proven bluewater boats with many circumnavigations. I found a '69 Golden Hind. I have it rigged with a single junk sail of 420 sqft with the mast in the original position and 25% balance. GH's prior to 1970 are wood with epoxy sheathing. After that they are FG hulled with plywood decks and interior. They are still in production 46 years after the hull #1 launched and are found just about everywhere on the globe. They have a cult following and there is an active owners group (Eventide Owners Group). The hull is 31.5 by 9 by 3.75 draft, 5 1/2 tons light, 7 tons laden. it is full forward and has a traditional long keel. All combine to make a good seakeeper over the long haul and a great boat in thin water, but they are slow to come about, lacking a fin keel. Most have bilge keels which are great if you want to dry out on the tide, but they do slow the boat down and are a reported source of leaks. They are easy to remove, and unnessessary with a junk rig, which tends to induce much less heel. Decent ones on the East Coast, US, are ranging from 15K to 35K tho engineless examples with leaks where the bilge keels attach are sometimes less than 5K, a great deal since the fix is easy. I know of one that was free. In Europe the asking prices are generally in the 40K Euro range. Many examples have already been converted to junks. They are the boat of choice for many low budget bluewater cruising couples. I currently have about 20K into mine. I have put in new tanks, electronics (basic), wiring, engine water pump, deck gear, running rigging, ground tackle, nav lights and paint. It has the original hand start Lister diesel, water heater, pressure water system and cabin heater. It still needs cosmetics and interior work. i have mostly done coastal cruising, single handed in her but a previous owner made 3 pond crossings. If I lost her, another GH would be at the top of my list.