In praise of Tula

[SurryMark]

Please forgive the long post. Now that I am buying a new boat and probably will be without the lovely Tula, I want to sing her praises.

Tula is a Cape Dory 27 which, it has been said – and I believe it – is as sweet a sailor as any of the Albergs. Some have called the 27 “Carl’s sports car.” In any event, I often have been baffled at her ability to keep up with, or pass larger boats. In strong winds she chomps at the bit. Still she is nimble enough to sail around the harbor like a dinghy, and is so predictable in, say, sailing up to a mooring that I merely walk up to the foredeck and pick up the stick as it brushes against the stemhead.

A few years ago I put a mizzen on Tula, turning her into a 27Y. When I mentioned on the forum that I might do that there were a few jeers from our crowd, but even the jeerriest among them would be happy to see what a keen idea it was. Actually, I might not have done it if I hadn’t learned that none other than Dave Perry did the same years ago, and then another friend of his in the business did the same.

A well-known writer on the board suggested that the mizzen would create too much weather helm on a boat that already has enough. Actually, I don’t find that because when it happens you only slack the mizzen entirely, or ease the main, or any of the usual ways to more nicely balance the boat.

The mizzen turned Tula into an “automatic single hander” in just about any condition we are liable to run into. When the breeze is up she frequently makes hull speed with small genny and jigger and the main in its cover. Once we flew the mizzen with a drifter with the wind +/– 20kts (according to the anemometer on a friend’s nearby boat). The mizzen helped her turn quite politely, though I do think that a spinnaker in strong winds is for bigger boats and stronger crews and something to prove.

I love to heave to. It seems like a sailorly maneuver, and is a pleasure when single handing. I think that all Cape Dorys do it well and Tula heaves to under any combination of sails. On our last trip this summer we were hove to with just the mizzen, getting ready to motor into the harbor against a foul wind and tide. The chart plotter said we were making 0 kts with a bit of side slip. I listened carefully to see if we were aground, though the chart mentioned 100 feet of water. So we hung there for a bit over an hour, Tula, me, and Mali the dog, reading, eating, and enjoying one of the last not-too-cold 12-15 kt breezes in a falling sun with golden light. Some of us read; the other snoozed.

Most of my sailing in Tula has been alone. Last year I believe I did one or two overnights almost every week, a few of them with a companion, including one week-long and one ten day trip. Though the boat was cozy with a partner on board, it felt awkward having to use the stairs as a galley counter, so I put a drawer under the stove, with a lid that acts as a counter. Now I feel quite civilized, facing the side of the boat while cooking. I also made a rig that widens the starboard bunk by about 14”, though that part of the bed is less than 6’ long. (Does anybody really use the foc’sle as a bunk?)

When I bought Tula she seemed big to me. I wanted a 25D, and still think that design is a triumph, but my friend Alix and a seagoing cousin strongly urged something larger. I believe that when the 27 was built it was not considered a small boat, and many long voyages have been made on boats about that size.

I had long imagined that if I were going to get a larger boat, I’d go for a CD33. Sadly, a beautiful one recently came onto the market in Blue Hill, because a friend died. (Dave Perry at Robinhood is selling her and I highly recommend this beauty.) As it happened, though, I went for a Sea Sprite 34. The Luders lines are similar to the Cape Dory, so I expect the ride will be much the same. And maybe I’ll stick a pole with a sail on the back end.

[Steve Laume]

Very nice, Mark. Boats are a lot like dogs, if you have one truly great one in life you are blessed. It sounds as if you loved your boat as much as many of us do. Hopefully, you will grow to love your new one as much as Tula or at least she will better fit your needs, Steve.

[Sea Hunt Video]

Mark:

What a great post Sounds like Tula will be in your memory for many years to come. As it should be.

Some day I hope to learn how to sail up to my mooring and casually walk up to the bow to grab the pick up stick. A long ways off I am certain.

[Neil Gordon]

>> (Does anybody really use the foc’sle as a bunk?)<<

With an insert, the v-berth on a CD28 is essentially queen-sized at the aft bulkhead and wide enough forward. We only use about 5 1/2 feet worth of the length.

[Oswego John]

Mark,

That was a great post. I enjoyed it very much.

Best regards,
O J

[Stan W.]

We only use about 5 1/2 feet worth of the length.

LOL.

I might use a little more but, like Neil, I actually prefer the v-berth. For one thing, you can just leave it made up as a bed rather than having to convert a settee into a bed every night and back into a settee every morning. Also, I must not be very claustrophobic because I find the cave-like feel oddly reassuring.

[Dixon Hemphill]

Good article and well written. As for sleeping in the V-berth of my CD28 I find it wey too small aspace to be comfortable. And when I get up in the morning I find that my six foot frame has a very difficult time moving around and to dress there is next to impossible.

[Steve Laume]

I am sure the V berth is a great place to sleep but I am not so sure I ever have had the pleasure. We took the cushions off the boat when my son went off to collage. It now serves as the garage on Raven. Seat cushions, PFDs, swim ladder, fishing rods, spare lines, harnesses, jack lines when not rigged, bosuns chair, sea boots, scuba tank, duffel bags full of cloths, dirty laundry and a couple of bags of extra sails. That is only the stuff on top and I am sure I am forgetting a few things.

We opt for inserts between the settee berths when we want to stretch out or be close, Steve,

[Paul D.]

Thanks for that send off for your boat. Take no embarrassment from that post for it benefits the rest of us.

As a sailor with a 33, I have to say I find her perfect for all times (except maybe hull buffing!) sailing with my family of four or single handing. It was a tough call between the Sea Sprite 34, Luders 33 and the CD 33 for me in the research phase. All very solid designs and high build quality for the money.

The yawl concept is very intriguing for I have always wanted one. Having sailed across the Tasman Sea in an Atkins Ingrid Ketch, I found the rig fun to play with in different conditions.

Your post was fun to read and I hope you have as many more fine moments with your new boat.