Folding Schooner

[Mitch]

This is not really a Cape Dory question, but as this board draws together the vast experience of some very knowledgeable sailors, I figured I'd give it a go.
The question relates to a very unDorylike, very nontraditional design: Does anyone have any experience with, or knowledge of a boat called the "folding schooner" designed by Harold Payson? I was recently given one (!) and am currently in the process of trying to sort out the hardware, figure out how to rig it, and basically understand this weird contraption. It is 31' with about a 4' beam, folds in half, and supposedly goes like hell. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks,

-Mitch

[Bob Loewenstein]

Take a look at this link

http://www.instantboats.com/fschooner.htm

which is at Payson's web page



rfl@yerkes.uchicago.edu

[LarryP]

Does anyone have any experience with, or knowledge of a boat called the "folding schooner" designed by Harold Payson?

Mitch:
I remember running across this memorable concept while idling through some links from CRUISENEWS.NET and BOATBUILDING.COM. There are any number 'Phil Bolger designs' sites, including the Folding Schooner and its story.
Try this one I got to via CRUISENEWS:
http://www.ace.net.au/schooner/sites2.htm#start
And please, let us know if it's as fun as it looks to be. Best of luck to you! LDP



larcarpanozzo@aol.com

[Warren Kaplan]

Take a look at this link

http://www.instantboats.com/fschooner.htm

which is at Payson's web page

I looked at this webpage and its just another example of man's ingenuity! I'll tell you this though. As I look at the drawings I see a 4 ft beam and a very small centerboard. Also this boat does not appear to have anything like a hard chine but it has 3 sails. Methinks this is a very tender vessel and depending on what the sail area really is on this boat I don't know if I'd want to be sailing in her in much over 10 knots of breeze. Of course I could be all wrong about this but that's my impression on first glance.
Warren



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