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Yacht Question From Author

7.4K views 31 replies 15 participants last post by  Sabiny101  
#1 ·
Hi everyone, I am an author writing a historical mystery and I am hoping you can all help me with a question. Although I've looked and looked, I have not been able to find out what the raised part of a deck is called (the top of the cabin). Here is the yacht I'm using as reference:
Gaff Rigged 41ft Cutter 1890 William Ferris William Ferris. Yachts sold by classic yacht broker..

One blog I came across seemed to indicate that it was the 'camber' but I've not been able to verify that.

Also, (1) would the ladder steps be referred to as the companionway? (2) As I understand it, the top of the surrounding railing is called the rail and the solid part the bulwark? Or is that only on larger ships? (3) And if two people were sitting on deck chatting while the boat is moored, where would be the likeliest place they'd sit (I'm assuming on the cabin top?)

Any help would be appreciated.

-Sabrina Flynn
 
#5 ·
Hi everyone, I am an author writing a historical mystery and I am hoping you can all help me with a question. Although I've looked and looked, I have not been able to find out what the raised part of a deck is called (the top of the cabin). Here is the yacht I'm using as reference:
Gaff Rigged 41ft Cutter 1890 William Ferris William Ferris. Yachts sold by classic yacht broker..
I don't know the setting in your historical mystery, but I guess you have read the history of the boat.
She was converted to a "Cruiser" in 1913 and is a British built boat.
Boats from others parts of the world would have looked different.

One blog I came across seemed to indicate that it was the 'camber' but I've not been able to verify that.
Cabin top seems to be the correct term

Also, (1) would the ladder steps be referred to as the companionway?
companionway Ladder.

(2) As I understand it, the top of the surrounding railing is called the rail and the solid part the bulwark?
Correct.

(3) And if two people were sitting on deck chatting while the boat is moored, where would be the likeliest place they'd sit (I'm assuming on the cabin top?)
In the Cockpit or maybe at the cabin top or maybe they carried small foldable chairs.
I would guess that it would depend of the weather / wind.

around 1900 and well into that century yachts like "LITTLE WINDFLOWER" often had payed hand(s) (aka crew).
They slept in the bunks forward and where not supposed to mingle with the owner and the guests.
The crew would often stay at the bow out of way for the owner/guests.
 
#10 ·
I don't know the setting in your historical mystery, but I guess you have read the history of the boat.
She was converted to a "Cruiser" in 1913 and is a British built boat.
Boats from others parts of the world would have looked different.

around 1900 and well into that century yachts like "LITTLE WINDFLOWER" often had payed hand(s) (aka crew).
They slept in the bunks forward and where not supposed to mingle with the owner and the guests.
The crew would often stay at the bow out of way for the owner/guests.
Thanks for your reply! The mystery is set in 1900 San Francisco. And the yacht in question is supposed to have been built by a local family of Portuguese boat builders in Sausalito as a sea going vessel. I'm mostly using the Little Windflower as a reference. Would a boat like this be described as a cruiser instead of a cutter then? And do you happen to know if these types of yachts had some kind of engine installed as early as 1890s? I know they had steam powered launches and such at the time period, but not sure in a boat like this.

And thanks for reminding me about my crew question. Would it be possible to single-hand a boat like this for a short trip? From the other forums and research I read, it seemed like it would be possible by an experienced sailor. And I read up on Joshua Slocum sailing the Spray around the world single-handed.
 
#6 ·
I can't get the picture of the yacht in question to open.

It sounds like you are referring to the coachroof, which is the raised part of the deck that allow for a higher headroom inside the cabin.

Yes, the steps from the cockpit into the cabin is the companionway.

The raised area around the cockpit may be referred to as the coaming, although, most use the term to refer to an accent piece on top of what is the coaming.

People ordinarily sit on deck in the cockpit. Although, in some new boats this has been enlarged, as on ours, and the term 'deck salon' has been coined.

I hope I got the questions correct, I couldn't see the pic.
 
#7 · (Edited)
The cabin-top is properly referred to as the "coach roof". Folks might sit on the coach-roof but, considering it's exposure, not too often. The rail around the stern of a ship is know as the "taffrail", sometime elaborately carved. The rail around the remainder of the ship atop the bulwarks is properly a "cap-rail". The entry to a yacht accommodation from the deck is a "companionway". There are no stairs on a yacht but if there are steps to the sole within the accommodation from the companionway, they are referred to as the/a "companionway ladder" (there may be more than one). People might sit together anywhere on deck but are most often found in the cockpit where they likely have some sun protection and can lean back against the "combings" that commonly extend aft from the sides of the coach-house on either side of the cockpit and are intended to deflect seas that make it on deck away from the cockpit crew.

FWIW...
 
#8 ·
The coach roof is more properly termed the "trunk" or "cabin trunk".

"Companioway steps/ladder" are commonly shortened to "companionway"

Suggest you check out the "Surveyors Lexicon"

or buy

The Sailors Word Book, Admiral W.H. Smyth, ISBN 1-897030-05-3

PS. Don't ever refer to a "salon", that will nail you in a heartbeat. the proper term is "saloon".
 
#17 ·
Sabiny101, are you a local SF writer? If so, and you still in the writing/research stage at Memorial Day, might I suggest you go over to Encinal Yacht Club in Alameda on that Saturday afternoon when the Master Mariner yachts tie up after their regatta. Whereas the Alma is the only boat from the 1880-90s that still actively races, there are plenty of examples of yachts from the turn of the century and the skippers and crews are quite sociable and would be happy to answer questions and show you around their boats. Purely pleasure boats of that vintage tend to be much smaller than 40 foot. A 40 footer would tend to be a schooner or ketch. You could possibly “Jib ‘n Jigger” a big ketch single handed and would be more than enough sail to get from Sausalito to San Francisco (or anywhere in the Bay for that matter).
 
#20 ·
Sabiny101, are you a local SF writer? If so, and you still in the writing/research stage at Memorial Day, might I suggest you go over to Encinal Yacht Club in Alameda on that Saturday afternoon when the Master Mariner yachts tie up after their regatta. Whereas the Alma is the only boat from the 1880-90s that still actively races, there are plenty of examples of yachts from the turn of the century and the skippers and crews are quite sociable and would be happy to answer questions and show you around their boats. Purely pleasure boats of that vintage tend to be much smaller than 40 foot. A 40 footer would tend to be a schooner or ketch. You could possibly "Jib 'n Jigger" a big ketch single handed and would be more than enough sail to get from Sausalito to San Francisco (or anywhere in the Bay for that matter).
I am a local, GeorgeB. And that sounds like an excellent plan (not to mention a lot of fun)! I'll definitely put that down on my schedule to check out. Unfortunately, I will be passed my research stage, but the majority of scenes that take place on the boat is while its moored. In the first book, at any rate. For the next ones, I will definitely have to tour a real one, and probably take a sailing class.
 
#23 ·
Something else to think about (or not), the boat you are using as a model would certainly be considered to be a yacht in finish and purpose. A yacht at the time would likely have had paid crew. Building yachts requires additional skills beyond what would be needed to build a working boat (either could cross oceans if stout enough). Without knowing anything about the Portuguese boat builders I don't know which they would build, but I suspect it would be more of a workboat than a yacht.

BTW, have you looked at the Voyage of the Snark by Jack London. It is a non-fiction book about the building of his 45' yacht and subsequent voyage to the South Pacific. The Snark was built in Oakland and its launch was delayed by the 1906 earthquake. Probably a boat very much like the one you want.
 
#27 ·
Something else to think about (or not), the boat you are using as a model would certainly be considered to be a yacht in finish and purpose. A yacht at the time would likely have had paid crew. Building yachts requires additional skills beyond what would be needed to build a working boat (either could cross oceans if stout enough). Without knowing anything about the Portuguese boat builders I don't know which they would build, but I suspect it would be more of a workboat than a yacht.

BTW, have you looked at the Voyage of the Snark by Jack London. It is a non-fiction book about the building of his 45' yacht and subsequent voyage to the South Pacific. The Snark was built in Oakland and its launch was delayed by the 1906 earthquake. Probably a boat very much like the one you want.
I've not read that book yet, but will put it on my list. I love Jack London's books. I'm currently reading Sea Wolf.
 
#24 ·
"The Sailor's Word Book" free download

Jack London's ketch, the Snark, as killarney mentioned built just before the '06 quake, had a gasoline engine that failed before they left San Francisco for Hawaii. London's "The Cruise of the Snark" will give you period local color if you can use it. Click the title to read/download it for free.

Many yachts of the time carried folding deck chairs, so your people can put up a fly & sit pretty much anywhere.

Need a test audience/proof-reader? We're here. :)
 
#29 ·
WRT deck chairs, the pictures of that boat show a tiny cockpit, crowded foredeck, and the cabin trunk overhung by the boom. You'd need to be a midget in a mighty short chair to sit under that boom, and even swinging it outboard wouldn't leave a lot of clear space.

I'd vote for the crowded cockpit as being the most practical space to sit in.
 
#30 ·
Hi all,

Just wanted to thank you again for answering my questions. My book was released today and I made sure to include Sailnet in acknowledgements. If anyone is interested in checking it out, here is a link with more information: New Release: From the Ashes | Of This And That

And if anyone happens to read it and finds any sailing errors, please feel free to let me know and set me straight.