Boat experts, or otherwise

Robert Wilson

Robert Wilson

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23 May 2012
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Location
Second Coast, Ross-shire, overlooking Gruinard Bay
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I am seeking information regarding the Javelin30.
I bought mine (Khamsin of Northney, built circa 1980) two years ago from a charming man in Derby.
I solo-sailed her up from Dunstaffnage Marina, near Oban to my base in Loch Ewe. Hadn't sailed for 30 years, took four days in perfect SW winds. Magic trip. And a magic boat.
Now enjoy sailing her around The Summer Isles, Inner Sound and further afield.
But I am IN THE DARK. I know so little about the marque, other than Marcon built them circa 1970/80

CAN ANYBODY HELP ME WITH INFO, PLEASE?
Any more out there? Technical wheezes, saling tips, rigging etc, etc.
 
Few basic details here: http://sailboatdata.com/viewrecord.asp?class_id=3868

I found out quite a bit about my class of boat simply by regularly doing a Google search e.g. "Javelin 30" (the quotes are important) and setting the search to only the last month. I didn't find out the underwater profile from any of those currently on sale on the web, but she looks like a very sea kindly design and should excell to windward. Marcon are famous for heavy layup fo their boats, although most have now reached the age where you may experience some chalking of the gelcoat - don't keep cutting it back, or you'll eventually run out of gelcoat. Shine it up and then apply some wax polish every year to protect it.

Rob.
 
Robert . I was one of the responders to the second link that was quoted and would have suggested you contacted the Mike Fawcett(owner of Scrambler) that I mentioned. Sadly he recently passed away.
He was very keen racer and contributed to the design of the Mustang, possibly helped sponsor it.
Fred Parker himself had a worldwide reputation for good lookingand competitive yacht designs but also designed motor yachts of considerable size as well. He was also a member of my Sailing club for many years, sadly he too has passed on.
Whilst Mike raced his Javelin it was by no means overstressed, but gear renewed when ever needed; early two-speed winches appeared aboard very early in their design life, and were well used and performance reported upon during their trials.
The Javelin is a strong and soundly constructed boat, wet when beating into a short chop but a good passage maker, less good is the space below as mentioned,though less of a problem for round the cans type sailing, but Mike managed a family of 3 youngsters, and 2 adults, as regular crew from the age of 6+to 10yrs of age!

ianat182
 
Many thanks for your response.
I'm afraid it's part of being on this earth quite a long time that people and boats are fading away.
Mr. Parker certainly did a v good job with his boat designs, especially the Javelin30 - she's so much admired and great fun to sail. I've just had an hour and a half beating hard into a stiff breeze in Gruinard Bay (15 mins from door to cast-off !)
10 Rolls in the Genoa and a first reef in the main. No weather helm and storms across the water.

I hear what you say about wet beating into a short sea, very true, but quite acceptable even just off the wind. The old gentleman who sold me Khamsin said that sailing off was far better than flogging into a strong wind, and also suggested when anchoring in a chop put on a bridle and hold the bows slightly across the wind and chop. Interesting how these little "wrinkles" creep in!

Good luck with your sailing, and safe home to your moorings every time.
Yours
Robert
 
We owned a Mystere which was the Javelin's baby sister. The Javelin was a bit more racy but they were both good boats. They have the narrower sterns of early 70's boats, and thus less accommodation than modern designs but should be good to windward. Actually, my Mystere was very well-mannered downwind, even under spinnaker, so long as I eased off the (adjustable) backstay. She was not very close-winded but made up for it by making little leeway, and was very good on a close fetch. I would expect the Javelin to be similar and have a performance close to a Hustler 30's.

Fred Parker had a characteristic style, which is easily recognised, and his boats have a delightful squirlycue at the end of the cove-line.
 
The Javelin certainly has a narrow stern - and foredeck! As you say, accommodation is tight, but enough room for myself, my fiancee and my labrador. If it's too tight then fiancee will have to stay ashore.........
My Javelin goes well to windward, but not spectacularly, so I think perhaps I have the rig incorrectly set up. Still, it's better than last year, my first season with her.
As you say, just off the wind is very good indeed. And more comfortable. Must be getting old!
I only found out today the relevance of the squirlycue on the bow. I'll think more of it future. Well done FP.

Many thanks for your reply. Good sailing and safe home to your mooring.
 
Robert. as follow-up to your thread you may be interested to know that 'Scrambler is now owned by a YBWforum member 'mpricehugh' The boat has been re-named and is sailed from Portland Marina, and has been remasted and re-engined.
May I suggest that a Personal Message(PM) to him may produce more recent information on the marque and characteristics under a newer rig and engine.


Good sailing!

ianat182
 
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