"Crystal" design by Frederick Shepherd

[D_H_Grainger]

\"Crystal\" design by Frederick Shepherd

I have an American friend, a skilled boat-builder, who would like to build a yacht to the same design as "Crystal".

She was designed by Frederick Shepherd in (I think) the early '30s and her lines and layout plans appeared in Uffa Fox's book "Sailing, Seamanship and Yacht Construction" published by Peter Davies of London in 1934.

Does anybody know the whereabouts or availability of a full set of plans for this very attractive yawl?

GraveDanger

 

[Mirelle]

Well, I know where \"Crystal\" herself is...

Her owner posts on this board!

eg here

and having had the pleasure of a sail aboard "Crystal", I can confirm that she is an excellent design and sails really well.

 

[D_H_Grainger]

Re: Well, I know where \"Crystal\" herself is...

Mirelle,

Thanks for the info - I will try to make contact,

Rgds

 

[Colin_S]

Re: Well, I know where \"Crystal\" herself is...

A pic of aforementioned vessel on the Thames last spring

 

[D_H_Grainger]

Re: Well, I know where \"Crystal\" herself is...

Colin,

Thanks very much for the picture - I hope you don't mind but I have copied and E-mailed it to my American friend.

 

[Kristal]

Re: Well, I know where \"Crystal\" herself is...

Thanks, Colin, for posting that picture with the port backstay erroneously set!! If Francis Fletcher is still posting on here, I shall get another week of abuse... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Sorry, I haven't posted in a while - some rather troubling difficulties mean Crystal and I haven't spent any time together over the winter. She is, however, now on her way back to London and I'd be more than happy to give you access to her if your friend requires a closer look. Also, any questions I can answer, please don't hesitate to contact me.

 

[LScarbrough]

Re: Well, I know where \"Crystal\" herself is...

Hello Grave Danger and Kristal,

I just found this forum site fooling around on the web. I am the American friend who is building Crystal. I have worked about 14 months, mostly alone, and am a bit over halfway planked. Keel and forekeel are Angelique, most of the deadwood is local locust, along with the stem, and the planking is Wana (a form of mahogany) for the garboard and first broad, the remainder of planking being Atlantic White cedar. I shall weigh and balance the boat near the end of completion to determine location and amount of lead. So far the weight is only about 1500 lbs.

I did the lofting working only from the plans if Uffa Fox's book.

I understand Fred Shephard did at over 100 yrs old. Olin Stevens, arguably Americas greatest yacht designer of the 20th century, passed away last week at a similar age. I figure I should get serious about this boat design stuff.

The picture on this site is great, as I have not before seen a shot of her sailing. I am using a similar rig to the picture, but with larger mizzen and headsails relative to the main.

In lieu of coming to London (would make a great excuse for a trip tho), Kristal, do you think you could take a series of pictures, inside and out, and send them to me, Lee Scarbrough, at 150 Bank St., Harwichport, MA, 02646?