Express Crusader (Naomi James' old boat)

Bajansailor

Bajansailor

Well-Known Member
Joined
27 Dec 2004
Messages
6,560
Location
Marine Surveyor in Barbados
Visit site
A pal in St Maarten sent me this fine photo today of Express Crusader at anchor there.

ExpressCrusaderatSXM.jpg


My pal mentioned that she is now owned by an Argentinian family, with three little children on board.

I like how they have the mainsheet out of the cockpit, but still manage to have it sheeted to the end of the boom (for maximum leverage). I think she has the trademark Van de Stadt 'keyhole' type companionway with out a sliding companionway hatch, which makes a lot of sense in many ways.

I am just wondering, did Naomi have roller reefing on her headsails when she went around the world single handed? I hope she did!

I think that Express Crusader is a Gallant 53, built by Southern Ocean Shipyard in Poole (who built the High Tensions and Ocean 71s) - wasn't she sailed in the 1968 OSTAR by Les Williams and then called Spirit of Cutty Sark?
I have a book about the 1968 OSTAR, and there is a photo of Spirit of Cutty Sark hammering along to windward under full main and a huge hank on genoa (no roller reefing in those days, apart from Wykeham Martin) - that must have been quite a handful to sail singlehanded!
 
Bajansailor said:
A pal in St Maarten sent me this fine photo today of Express Crusader at anchor there.

ExpressCrusaderatSXM.jpg


I am just wondering, did Naomi have roller reefing on her headsails when she went around the world single handed? I hope she did!
Click to expand...

No she didn't. The reason I know this is because she is SWMBO's (nee James) sister-in-law!

Thanks for posting up the pic. I wouldn't mind a high res copy if you have one please to forward on to Naomi. :)
 
And that's my catamaran in the background. Who is your mate?
 
Giblets said:
No she didn't. The reason I know this is because she is SWMBO's (nee James) sister-in-law!

Thanks for posting up the pic. I wouldn't mind a high res copy if you have one please to forward on to Naomi. :)
Click to expand...

Gosh, Express Crusader must have been a veritable handful for Naomi, especially when changing headsails, never mind that she had a cutter rig rather than sloop.

Re a larger res photo, the one I posted is 570 kb, sorry, but I do not have any larger than that.

Stingo, my pal is Owen, who lives on a 36' clipper bowed ketch called Magic - am sure you know him!
 
Hi I would love to get in contact with you as I bought the boat from Naomi and sailed her to the Carbbean in 1983 then sold her from barbados. Please get in touch I would love to see her if you are ever coming through St Lucia where I live.

Regards

Michael

greenm@candw.lc
 
doug748 said:
Nicely refitted internally as well.

I'm having an emotional wobble here. Some of the snaps seem to show an aft cockpit and some a centre cockpit?
Click to expand...

Looking at the posted plans, there must have been a centre cockpit ketch variant. I think the dodger in front of the doghouse (not in OP's image) is for keeping the large saloon hatches/skylights dry.
 
ronsurf said:
I have an old fashioned paper copy of her book if anyone wants it
Click to expand...

So have I, but I wouldn't part with it - I still pick it up and read it if I want to be inspired!
A remarkable woman.
ps title is "At one with the sea". Recommended reading for everybody, not just sailors!
 
She is currently in discussions with various people about making a film of her voyage so I have let her know that Express Crusader is up for sale. :encouragement:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top