Hartley & Brookes Norsk 40

[daveyjones]

I am thinking of building a Norsk 40 , a Hartley and Brookes design in ferro. She is a Colin Archer type. Does anyone have any information on the sailing qualities of a vessel like this? I have never sailed on this type and would appreciate hearing from someone who has experience, either of the Norsk 40, or any Colin Archer type. I am hoping to learn something about general sailing characteristics, sea-kindliness, heaving-to, and suitability for single-handed long-distance cruising; all the usual stuff! Thanks in advance, Davey Jones

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[William_H]

Don't build a concrete boat....... not that there is anything wrong with the structure it is just the economics of it all. If the hull costs are 1/3 total costs and you save 1/2 the cost by building in ferro rather than buying a production hull then the total cost savings is 1/6 the price of a production boat.
When you come to sell it and this is likely statistically that your circum dreams may disolve you have very little value cos people are suspicious of ferro.
Then It is far cheaper to buy second hand in F/g than in new and F/g just does not deteriate very much so buy S/H in F/G is the way to go. It means you can get lots of experience to decide if singlehanded long distance is what you want. If you can't afford S/H F/G you probably couldn't afford new ferro so buy smaller. Just one opinion good luck will.

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[Trevethan]

Leaving aside the buildiong mateiral (Personally I thoink a well built ferro boat is a good boat, but the layup is very important and difficult to get right especially if an amatuer), but Collin Archers are very good sea boats.

There are very seaworthy, but their performance is not that great -- but heavy long keelers usually aren't. but in a decent breeze they can crack on,

Most I have seen (in Norway) were gaff cutter ketches. look great.

Designed originally as a lifeboat there are good in a blow, but the double-ended design is less capacious than more modern hulls.

Never been in one under sail -- only engine, and owner (47 foot wooden) said his was more a motorsailer in less than a force 4, but he did say the rig (gaff cutter ketch) was a bit underpowered.

Hope it helps,

Nick



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[Viking]

Hi
Trevethan right we have. it seems alot of Colin Archers over here. In fact I now two owners of them, plus theres another five based over winter in the local museum's 'boat park' along side 'Borgundsnakke' the replaca viking ship sailed by Knox-Johnson to Shetland using the 'viking sun compass' (Discovery channel).
In the old days they were used by the Norwegian Lifeboat service. So the design as some pedigee.

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[Viking]

Re: PS!

PS! Two of my friends are liveing aboard one of the small CA Yes! even up here at 62 27 N 006 12 E in the winter!

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