Skipper 17 info sought

[gweller]

I intend to construct an informative website on the Skipper 17 trailer-sailor. I am looking for any information - history, technical, instruction sheets, publications, experiences, modifications, etc, in short, everything that anybody is willing to contribute. Please contact me if you can help.

 

[Witchfinder]

HI, there was a super forum for skippers but was shut down due to spamming, wish I had printed it all off as there was a weath of information on everything from renewing windows to rigging info, when I get home this weekend I'll look up any info I have and post it. In the process of restoring number 98 single keel myself, phew! ..

 

[Witchfinder]

wish I could spell "wealth" Ho hum....

 

[geoffatstanpit]

My very first boat, sail No 74. Bought 1979 sold 1981 to a chap in Ashlett Creek - and it was still there looking neat and tidy last time I was there in 2003. It is the central single drop keel version, replaced soon after by the double drop keels giving a clear cabin floor. Cracking little boat but not big enough for 3 of us.

 

[MrCramp]

I had one for 10 years, a cracking little boat. Was one of the earlier twin keel versions. Had some good voyages in her and slept in the cockpit under a tent with my two mates in the cabin. The moulds were bought by Morton Boats who manufactured the Eagle 525 from them. Look at this site
http://www.mortonboats.co.uk/

They are an underated boat. My two mates also bought one each, but that was 7 years ago and now we have moved on. Good Luck.

 

[gweller]

Thanks for your replies.
I look forward to more info if you can find it, Old_Gold.
What a superb photo, geoffatstanpit - I will reproduce it in the website if I may.
I am glad of the positive feedback on the boat from MrCramp - it helps me to believe I haven't bought a 'dud'.
What I intend to do in the interim is to go ahead and create the website with what little info I already have, and add to it as I get more info over the coming months. I already have the PBO tests on the Eagle 525, and the PBO article on Trailer Sailers, and although I can't reproduce them for copyright reasons, I can use some of the data in them.
Watch this space for the URL of the website when it goes on line.
Thanks again, guys.

 

[graham]

I was anchored in Porlock Bay a few weeks ago in strong wind debating wether or not the weather was suitable to set off for Cardiff in our 22 Footer. Next minute a mustard brown coloured Skipper 17 went flying past no problem.

Has anyone done any epic voyages in one?

 

[gweller]

Hi graham. I note from your blog that you have an Anderson 22. Did you know it was made by the same boatbuilder - Anderson, Rigden & Perkins Ltd of Whitstable, Kent - as the Skipper 17. Coincidence or what?

 

[xbilly]

Bingo! I saved the defunct Skipper 17 forum as a web archive and can email it to you if you let me know your email address. There is a load of good info from owners.

Great little boats - I've got a twin lifting keel cabin boat which I keep at Chatham, although it really does deserve that refurbishment which I've been promising it all year. Two or three of us sail it a lot out on the estuary and it always feels safe, even when taking a hammering in a considerable blow. Three full sized blokes for the occasional weekend too, with two of us sleeping in the cockpit on the 6' cushioned sidebenches in bivvy bags, and the other inside. The remaining berth holds the wine, food etc.

I also hire a single drop plate dayboat Skipper 17 when we go on holiday to Cornwall every year. It copes with open sea conditions admirably for a small boat.

Great idea, the website. These boats are underated.

Let me know your email and I'll send the forum contents.

George

 

[gweller]

Hi Harry_Tate
I have already made some progress on designing the website, though there are a lot of pages that remain blank. I think I should be able to get it online within a month. Your web archive would be a great addition. Could you email it to me at the following address:
geoff22.weller33@freenet.co.uk NOTE remove the "2"s and "3"s before sending (a precaution to avoid spam engine detection).
I sailed a friend's Skipper 17 (single plate version) on Sunday and was I very impressed at its performance and stability, even though it has sails from an Albacore. I am launching my own boat (twin plate version) tomorrow at Llyn Clywedog (Mid Wales). I hope it performs as well at my mate's boat - if so I shall be well satisfied.
meopham.

 

[graham]

[ QUOTE ]
Did you know it was made by the same boatbuilder - Anderson, Rigden & Perkins Ltd of Whitstable, Kent -

[/ QUOTE ]

No I didnt know that.The Andersons seem to be strongly put together .Mine has stood up to 27 years of use and abuse without suffering too much.Apparently Anderson Rigden And Perkins did a lot of work for the MOD as well yachts.

 

[MrCramp]

I seem to remember that the later version of the Skipper 17 was made by some one else and have a vague recolection that they were made in Wigan, or somewhere in the North West. I would think that Morton Boats, who bought the moulds and renamed the modified boat the Eagle525, would know who made the previous model.

The second model had different windows and I think it had a pronounced step up into the cabin, it was also better finished.

 

[xbilly]

meopham,
Have emailed old forum stuff to you, along with another old forum which you can still view at
<u>http://groups.yahoo.com/group/skipper17/messages/1?l=1</u>
although it degenerates into spam after the late 30's.

Looking forward to seeing the website and, for amusement, here's a picture of my mate at the helm of my Skipper 17 in autumn last year. Well, it was blowy at times, but not as much as Photoshop would seem to indicate /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

(BTW, his missing lifejacket was a temporary aberration).


Regards

George

 

[gweller]

Thanks for the info, george. I'll read and inwardly digest it all before deciding what to incorporate in the website. I also found another group, although there's not much substance in it: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Skipper17helpgroup/
I sailed my own boat (twin plate) today - she seemed to behave identically to my friend's single plate version - fast, stable and forgiving. In the gusts she heels less than my previous boat - an Express Pirate 17 that had 275kg of ballast in the keels. Has anyone ever capsized a Skipper 17?

 

[xbilly]

Skipper 17 website

In case anyone doesn't know, Geoff has now set up the website for Skipper 17 owners and anyone interested in buying a Skipper 17 or owning a Skipper 17.

The address of the Skipper 17 website is:
Skipper 17 website

Thanks, Geoff. You've done a great job for all of us who are interested in these marvellous little boats.

 

[john copsey]

Skipper boats

During the eighties I ran the leisure boat divison of Anderson Rigden and Perkins.

Amongst others we built Skippers for Richmond Marine; I met David Thorpe on many occasions. The range included a sailing surfboard, two clinker hulled dinghies, and the 17, the 21 and the 28.

We build over 50 of the 17s during my time. The 21 was less popular and the throughput was only some 4 or 5 per annum at best. The 28 (a motor sailer) with a very rounded stern, sold only a couple or so per year. It was a pretty heavy craft but a good roomy sea boat.

I recall that David sold the rights (or some other arrangement) to a pair of motor dealers in Cheshire. Their interest was very much in the smaller craft.
At ARP we were asked by the motor dealers to increase the free board on the 17. This was achieved by altering the deck. It made the boat some 5 inches taller and gave it a more solid look. Hence a new deck mould was produced but with no alteration to the hull or interior mouldings.

I still have an original brochure for the 17.

I am a director of a GRP moulder here in Canterbury. If anoyne knows of the wherabouts of the mould tools for the Skippers (17 in particular) we could be intested in re-introducing the boat if we found it to be viable.

I would be pleased to try and answer any quieries on the Skippers. or on the Anderson 22, Microplus range or the Wineglass (other Kirby boats) in the early days.

For information the A22 tools are at Blaxton Boats in Yorkshire, where I know, Maurice Huffey would be pleased to answer enquiries. He has several mould sets for "out of date" sailers, including a version of the Nantucket Clipper.

JOHN COPSEY, MJPC limited (johncopsey@gmx.co.uk)

 

[grillygrips]

In brief I was GM at ARP with Richmond Boats and Anderson 14,22,26. We built around 50 SK17s for David Thorpe and later a company renamed Richmond Boats in Cheshire.

contact me at jc1000@gmx.com if you need more info and photos

John Copsey