Gretchen – lbt

About Us‎ > ‎Boats‎ > ‎

Gretchen

‘Gretchen’, originally ‘Reangle‘, was built by Claude Wright at Anglelsea army barracks in 1958-59.  She was donated to the LBT by Joy Phillips.  This very attractive twenty foot sailing cruiser is available for hire by the weekend, or longer periods on a “Bare Boat” basis to experienced sailors who are LBT members. She is built to a design by William Atkin of the United States, and has accommodation for two people. She is gaff – rigged with leeboards that enable her to explore shallow water and use the most sheltered anchorages, while being able to sail well to windward, and avoiding the space consuming presence of a centre board case in the middle of the cabin. She is also provided with a six horse-power outboard motor, with fuel tank, and carries 150 pounds of internal lead ballast.

She is an unusual build with carvel planks over a cold moulded inner skin that is also ribbed.

After her acquisition by the LBT she sat largely unused and as a result suffered considerable degradation with rot extending onto her stem from a galvanised stem fitting on her deck. When she came out of the water for a quick paint and scrape severe problems were found and she has had a new stem replaced, laminated and much stronger than the original.

In addition, the cockpit, which was minimalist to say the least, has been deepened to afford sailors in these southern climes more protection, not to mention the extra space. It will still be a self draining cockpit.

A cooking stove, double mattress, cooking utensils, crockery and cutlery, hand held VHF radio, charts and a pilot book are also provided. Cruising limits are between Hobart and a line from Port Esperance to Partridge Island, but include the anchorages in Great Taylor’s Bay and Port Esperance. Clients need only bring sleeping bags, personal gear and food.

Historical Documents >>
Relaunch of Gretchen (in the middle of a bushfire!!) >>

Find more information about Gretchen at the Atkin and Company site:  http://atkinboatplans.com/Sail/Gretchen.html

Pic from Endra O’May