[bolger] Re: Post #1418 & others; A letter to a friend.
Dear Steve,
Thank you for forwarding to me, the exchange between Bolger/Altenberger
and a builder of the AS-29 along with the related 'fall-out'. I must
say though, that I found it all most distressing.
Having seen all to many times the manner in which designers and their
designs are 'tortured' by builders, I sometimes wonder why they bother
at all. I have written many times about my feelings regarding altering
designs and I think you know how strongly I am opposed to the idea.
Much of how I feel comes down to personal responsibility or lack
thereof.
My geatest concern is that the genius of some of the best designers out
there will eventually become unavailable to the likes of you and me; as
in the case of Tom Colvin's schooner.
Colvin designed a beautiful steel schooner for himself. Articles were
written and the public got to see what he had done. However; he would
not sell the plans and as far as I know never has. Colvin said that too
many times builders change and alter his designs and in so doing
removed themselves and their boats from him technically, structurally
and philosophically. What they end up with is no longer his design. The
worst part of all this is that the bastardized design remains
attributed to Colvin and further when the finished boat fails to
perform as the builder had hoped ... they blame THE DESIGNER !!! So
much for personal responsibility and now you and I are 'out' one good
design.
It is also a curious condition that so many builders buy 'stock' plans
and expect the services of the designer as if they had commissioned
(and paid for) a custom designed vessel. Is it really fair to expect a
designer's time, much less 'enthusiasm' when - A.) They are asked
questions about changing a design to which they have given great
thought, time and their best effort? And, B.) It is PRESUMED that they
are not only willing but happy to do so simply for the 'joy' of it and
their love of boats? The notion is absurd ... disrespectful, at best!
Often, builders get so caught up in their own enthusiasm for the
project at hand that they lose sight of the fact that designer are
professionals trying to make a living. They should be compensated as
any other professional would be. I am fasinated by the perspective of
many, that when they buy a set of plans for a boat, the designer
becomes indentured to them. Something along the lines of : "Enclosed
please find my check to you in the amount of $----, at least partial
payment for your time to correspond with me. Please bill me for any
additional fees", has always gone a long way in my many dealings with
designers over the years. Don't they deserve it?
Your e-mail and attachments arrived by chance on the same day that I
received a letter (four single spaced pages) from Pete and Annie Hill.
So it was with amusement and a smile that I read the references to them
and 'Badger' in the postings you sent to me, particularly pertaining to
their use of the Junk Rig and the application of same to the AS-29.
Annie and Pete are friends of mine and I have sailed on 'Badger' more
than once. As most people know these are individuals who SAIL! 160+
days at sea in 1998 alone, including two Atlantic crossings in six
months. I know of no other sailors who have as much experience with
this particular rig (junk schooner) on a boat of this type and size. It
is worth noting that Pete and Annie built 'Badger', rig aside ... 'to
plan'. The winged keel was installed after they had sailed the boat
some distance. The reason they went to the new keel were; they felt it
would improve windward performance and as it was a manufacturer's
'second', they got it at a favorable price. The rig needed all the help
it could get to windward and I think Pete would tell you so. Down wind,
Annie told me in her letter, at about 6 kts. yawing makes for an
uncomfortable ride and cooking below a challenge. So, with the wind up
and a bit of sea running, speed has to be kept to 5 kts. or less for
comforts sake. This, a frustration to Pete who would prefer to 'press
on', comfort (and food?) be damned.
So, now I ask myself; is this motion a function of the rig? Keel? Hull
shape? All of the above? I really don't know. I'm not smart enough to
know and I don't have experience ... and that's the point. A smart
builder will defer to the designer with knowledge and experience beyond
his OR as Pete and Annie are now doing ... build a boat of their own
design. Rest assured that when 'China Moon'
(working name) is finished, Pete and Annie will take full
responsibility for her virtues and faults. We can expect an honest
appraisal from an experienced and knowledgeable perspective. Phil
Bolger has never done less. Infallible? No. Appeal to the 'masses'? Who
cares. Honest and forthright? I think so.
If builders more carefully examined a particular design and evaluated
it's potential within the parameters of the INTENT OF THE DESIGN,and
listened to the experienced opinions of the designer, there would be a
lot less 'squawking' after the fact. Again; personal responsibility.
All the best for the New Year, Steve. I'm looking forward to sailing in
company so carry on my friend.
Cheers, Bennett
Thank you for forwarding to me, the exchange between Bolger/Altenberger
and a builder of the AS-29 along with the related 'fall-out'. I must
say though, that I found it all most distressing.
Having seen all to many times the manner in which designers and their
designs are 'tortured' by builders, I sometimes wonder why they bother
at all. I have written many times about my feelings regarding altering
designs and I think you know how strongly I am opposed to the idea.
Much of how I feel comes down to personal responsibility or lack
thereof.
My geatest concern is that the genius of some of the best designers out
there will eventually become unavailable to the likes of you and me; as
in the case of Tom Colvin's schooner.
Colvin designed a beautiful steel schooner for himself. Articles were
written and the public got to see what he had done. However; he would
not sell the plans and as far as I know never has. Colvin said that too
many times builders change and alter his designs and in so doing
removed themselves and their boats from him technically, structurally
and philosophically. What they end up with is no longer his design. The
worst part of all this is that the bastardized design remains
attributed to Colvin and further when the finished boat fails to
perform as the builder had hoped ... they blame THE DESIGNER !!! So
much for personal responsibility and now you and I are 'out' one good
design.
It is also a curious condition that so many builders buy 'stock' plans
and expect the services of the designer as if they had commissioned
(and paid for) a custom designed vessel. Is it really fair to expect a
designer's time, much less 'enthusiasm' when - A.) They are asked
questions about changing a design to which they have given great
thought, time and their best effort? And, B.) It is PRESUMED that they
are not only willing but happy to do so simply for the 'joy' of it and
their love of boats? The notion is absurd ... disrespectful, at best!
Often, builders get so caught up in their own enthusiasm for the
project at hand that they lose sight of the fact that designer are
professionals trying to make a living. They should be compensated as
any other professional would be. I am fasinated by the perspective of
many, that when they buy a set of plans for a boat, the designer
becomes indentured to them. Something along the lines of : "Enclosed
please find my check to you in the amount of $----, at least partial
payment for your time to correspond with me. Please bill me for any
additional fees", has always gone a long way in my many dealings with
designers over the years. Don't they deserve it?
Your e-mail and attachments arrived by chance on the same day that I
received a letter (four single spaced pages) from Pete and Annie Hill.
So it was with amusement and a smile that I read the references to them
and 'Badger' in the postings you sent to me, particularly pertaining to
their use of the Junk Rig and the application of same to the AS-29.
Annie and Pete are friends of mine and I have sailed on 'Badger' more
than once. As most people know these are individuals who SAIL! 160+
days at sea in 1998 alone, including two Atlantic crossings in six
months. I know of no other sailors who have as much experience with
this particular rig (junk schooner) on a boat of this type and size. It
is worth noting that Pete and Annie built 'Badger', rig aside ... 'to
plan'. The winged keel was installed after they had sailed the boat
some distance. The reason they went to the new keel were; they felt it
would improve windward performance and as it was a manufacturer's
'second', they got it at a favorable price. The rig needed all the help
it could get to windward and I think Pete would tell you so. Down wind,
Annie told me in her letter, at about 6 kts. yawing makes for an
uncomfortable ride and cooking below a challenge. So, with the wind up
and a bit of sea running, speed has to be kept to 5 kts. or less for
comforts sake. This, a frustration to Pete who would prefer to 'press
on', comfort (and food?) be damned.
So, now I ask myself; is this motion a function of the rig? Keel? Hull
shape? All of the above? I really don't know. I'm not smart enough to
know and I don't have experience ... and that's the point. A smart
builder will defer to the designer with knowledge and experience beyond
his OR as Pete and Annie are now doing ... build a boat of their own
design. Rest assured that when 'China Moon'
(working name) is finished, Pete and Annie will take full
responsibility for her virtues and faults. We can expect an honest
appraisal from an experienced and knowledgeable perspective. Phil
Bolger has never done less. Infallible? No. Appeal to the 'masses'? Who
cares. Honest and forthright? I think so.
If builders more carefully examined a particular design and evaluated
it's potential within the parameters of the INTENT OF THE DESIGN,and
listened to the experienced opinions of the designer, there would be a
lot less 'squawking' after the fact. Again; personal responsibility.
All the best for the New Year, Steve. I'm looking forward to sailing in
company so carry on my friend.
Cheers, Bennett