Thomaston Galley
The Thomaston Galley gets relatively little popular attention. To my
eye, I am guessing it is not the best to windward. but looks like a
great all around boat.
http://flickr.com/photos/hallman/2433524227/
eye, I am guessing it is not the best to windward. but looks like a
great all around boat.
http://flickr.com/photos/hallman/2433524227/
The TG was of conventional construction, but looks to me like it could be
done stitch and glue if you have the expertise to draft the panels. No
provision for flotation, but it could easily be accomplished--although is is
a wooden boat! Isn't that enough flotation? He gives the option of solid
wood or plywood for the hull.
Bolger says it weighs 140 pounds, stripped. His is the solid wood version.
Plywood might be a little lighter.
At the time he wrote the book (Small Boats) he had one, and Payson had one,
plus a handful of others. He said that he and Payson loved them.
--
John Freeman
Check us out at--
http://2oldkiters.smugmug.com/
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
done stitch and glue if you have the expertise to draft the panels. No
provision for flotation, but it could easily be accomplished--although is is
a wooden boat! Isn't that enough flotation? He gives the option of solid
wood or plywood for the hull.
Bolger says it weighs 140 pounds, stripped. His is the solid wood version.
Plywood might be a little lighter.
At the time he wrote the book (Small Boats) he had one, and Payson had one,
plus a handful of others. He said that he and Payson loved them.
--
John Freeman
Check us out at--
http://2oldkiters.smugmug.com/
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
I never weighed it--maybe 140-150 lbs. Mine was built upside down over molds with a keel and cedar sides--bottom was clued and nailed to the keel, frames/transom and to the edge of the cedar sides--definitely not stitch and glue, but, with no chines, not very conventional.
I think one of Payson's books had expanded bottom plamks, and it might be possible to use this to build a stitch and glue Galley. However, I think you would still need to add and carve the ram or snout. I don't know if the stitch and glue version would self jig or not. Potential builders should note that the floor board consumes a sheet of plywood and requires the support of several floors. If I were to build another, I think building over a mold with plywood planking supported by a keel and chines would be the way to go.
JohnT
I think one of Payson's books had expanded bottom plamks, and it might be possible to use this to build a stitch and glue Galley. However, I think you would still need to add and carve the ram or snout. I don't know if the stitch and glue version would self jig or not. Potential builders should note that the floor board consumes a sheet of plywood and requires the support of several floors. If I were to build another, I think building over a mold with plywood planking supported by a keel and chines would be the way to go.
JohnT
----- Original Message -----
From:pgochnour@...
To:bolger@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Monday, September 03, 2007 6:42 PM
Subject: Re: [bolger] Re: Thomaston Galley
Question for John T ....how much did that Thomaston Galley weigh? Was it
conventional construction or stitch and glue?
Tyson in Galveston
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Hi Bruce,
Bolger told me on the phone once that the sprit rig on his TG went
well to windward, but was annoying, if not dangerous to sail downwind
due to heavy rolling. He said that if I wanted to use such a sail in
Gypsy (the origin of the discussion was to put a rig in Gypsy that
would stow inside the boat - an idea PCB was in favor of), he could
only recommend it if used with a boom.
I think that if I were to build a Thomaston Galley (and I've wanted to
for a long time), I might try the original rig from Gypsy, or maybe a
balanced lug. Dealing with two snotters in a tippy small boat sounds
difficult to me. The mast position in TG would probably limit the
options for other rigs, however.
Better yet, leave off the rig altogether and row it. If that v-shaped
hull goes anything like my Michalak Robote, it should be a joy to row
and easy to make good time even in choppy water.
Jon Kolb
www.kolbsadventures.com/boatbuilding_index.htm
> Here are three quickie isometric renderings of the Thomaston Galley.Nice renderings as usual.
>
>http://flickr.com/photos/hallman/1322596188/
Bolger told me on the phone once that the sprit rig on his TG went
well to windward, but was annoying, if not dangerous to sail downwind
due to heavy rolling. He said that if I wanted to use such a sail in
Gypsy (the origin of the discussion was to put a rig in Gypsy that
would stow inside the boat - an idea PCB was in favor of), he could
only recommend it if used with a boom.
I think that if I were to build a Thomaston Galley (and I've wanted to
for a long time), I might try the original rig from Gypsy, or maybe a
balanced lug. Dealing with two snotters in a tippy small boat sounds
difficult to me. The mast position in TG would probably limit the
options for other rigs, however.
Better yet, leave off the rig altogether and row it. If that v-shaped
hull goes anything like my Michalak Robote, it should be a joy to row
and easy to make good time even in choppy water.
Jon Kolb
www.kolbsadventures.com/boatbuilding_index.htm
Here are three quickie isometric renderings of the Thomaston Galley.
http://flickr.com/photos/hallman/1322596188/
http://flickr.com/photos/hallman/1322596188/
There are decks fore and aft. The photo in Small Boats seems to show
large cutouts in the aft-most bulkhead but you'd be able to close it
off completely and fill the space with plastic bottles or whatever for
floatation, or just leave it empty. You could do the same at the bow
too. There's a shallow watertight well for the outboard motor.
It's meant for plywood construction the old-fashioned way, with
transom, stem and bulkheads set up on a strongback, stringers and a
ply skin glued and nailed to the frame. (Another look at the plans
through the magnifying glass reveals that it was meant to be built
with solid timber planks for the sides. There's a drawing showing
optional plywood sides.)
It looks suitable for being built stitch-and-glue, if you know how to
derive the panel shapes from the offsets, or know someone who does.
Bruce Hallman would advocate building a little carboard model before
you start full-size. I don't know what it weighs; about the same as
any other 15'6" x 4'1" dinghy made of the same material, I guess.
large cutouts in the aft-most bulkhead but you'd be able to close it
off completely and fill the space with plastic bottles or whatever for
floatation, or just leave it empty. You could do the same at the bow
too. There's a shallow watertight well for the outboard motor.
It's meant for plywood construction the old-fashioned way, with
transom, stem and bulkheads set up on a strongback, stringers and a
ply skin glued and nailed to the frame. (Another look at the plans
through the magnifying glass reveals that it was meant to be built
with solid timber planks for the sides. There's a drawing showing
optional plywood sides.)
It looks suitable for being built stitch-and-glue, if you know how to
derive the panel shapes from the offsets, or know someone who does.
Bruce Hallman would advocate building a little carboard model before
you start full-size. I don't know what it weighs; about the same as
any other 15'6" x 4'1" dinghy made of the same material, I guess.
--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, pgochnour@... wrote:
>
> One more question about the T.G. ...any provision for
floatation?
> water-tight compartments or ?
If I recall correctly, my introduction to Phil Bolger's work was a
glowing review of the Thomaston Galley in National Fisherman. My Dad's
boss used to get this publication and would send it along specifically
for me to read. Back then, they'd have lots of articles on interesting
small boats. I specifically remember articles on Hereshoff's Rozinante
and also one by someone who had made a crude little fiberglass sailing
peapod.
Payson's book, Go Build Your Own Boat, has 13 pages of discussion
specifically about the Thomaston Galley, with offsets and plans. Might
be enough info to build, although of course if you get the real plans
they might have some extra information. (When I bought the Brick plans
they had some extra options that I hadn't expected, like an alternate
gaff rig.)
I've seen a Thomaston Galley at the Snow Row in Hull. (And, yes, it was
a pretty cold day in Hull.)
Perhaps we don't see them because it's likely to be more work to build
than an instant boat. Might work better and be worth it if you were
going to use it a lot.
Too angular to look old world to me. More like in your face. But that
can be a good thing around yacht snobs, etc. Just don't enter very many
handicap races with a Bolger boat against yacht snobs. As reported by a
friend, they'll change the handicap on you until you can't win.
glowing review of the Thomaston Galley in National Fisherman. My Dad's
boss used to get this publication and would send it along specifically
for me to read. Back then, they'd have lots of articles on interesting
small boats. I specifically remember articles on Hereshoff's Rozinante
and also one by someone who had made a crude little fiberglass sailing
peapod.
Payson's book, Go Build Your Own Boat, has 13 pages of discussion
specifically about the Thomaston Galley, with offsets and plans. Might
be enough info to build, although of course if you get the real plans
they might have some extra information. (When I bought the Brick plans
they had some extra options that I hadn't expected, like an alternate
gaff rig.)
I've seen a Thomaston Galley at the Snow Row in Hull. (And, yes, it was
a pretty cold day in Hull.)
Perhaps we don't see them because it's likely to be more work to build
than an instant boat. Might work better and be worth it if you were
going to use it a lot.
Too angular to look old world to me. More like in your face. But that
can be a good thing around yacht snobs, etc. Just don't enter very many
handicap races with a Bolger boat against yacht snobs. As reported by a
friend, they'll change the handicap on you until you can't win.
>
> Re: Thomaston Galley
> <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bolger/message/55375;_ylc=X3oDMTJydmFqdXQ1BF9TAzk3MzU5NzE1BGdycElkAzExOTQzNjkEZ3Jwc3BJZAMxNzA1MDY1NzkxBG1zZ0lkAzU1Mzc1BHNlYwNkbXNnBHNsawN2bXNnBHN0aW1lAzExODg4MjUwNzc->
>
>
>
> Posted by: "pgochnour@..."pgochnour@...
> <mailto:pgochnour@...?Subject=%20Re%3A%20Thomaston%20Galley>
> cabezadevacaelpato <http://profiles.yahoo.com/cabezadevacaelpato>
>
>
> Mon Sep 3, 2007 3:26 am (PST)
>
> Thanks for the information, gents...looked at the Boatbuilder web site
> but their index of back issues only goes through 2005...there'
> s an old post on
> the Bolger site from 1999, from someone named Monica who built a
> Thomsaton
> Galley but no details ..there isn't much information on Mr. Payson's
> site about
> the galley, other than that he sells plans for it for 35 bucks....I
> did find
> the photo I had seen...it's of a model of the thing on page 36 of my
> old copy of
> "Instant Boats," by Mr. Payson,and also, as one of you pointed out,
> the lines
> and offsets are in the same book.... have to conclude that the design
> was not
> very popular for one reason or another since evidently not many people
> have
> built it...too bad, cause it's a very interesting looking vessel...has a
> classical, old-world appearance to it...
>
> Tyson in Galveston
One more question about the T.G. ...any provision for floatation?
water-tight compartments or ?
Tyson in Galveston
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water-tight compartments or ?
Tyson in Galveston
**************************************
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Question for John T ....how much did that Thomaston Galley weigh? Was it
conventional construction or stitch and glue?
Tyson in Galveston
**************************************
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conventional construction or stitch and glue?
Tyson in Galveston
**************************************
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The Thomaston Galley was friend Bolger's attempt to design a small boat that
would do everything well--sail, row, and motor. The unusual appearance was
the result of this process, and to everyone's surprise (including, I suspect
Phil himself!) it seemed to work well at all three.
Once upon a time, many years ago, I thought long and hard about building
one, both because Bolger said it works well, and because I really liked the
unusual looks of it. It didn't happen, like so many great ideas in life. I
wish I had done it.
--
John Freeman
Check us out at--
http://2oldkiters.smugmug.com/
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
would do everything well--sail, row, and motor. The unusual appearance was
the result of this process, and to everyone's surprise (including, I suspect
Phil himself!) it seemed to work well at all three.
Once upon a time, many years ago, I thought long and hard about building
one, both because Bolger said it works well, and because I really liked the
unusual looks of it. It didn't happen, like so many great ideas in life. I
wish I had done it.
--
John Freeman
Check us out at--
http://2oldkiters.smugmug.com/
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Thanks for the information, gents...looked at the Boatbuilder web site
but their index of back issues only goes through 2005...there's an old post on
the Bolger site from 1999, from someone named Monica who built a Thomsaton
Galley but no details ..there isn't much information on Mr. Payson's site about
the galley, other than that he sells plans for it for 35 bucks....I did find
the photo I had seen...it's of a model of the thing on page 36 of my old copy of
"Instant Boats," by Mr. Payson,and also, as one of you pointed out, the lines
and offsets are in the same book.... have to conclude that the design was not
very popular for one reason or another since evidently not many people have
built it...too bad, cause it's a very interesting looking vessel...has a
classical, old-world appearance to it...
Tyson in Galveston
**************************************
Get a sneak
peek of the all-new AOL athttp://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
but their index of back issues only goes through 2005...there's an old post on
the Bolger site from 1999, from someone named Monica who built a Thomsaton
Galley but no details ..there isn't much information on Mr. Payson's site about
the galley, other than that he sells plans for it for 35 bucks....I did find
the photo I had seen...it's of a model of the thing on page 36 of my old copy of
"Instant Boats," by Mr. Payson,and also, as one of you pointed out, the lines
and offsets are in the same book.... have to conclude that the design was not
very popular for one reason or another since evidently not many people have
built it...too bad, cause it's a very interesting looking vessel...has a
classical, old-world appearance to it...
Tyson in Galveston
**************************************
Get a sneak
peek of the all-new AOL athttp://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour
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Hi Tyson,
There's a picture of one sailing at page 82 of Dynamite Payson's first
book, "Instant Boats", and a bit of background info about there. At
page 36 there's a photo of 3 models made by Dynamite of Surf, Teal, and
TG lined up together. Lines and offsets are at Page 32.
TG plans are sold by Dynamite as "non-instant" boat plans as it's built
on a strongback etc.
Graeme
There's a picture of one sailing at page 82 of Dynamite Payson's first
book, "Instant Boats", and a bit of background info about there. At
page 36 there's a photo of 3 models made by Dynamite of Surf, Teal, and
TG lined up together. Lines and offsets are at Page 32.
TG plans are sold by Dynamite as "non-instant" boat plans as it's built
on a strongback etc.
Graeme
--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, pgochnour@... wrote:
> ...saw a photo of it once and something about it caught
Tyson,
I may be one of the few to have ever seen one in the wild. A friend
built one to the rowing motoring stage. I almost bought it from him at
that point. $200... great deal, but I wanted to build a boat with my
two sons - just for the experience. I went out with him a few times.
It rowed nicely. The motor he had on it was a little Seagull (the
industrial revolution's best mechanism for converting petrol to vast
quantities and fumes). Motor was so loud it was hard to concentrate on
the boat. Friend moved. Never saw it sail. Looks were slightly odd:
fat butt, pointy nose. My friend was quite knowledgeable about small
boat, and he was very pleased with it.
Cheers,
David Graybeal
Portland, OR
"Just because you are blind and unable to see my beauty doesn't mean
it does not exist" -- Margaret Cho
***************
I may be one of the few to have ever seen one in the wild. A friend
built one to the rowing motoring stage. I almost bought it from him at
that point. $200... great deal, but I wanted to build a boat with my
two sons - just for the experience. I went out with him a few times.
It rowed nicely. The motor he had on it was a little Seagull (the
industrial revolution's best mechanism for converting petrol to vast
quantities and fumes). Motor was so loud it was hard to concentrate on
the boat. Friend moved. Never saw it sail. Looks were slightly odd:
fat butt, pointy nose. My friend was quite knowledgeable about small
boat, and he was very pleased with it.
Cheers,
David Graybeal
Portland, OR
"Just because you are blind and unable to see my beauty doesn't mean
it does not exist" -- Margaret Cho
***************
--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, pgochnour@... wrote:
>
> Howdy ...not a regular here but sometimes read postings on this
site..have
> built two Teals so figure I qualify as at least a Junior Level
> Bolgerista...have been trying to find some photos or other
information about a boat called
> the Thomaston Galley..not able to find much and maybe there's a good
reason for
> that...not sure when and where but saw a photo of it once and
something about
> it caught my eye...any helpful info would be appreciated
>
> Tyson in Galveston
>
>
> **************************************
> Get a sneak
> peek of the all-new AOL athttp://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
I actually built a Thomaston Galley in the early 70's--used it as a row boat for recreation, duck hunting and fishing. It was pleasant to row and had a lot of reserve stability. PCB kept one for awile and expressed a fondness for the boat. He used a similiar hull form for his cartoon of a Ceremonial Barge in BWAOM. However, I note that PCB currently uses a Spur II. Times, styles, and age change, but the Thomaston Galley was a nice boat. Mine perished in a micro burst/mini tornado and I haven't built another.
JohnT
JohnT
----- Original Message -----
From:pgochnour@...
To:bolger@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, September 02, 2007 10:10 AM
Subject: [bolger] Re: Thomaston Galley
Howdy ...not a regular here but sometimes read postings on this site..have
built two Teals so figure I qualify as at least a Junior Level
Bolgerista...have been trying to find some photos or other information about a boat called
the Thomaston Galley..not able to find much and maybe there's a good reason for
that...not sure when and where but saw a photo of it once and something about
it caught my eye...any helpful info would be appreciated
Tyson in Galveston
**************************************
Get a sneak
peek of the all-new AOL athttp://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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Boatbuilder magazine had a 3 part series, start to finish, payson wrote it I believe. 2007 issues.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
It can also be found in "Bolger Boats", ISBN 0-87742-168-4. The book
combines "Small Boats" and "The Folding Schooner".
Howard
--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, Mike Bevington <mike_bevington@...>
wrote:
combines "Small Boats" and "The Folding Schooner".
Howard
--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, Mike Bevington <mike_bevington@...>
wrote:
>Bolger.
> Thomaston Galley is described in ch 8 of _Small Boats_ by Philip
> Out of print but many libraries have it.
Thomaston Galley is described in ch 8 of _Small Boats_ by Philip Bolger.
Out of print but many libraries have it. I recall that it is one of the
boats in _Go Build Your Own Boat_ by Dynamite Payson and available from
his site www.instantboats.com. If so, that book would have complete
building instructions. I don't own that book and so I can't confirm it.
Payson sells the Thomsaston Galley plans for 35.00 so should have more
information on it.
- Mike
pgochnour@...wrote:
Out of print but many libraries have it. I recall that it is one of the
boats in _Go Build Your Own Boat_ by Dynamite Payson and available from
his site www.instantboats.com. If so, that book would have complete
building instructions. I don't own that book and so I can't confirm it.
Payson sells the Thomsaston Galley plans for 35.00 so should have more
information on it.
- Mike
pgochnour@...wrote:
> Howdy ...not a regular here but sometimes read postings on this site..have
> built two Teals so figure I qualify as at least a Junior Level
> Bolgerista...have been trying to find some photos or other information about a boat called
> the Thomaston Galley..not able to find much and maybe there's a good reason for
> that...not sure when and where but saw a photo of it once and something about
> it caught my eye...any helpful info would be appreciated
>
> Tyson in Galveston
>
>
> **************************************
> Get a sneak
> peek of the all-new AOL athttp://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
> Bolger rules!!!
> - NO "GO AWAY SPAMMER!" posts!!! Please!
> - no cursing, flaming, trolling, spamming, respamming, or flogging dead horses
> - stay on topic, stay on thread, punctuate, no 'Ed, thanks, Fred' posts
> - Pls add your comments at the TOP, SIGN your posts, and snip away
> - Plans: Mr. Philip C. Bolger, P.O. Box 1209, Gloucester, MA, 01930, Fax: (978) 282-1349
> - Unsubscribe:bolger-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
> - Open discussion:bolger_coffee_lounge-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
Howdy ...not a regular here but sometimes read postings on this site..have
built two Teals so figure I qualify as at least a Junior Level
Bolgerista...have been trying to find some photos or other information about a boat called
the Thomaston Galley..not able to find much and maybe there's a good reason for
that...not sure when and where but saw a photo of it once and something about
it caught my eye...any helpful info would be appreciated
Tyson in Galveston
**************************************
Get a sneak
peek of the all-new AOL athttp://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
built two Teals so figure I qualify as at least a Junior Level
Bolgerista...have been trying to find some photos or other information about a boat called
the Thomaston Galley..not able to find much and maybe there's a good reason for
that...not sure when and where but saw a photo of it once and something about
it caught my eye...any helpful info would be appreciated
Tyson in Galveston
**************************************
Get a sneak
peek of the all-new AOL athttp://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]