70.8%: Minimalist Cruising part 8, Atalanta Et Al

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Minimalist Cruising part 8, Atalanta Et Al

courtesy Joann

courtesy Gavin Atkin, intheboatshed

courtesy Joann

courtesy Joann

Gavin Atkin over at intheboatshed brought these boats to light today. Built by the legendary British yard Fairey Marine both the Atalanta and her slightly larger spinoff Titiana would serve well as minimal cruisers.The series started in 1955 and it's a model of the streamlined thinking of that period- soft curves, but these may add seaworthiness. That said, these look like very interesting cruising boats, with a center cockpit and small aft cabin, perfect for the singlehander. They were hot moulded, using the technology from the war years. In fact, Fairey was responsible for many aircraft built during WWII using this same method. It's a lovely boat, full of soft curves . Not many iterations were built but you might pick one up. Put a junk rig on her and sail around. The harbor, the island, the world. Click the here to reach the owners group.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...: A very interesting design. It looks like it just crashed into the Hudson River. OK, it is missing the wings.

I wonder how much reserve stabilty they lose due to the tumblehome. I would think that in a boat that size, losing any deck space might not be entirely a good thing.

Then again, the design is distinctive with a certain style of its own, which is all good.; February 9, 2009 at 8:58 AM
Mike Silvius said...: you seen these ones:
http://www.microcruising.com/

http://www.microcruising.com/plans1.htm

http://home.alltel.net/ifida/home.alltel.net_000001.htm

http://www.little.jim.freeuk.com/little_jim/little_jim.htm

http://www.freewebs.com/paradoxbuild/

Michael; February 10, 2009 at 7:25 PM
Unknown said...: The stern reminds me of some of the vintage wooden Chris Craft speedboats.; February 10, 2009 at 8:14 PM
c.c.o'h. said...: One of my favorite early yacht designs – Uffa Fox, no? Thanks for the pictures of it.; February 10, 2009 at 9:59 PM
Thomas Armstrong said...: My pleasure, Creed. Thanks to all who've commented, webloggers love comments. To isserfiq: see older posts on micrcruising series. I have written about David and Mindy at microcruising and about Matt Leydan.; February 10, 2009 at 11:47 PM
Thomas Armstrong said...: Creed, the project was concieved by Alan Vines, an exec. at Fairey and "supervised" by Uffa, according to Gavin. I suppose he ran the show but didn't actually do the design work. Fox is an interesting figure, should probably write about him.; February 10, 2009 at 11:56 PM