They call them pro’s …

… for a reason.

Last week I had the pleasure of coordinating a professional photo shoot for my 2017 Alerion 41 brokerage listing. In my experience there is no way to make a poorly maintained boat look good, not matter how talented the photographer. But a great photographer can transform one kind of art (i.e. a floating, obsessively-maintained yacht) into art you’d be truly delighted to hang on your wall.

This is why I called in one of the best photographers I know, Patrick Sykes, to memorialize Serendipity for you, my loyal readers:

Now, in truth there ain’t much for me to do much doing photo shoots except stay out of the way. So I spend that afternoon going through the owner’s manuals. I was particularly interested in two of Serendipity’s features – the Hoyt Jib Boom and the Harken 46RWC self-tailing, electric rewind winches. So indulge me, if you will…

The Hoyt Jib Boom

Alerion Yachts was an early adopter of the Hoyt Jib Boom. What I like most about this feature, particularly in my light-air Long Island Sound waters, is its “light-air extender.” It holds the jib boom out when sailing downwind on light-air days. It uses a small gas spring cylinder under the deck to push, and hold, the jib boom – and the jib clew – out when running.

How does that magic occur? Well, the Jib Boom looks like it’s deck-mounted, but it actually passes through a deck-mounted upper bearing and extends down to rest on a second bearing mounted on the hull structure.  A gas spring cylinder (much like the one you’ll see in Serendipity’s photos, holding up the engine hatch) is also mounted under the deck, with its forward end attached to the arm.

When the jib boom is on centerline, the gas cylinder is fully compressed. When the jib sheet is eased, the cylinder extends and pushes against the arm and the jib boom rotates. Ease the sheet completely, and the cylinder continues to push against the arm, holding the jib boom out, away from the boat.

Downwind, the jib boom becomes a self-tacking whisker pole and makes sailing wing-on-wing a snap. There’s no need to go forward – trim is adjusted from the cockpit using the jib outhaul and sheet. To jibe, just trim the jib sheet until the boom is centered; then snap the jib sheet (or head up/down a little, as the case may be), ease the sheet, and the extender system will push the sail/boom to the other side.

So with the Hoyt Jib Boom, even wing-on-wing, you maintain proper jib leech tension. And in light air, the boom is pushed forward for maximum efficiency.

Overt the years I’ve heard jib booms (as far back as the 1920’s) derided as “deck sweepers” that sailors have to watch out for when they go forward. But to me, they serve as a secure handhold and bracing point when I’m on the bow. I just love the concept.

Cooler than cool, it you ask me.

Harken 46RWC Self-tailing, Electric Rewind

Oh how this would have made my earlier sailing life so much easier – two speeds when either winching in, or easing out! 

If there is a disadvantage to his system, I can’t see it. If you can, by all means launch a flare and I will publish your comments.

In Closing…

Where does all leave us today? Three points to make forthwith:

1) The wonderful new photography can be seen in detail on the just updated Yachtworld listing for Serendipity:

These photos are the clearest proof I can offer you (short of your actual visit) of the kind of open checkbook maintenance that Serendipity has enjoyed. Here is just one of many examples I can offer – she recently had her rig re-painted, in full. Why? Because her owner wanted to eliminate any trace of normal halyard slap against her mast.  We should all maintain our yachts so diligently, no?

2) When you add the Harken’s trimming functionality to Alerion’s Jib Boom self-tacking capability, this Serendipity becomes a true gentlemen’s single-handed yacht.

3) Come see for yourself! To meet me at her Mystic marina, just launch a flare. Or if that is not advisable, I suppose you can just call me at 516-816-1703.

See ya [soon]!

Big Wave Dave