Who Did The Peep Hen

[Sean Herron]

Hello...

Who designed the Peep Hen produced by Florida Bay Boat Company...

Do production moulds still exist some where...

Thanks in advance...

SH.

[Frosty]

Ive never been to Canada ,--is it nice.

[sal's Dad]

Most or all of the Hens were by Reuben Trane. Good information is available on the Yahoo HensNest group http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Hensnest/ .

Also http://peephens.org/

Bob Hicks has been running some of the vintage Hen ads recently, in MAIB. From the PeepHens site:

The PEEP HEN is never going to be accused of being pretty. Her lines are the result of packing a lot of full sized features into a micro sized vessel. In spite of her small size, the PEEP HEN is, in fact, a true cruising boat.

Let's start down below: The cabin has more than 4' of headroom so you can sit, relax and lean back without hitting your head (something really unusual in a small boat). Any cruising boat needs a place to sleep. The Peep Hen has two good quarter berths (one of which is over 6'6" with 2' of knee clearance.)

A cruiser (or even a daysailer that's used for more than an hour or so) needs some sort of plumbing facilities and the place to use it. The Peep Hen has room in the cabin to use a Porta Potti, cedar bucket or what have you (in complete privacy from the cockpit and without disturbing either berth occupant), and room to stow it under the cockpit floor out of sight, out of the way.

The Peep Hen comes complete with a galley counter big enough to handle a camp stove with room left over for food preparation, a 25 quart ice box, dry storage space for groceries and cooking utensils, and even the kitchen sink. In the forepeak is room to stash a couple of duffels during the day, and sleeping gear can be kept at the foot of the bunks. In other words, everything has its place aboard a Peep Hen, and even in full cruising trim, the interior need not look like an overfilled gunny sack bursting at the seams.

Now for the exterior of the Peep Hen; the place where most sailors are likely to spend the majority of their time while sailing (or cruising). The cockpit seats are designed to fit full sized adults (it is a common myth that most small boat sailors are small people) so they will be comfortable for a full day's sail or an afternoon's lounging at anchor. The self-bailing foot well is low enough to provide good leg room. the seats are wide enough to sun bathe on (the starboard one is 6'6" long) and the coamings are high enough to give good back support. A cutout below the starboard seat has room for a cooler(within easy reach of the helms person) and a gas can. To port, a notch in the transom lets you use a short shaft motor, real easy to get at.

Foreward, we have recessed the deck. This gives you a secure place to handle lines, a good spot to stow the anchor, and a special place for kids to ride (a couple of corks in the scuppers and several buckets of sea water convert the well to a hot tub).

Finally, any cruiser needs a manageable rig, especially if she is to be single handed. This is an area where the Peep Hen shines. Her single gaff sail is quickly raised, lowered or reefed without going on deck; one simply stands in the companionway to handle the halyards and jiffy reefing lines. Her free standing mast is mounted in a tabernacle (mast hinge) making raising or lowering a breeze (even in the water) for even the clumsiest of us sailors. (My 10 year old son can do it unaided). When lowered, the boom and the mast rest on the boom gallows, the sail still furled on the boom. The Peep Hen can be launched, rigged, sail raised, ready to cast oft in under 10 minutes, single handed.

A word about options. A Bimini top with full sitting headroom is available giving ample protection from the elements. Add to this the Summer Cabin and the cockpit becomes a bright, airy main salon, or guest stateroom. Our stainless swim ladder bolts to the starboard transom and swings up when not in use. The sailcover can be used both with the mast raised or lowered in trailering position and will give you the maximum life for your sail.

Probably the best part is how much fun the Peep Hen can be. Her simplicity means less time spent working and more time spent sailing. With only one sail to handle, the crew need only sit back and enjoy; the skipper needn't bark orders at every tack, he simply puts the helm over and the Peep quickly responds. With only 9" of draft, she can sneak into the coziest of harbors, away from those sailors restricted by their deeper draft vessels. She is safe for the beginner. In the event she tips over, the Peep Hen quickly rights herself; what little water comes aboard quickly drains from her cockpit.

In spite of her micro size, the PEEP HEN is maxi in features; her comfort, handiness, safety and simplicity are unsurpassed by any other micro cruiser.

[Frosty]

What a stupid name,---- hey everybody I just bought a new yacht, Oh ,what did you buy? -- a Peep Hen.-----A what?

[sal's Dad]

*****.

[Frosty]

Thanks for the neg points Sals Dad. I guessed it was you,--I recognised your wording skills. Now then!! --shall I deduct from you thats the question? The thing is if I did it would wipe out probably half of you points because I have been here so long. I could'nt do that to you, Im not that kind.

I still think its a stupid name. Surley you must agree a better name could be had?

[alan white]

Doesn't the Peep Hen have a box keel that lowers the cabin sole to within a couple of inches of full draft?

[sal's Dad]

I'm not sure that this 14' "pocket cruiser" would qualify as a "yacht" in most peeple's minds. And given the advertisements and out-of-the box design approach, a light-hearted name was exactly right.




Trane wrote:

As for the other names. I did consider leaving the Hen behind and coming up with more "normal" names. Didn't do it tho. Next was the Bay Hen (formerly the "Lightfoot"), then the Mud Hen, the Peep Hen, the Summer Hen, the Sand Hen (formerly the "Bahama Sandpiper"), the Sand Hen, the Queen Hen, etc. Some of these saw only one unit built. Others a couple. But most were Marsh Hens, Mud Hens, Bay Hens and of course the Peep.

"Of all my hens, I like the Peep best!

As to the box keel, my guess is the soles of your feet will be within about 1/2" of a sandy bottom. when you ground her out.

[artemis]

Originally Posted by Frosty

... I still think its a stupid name. Surley you must agree a better name could be had?

You're not a septic (although you could qualify without any effort whatsoever) so you wouldn't understand. When you're from an illiterate, third world country and can't even afford shoes to wear (I mean, you don't wear them, so obviously you can't afford them) you can hardly be expected to understand the subtle nuances of self-deprecating advertising.

hey mate I grew up going to schule shuless, and am still that way, mind you, there is no dog muck here,a s they have in Pommy land where they even let the buggers sleep on their beds
Shoeless is healthy

Originally Posted by Frosty

Thanks for the neg points Sals Dad. I guessed it was you,--I recognised your wording skills. Now then!! --shall I deduct from you thats the question? The thing is if I did it would wipe out probably half of you points because I have been here so long. I could'nt do that to you, Im not that kind.

I still think its a stupid name. Surley you must agree a better name could be had?

yeh well Frosty I can remember when Jeff booted you out and I pleaded to let you back, even gave you points, but you still have a bee in your bonnet

[Frosty]

Originally Posted by artemis

You're not a septic (although you could qualify without any effort whatsoever) so you wouldn't understand. When you're from an illiterate, third world country and can't even afford shoes to wear (I mean, you don't wear them, so obviously you can't afford them) you can hardly be expected to understand the subtle nuances of self-deprecating advertising.

An illiterate third world country???? yeah well the UN came and dug us a new well last week and the goat had babies. At least I dont have to carry those big jars of water from the river anymore. Damn those mosquitios half the village is dying, I lle have to go and mix my saliva with some special leaves from the rain forrest to make some medicine with. I wish I lived in America or even better next door to Lazy. He will look after me when Im in trouble.

[artemis]

Originally Posted by Frosty

... He will look after me when Im in trouble.

So will I, Frosty. After all, you come from the town in "Last of the Summer Wine" and think Nora Baty is OK. You're obviously good people!

[Sean Herron]

Hello...

I no longer care - The peep had a crazy hollow in its bow and a stupid keel arrangement - I will do my own - I may post up...

It will be brilliant and will make me many dimes - if it does not - I will carry on stealing and then roasting corn under this here bridge - SEND PROPANE - the wife kicked me loose...

ZZ Top - Chevrolet...

Does anyone remember - Mott The Hoople...

To hell with the Peep Hen - it can be improved upon...

SH.

[Frosty]

Im going to have to remember what I say ,--you people remember far too much.