Port Macquarie - twiggy? trimaran

[basil]

Hi Guys'

A question for the Australians? I'm not sure this question hasn't been addressed here before or not, so here goes again. I've just been to Port Macquarie on holiday, and saw a very tired looking tri that looks like a Crowther "Twiggy" on the swing moorings there. Does anyone have any information on the boat? It's a real pity when you see a boat looking so neglected. It really looks as if it needs to go to good home and be resurrected. the boats name is "Johnathon Livingston Seagull"? Not sure if it's a mark 1 or mark 2.

I'm sure I've seen questions about this boat before somewhere on the net . It may even have been here?

Thanks guys

Tony

[catsketcher]

Gday Tony

I used to know JLS a bit in the late 80s. She was the Twiggy I raced against in my own Twiggy - Seabird renamed Twiggy 2. I liked the deck idea as it stopped you doing the unsafe slide down to the fore and aft deck.

As to whether the boat is any good now - I can't say. She was a good boat but my much loved Twiggy is now a basket case due to neglect. If the same has happened to JLS then there is not much hope.

If you can have a look over her do so. Get out a screwdriver and prod away in some corners looking for rot. The sails will probably need replacing as will some rigging and the nets. You won't want to spend much on her to buy as she will cost a few thou to get back sailing.

Sad that she is looking down. My Twiggy took me safely up and down the coast twice and was a great boat for a young single guy.

cheers

Phil

[philby60]

I was just searching round for some info on JLS as I had seen the boat yesterday. It was looking very sad and sorry for itself sitting up on some sort of rough frame on the high bank of the Maria River near The Hatch, just west of Port Macquarie. I couldn't get close enough for a real good look but it wasn't a good sight.
Phil

[brenno]

There is a Mk 2 Twiggy on the yacht sale sites. I have talked to the owners and they have been very easy to talk to. It may need a lot less work than the one you are looking at.
Brendon

[birdboat]

I did not know that there was so much interest in my old twiggy well for those interesterd it is now out of the water as reported by philby60 and I am about to undertake a complete restoration somehing I had planed 10 years ago (never to late I say) but sooner would have cirtainly have been better.

The old Bird has suprised even the best of sceptics and ney sayers.
The cross beams are in good shape as is the rest of the old girl although full inspection has not yet been completed although and I would be kidding myself if I think restoration will be easy I am sure there is quite a few suprises instore for me.
At this stage there is no time frame on the work to be undertaken.

I will keep you all posted and upload some picies when I can work out how.

Thanks for your interest

PS. JLS is a one of a kind twiggy modified by Crowther for the oridginal builder
launched 82 I think.

[CT 249]

The Mk2 design originated, if I recall correctly, from a design done by Lock's old draughtsman John Basden.

John is living at Nabiac, not far from the boat, and doing well designing energy-efficient houses. You could try getting in contact with him through Sunergy Design, as he could have a lot of knowledge about the boat.

[Gary Baigent]

Always liked the Twiggy design .... except for the masthead rig. What is the difference between Mark 1 and 2, CT?

[CT 249]

If I recall correctly the Mk1 was the ply hard-chine design, the Mk 2 was a round-bilge design with more freeboard in the float bows and intended for foam construction. So JLS is easy to tell apart from a Mk 2.

They had mast-aft rigs; no masthead rigs as far as I know.

[Gary Baigent]

CT249, yes, I know the rig was stepped well aft but the headsail was large and the main had a small foot ... so thought it was masthead, maybe it was 7/8ths?

[CT 249]

Between 7/8 and 3/4; I'd say - standard fractional setup.