Vic Carpenter Boats

[rogerwalker007]

I saw a post and a picture of a Sprit on this Forum. I believe that is Robby Weldons old Sprint. When I was 15 I raced against it in my the Sprint my Dad built. Vic made me stay up all night the day before the Hope Island race in 74 or 75 building a new headsail. We won. There were 5 built I believe. Vic built an all varnished one that ended up on the rocks and was then turned into a power boat by one of the guys in the shop. Another was built by Steve VanDam a great guy out of Michigan. The boats were rockets in light air but fell over when it got up. Robie’s had 300lb in the keel and ours had 350. In college my friends and I would strap two coolers to the back and spend weekends terrorizing Georgian Bay.

Great boat but put another 200lb under it.

I believe my family has owned more Vic Carpter sail boats than any other. I also had the most successful Carpenter, a VC 28 called Bad Attitude and my Dad John Walker had a 32. I redesigned the 28 and replaced every single part on it except the sink and the rudder shaft. The redesign included moving the shrouds in 6 inches, putting 3' on the mast, 2.5' on the boom and a bulb on the keel. I ran all the numbers and did a little reiforcing. I sent all the numbers to Vic and asked if he had any advice for me before I loaded her up. He said "Yea! Wear a life jacket". Nothing ever broke and she went on to win many races. 20 years after the rebuild she is still going strong. Great boats all.

RW

[CutOnce]

Great boats and great boat builder. Saw Van Ki Pass once. Beautiful and fast. Nice to see a Lake Huron / Georgian Bay builder get recognition outside our little freshwater world. Wish he was still building and I won the 649.

Tobermory needs to have more Carpenter boats pass through to wash the oily plastic film off the docks. I've been sailing out of the North Bruce for 35 years.

--
CutOnce

[troy2000]

We'd love to see photo's, Roger.

[ancient kayaker]

Vic Carpenter died Jan 25 of this year according to reports on the web. Vic and his wife Hazel moved from Michigan to Parry Sound in Ontario, Canada in 1993. His boats are still being traded and are much sought after.

I was talking to an old acquaintance of his just yesterday and his name came up, so I decided to do a web search and was saddened to read of his recent death, especially as he lived so close to me and I did not have an opportunity to meet him.

There was an article on him by David Lees in The Wooden Boat magazine, issues # 45 & 46, March/April and May/June 1962.

[Paul B]

Originally Posted by ancient kayaker

Vic and his wife Hazel moved from Michigan to Parry Sound in Ontario, Canada in 1993.

Boyhood home of Bobby Orr.

[JosephT]

Originally Posted by ancient kayaker

Vic Carpenter died Jan 25 of this year according to reports on the web.

Very sorry to hear the news. He has obviously left a proud legacy behind.

RIP

[JosephT]

Great article on Vic & Hazel...what a couple.

http://www.cottagecountrynow.ca/cott...article/390130

[ancient kayaker]

Originally Posted by JosephT

Great article on Vic & Hazel...what a couple.

http://www.cottagecountrynow.ca/cott...article/390130

- great news, they have been honored by my son's old college, not far from where I live!

[JosephT]

I tell you what, it would be nice to do an expose on his work and pay him a tribute. He no doubt deserves the recoginition. His work ethic was top notch...and his wife was something else too. What a team they made.

[ancient kayaker]

Originally Posted by JosephT

I tell you what, it would be nice to do an expose on his work and pay him a tribute. He no doubt deserves the recoginition. His work ethic was top notch...and his wife was something else too. What a team they made.

The Wooden Boat magazine article was more about his work than the man himself; reads like getting usable quotes from the guy was like pulling teeth. His work is his heritage and monument, but at least and Hazel he have their name on a Center of Excellence, and I am proud it's in Canada.

I have looked on the web for a similar tribute to Phil Bolger but it seems that our greatest don't always get recognized.

[Jethrow]

Hi Roger.

My memory must be failing me, last time I sailed on the boat it was called "Fuzzy Pink Slippers"

Cheers from Australia

[bahala]

Hello Roger
I bought a Vic Carpenter 31 foot boat of Rogers father a few years ago and i'm still working on her. I go out and race around the barrels at our club every week and after over 50 years the old girl still keeps up. I was very sad to hear of Vics passing everyone of his boats has a spirit of there own. Mine starts to sing to me at 6+ knots.