Triton Conversion

[c_amos]

This thread is becoming more and more disturbing with every post... :cool:

[frank durant]

What ever happened to boats with a 'soul' ??

[Wildcat]

here ya go. i give you: Rowdy.

[frank durant]

now that's a daysailor!!!

[MRH]

I had originally decided to replace my Commander with a Bridges Point 24' before giving in to the cruising comforts offered by the Nonsuch 26'. The Bridges Point is now approx. $65,000 with a diesel, $55,000. with an outboard well.

Wade Dow is a straighforward guy who builds a beautiful boat. I would not hesitate to work with him if my plans included a "new" Commander.

Mike Hoff

Commander #131
Francine

[commanderpete]

I wish I could find a decent picture of the Bridges Point. I'm sure its a beauty.

Some pictures of the Schock Harbor 25 here

http://www.santanasailboats.com/boats/harbor25/harbor25photos.htm

BP24

[MRH]

Here are a few pictures of a Bridges Point 24 on its mooring in Brooklin, Maine, the first Bridges Point 24 in Wade and Forest Dow's boat yard, and the "factory" where they build these beauties by hand, one at a time.

If you're looking for a Christmas present for that special someone (or yourself) and aren't ready to spring for a Bridges Point 24, I would recommend the book, "Joel White: Boatbuilder/Designer/Sailor" by Bill Mayher, Maynard Bray and the great photographer, Benjamin Mendlowitz which includes a few pages on the Bridges Point 24, including more photos, and drawings. There is a terrific photo of Joel White's personal Bridges Point 24 which he had built with the Herreshoff style cabin. I think the book is available on Amazon.com for $39.95. It will get you through the winter.

[ebb]

Wade Dow builder of the Bridges Point 24 is quoted as saying, 'These boats really sell themselves.'   When you go to that site it obvious that they HAVE to sell themselves because all they got there is a tiny coagulation of a few faded shots of the boat.  And they can't be bopped to be made larger - am I the only one put off by this? - maybe that's the intent.   Maybe it's the internet. Sorry for the rant.  

Get the feeling those guys don't want to be discovered because they'll have to change their downeast work ethic.  Like instead of two boats a year they'd have to pump out three.

Don't understand this reverse pride of presentation.  It's maddening and looks inept.  Not even a sailplan, or any lines.  And that page has remained unchanged for awhile, since I've wondered about this Joel White sloop too!  Everybody's probably out shoveling snow.:rolleyes:
______________________________________________________________________________________________
Thanks for the shots, Mike, she's very pretty!  

That one of her on the water begs for a comparison with the Commander.  Wonder if anyone had the spare change to spend on a new daysailer if they would consider picking up a Commander (for next to nothing) and put half of the money into a 100% renovation of the Alberg?  Refurbish two at the same time?! THAT would be something!!!

[mbd]

All I have to say is: "hubba hubba!"  

[MRH]

Brooklin, Maine is one of the most beautiful harbors on the Maine coast, but it's like a different country up there. In 2005, the town rejected a utility application to install cable TV and high speed Internet because they wanted to leave things just the way they are and dissuade outsiders from gentrifying the town.

Wade Dow "fishes" (lobsters) in the summer and builds a boat or two in the winter. He lives at his own pace. Whether outsiders are put-off by Wade's lifestyle or find it enviable, the Bridges Point 24 is a reflection of who he is and where he lives.

Wade is one of only a handful of builders left who can apparently survive building a top quality 24' sloop one at a time for $55,000 - $65,000. If you are an aficionado, you pay your deposit and Wade tells you exactly where you stand on the waiting list - which is short right now given the market for 24' sloops @ $65,000.00. What you pay for is a classic design, glass, resin, wood, and expert building skill at a reasonable cost. What don't get is a flashy website and instant gratification via email – a fair trade for a builder who answers his own phone and keeps his promises.

Mike Hoff
Newton, Massachusetts
Commander #131, "Francine"

[MRH]

Here's an interesting comparison of the Commander to the BP 24 and 2 other daysailers.

              Commander      BP 24      Nonsuch 26   Alerion 28
LOA              25'6"            24"0"      26'              28'3"
LWL              18'5"            18'8"      24'5"              22'10"
Beam         8'0"                  7'9"      10'6"              8'2"
Draft         3'7"                  3'5"      4'6"              4'6"
Displacem't  5100            3944      8500 lbs.        4400 lbs.
Ballast         2500            2100      2750 lbs.        2000 lbs.
Sail Area   310                  278      420              352
PHRF         261                  243      219              168

MRH

[ebb]

Hey Mike,
really sorry!  I lived for decades in a little town just north of San Francisco that 'fought to save itself.'  There even was a book written about it.  Sadly, it was 'discovered' and big money moved in with a vengence BECAUSE it wasn't gentrified!  We fought sewering and state agencies, but couldn't fight the real estate mongols.  Except on the funky face of it, they won.  So here's to Brooklin.  And throw another log in the stove.

Guess Joel lived down the street from Wade's shop...!

Joel White is the Nutshell Pram and  Sakkonet 23, both talked about on these pages.

[frank durant]

I've LONG admired the BP24. They sail EXTREMELY well...in a 4 boat comparison years back in SBJ..they outsailed a seasprite 23 (Alberg) and all others in the comparison. They are beautiful boats and VERY well made. I personally love the fact it is a small shop...not huge production run...and that they are 'hands on'. Joel White was a great designer and an artist. His life evolved around water and boats. He died relatively young (60ish by memory) just a few years back. I can dig up their performance specs from the old review...yep I'm a pac-rat. But I clearly remember they out pointed all others and were considerably faster on all points of sail but perticularly pointing and broad reaching. I posted about these early on in this thread. Real pretty boats !!!!!

[commanderpete]

Good pics Mike

Interesting how tiny the sailboat industry really is

New cruising/racing sailboats sold in the USA in 2000.
(The most recent survey available)

20 to 29 feet in length 1,926
30 to 35 feet 921
36 to 40 feet 671
41 to 45 feet 370
46 to 60 feet 234

Source: North American Sailing Industry Study

[ebb]

C'pete,
That's a very smooth curve there, wouldn't you say, if you charted it?
I'd guess the money follows a very similar path?  A little steeper!
I wonder if age of owner does too?
Social Status....?:rolleyes: