It is hard to know why a particular style of boat appeals to a sailor. A hardcore racer looks at Paper-Jet and can’t wait to strap it on, a khaki-clad prepster can’t see beyond white hulls and varnished mahogany, and a dreadlocked steampunk needs linseed-oiled interiors and a three-day grunge to feel authentic. But the nascent 19th-century romantic responds to lots of rope, multiple sails, and belaying pins, and those of us so wired are the audience for Don Kurylko’s D-18 Myst design (18' 3" LOA, 5' 7" beam). I think I can see why. The designer has worked up a robust, capable camp-cruiser or adventure expedition boat with the aesthetic appeal and features of a British working boat of a certain age. The D-18 Myst has a striking profile and sail plan, and her general appearance prompts thoughts of British fishing boats of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Geoff Kerr
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I sure like mine! I put a couple of deep-cycle batteries next to the keel and instead of dumb weight I use them for an electric trolling motor and bilge pump. This is a great sailing boat and perfect for camp cruising!
Following Geoff’s sage advice, I’ve gradually simplified Rachel’s rig over the past 11 years. I usually sail without the sprit on the main, which works well since the sheeting angle is well aft. I’ve eliminated the running backstays and installed Dyneema fixed stays. These and a single 4:1 tackle on the bobstay are plenty adequate to keep the jib luff tensioned and allowed me to eliminate tackles at the tack and head of the jib. I’ve replaced the standing lug mizzen with a slightly larger leg-of-mutton sail. Finally, I’ve added a club to make the jib self tacking, like the main and the mizzen. All in all, I couldn’t have chosen a better camp cruiser—my pup tent fits perfectly on deck! And now, many fewer “discussions” with my beloved.
Not one single photo of the inside or any detail work?
I can’t read the D-18 Myst article even though I am a member and signed in. It keeps asking me to subscribe and does not show the rest of the article. This has happened before. How do I get this article as the 2012 annual mag does not show up under “Issues”.
Thanks.
The articles from the early print annuals are under “Series” in the menu bar at the top of the page. If you’re signed into the site you should be able to get to all of the articles there by way of their respective issues.
—Ed.
OK, I’m gonna start a discussion that never seems to get resolved.
Why is she a yawl when the mizzen is ahead of the rudder post?
The term yawl has meanings outside of the term defining a sail rig.
Falconer’s Marine Dictionary (1780):
YAWL, a wherry or small ship’s boat, usually rowed by four or six oars.
Encyclopedia of Nautical Knowledge (1953)
YAWL, …also a ship’s small working boat, or jolly-boat; in Great Britain, a boat or light vessel, usually having a sharp stern rigged with two or three lug sails; a moderate-sized rowing or sailing boat included in equipment of a British war-vessel; any small boat attached to a fishing-vessel, lightship, yacht, dredge, etc.; a dinghy.
Origin of Sea Terms (1985)
Yawl, (2) A utility boat, sometimes called a yawlboat.
—Ed.
Also, it has to do with the relative size of the mizzen (Yaw l= Smawl) (Ketch = big). So not all boats with transom mounted rudders are ketches.