The Townsend Tern adroitly answers the question of whether good-looking small boats permit anything but cavelike accommodations. In the Tern, the paradox is literally one you can live with. Her attractive hull, accentuated by the lines of her plywood-lapstrake planking, still has a welcoming interior.Kees Prins, a Port Townsend, Washington, builder and designer, designed the boat for Chelcie and Kathy Liu, small-boat enthusiasts who retired to the area. They knew what they wanted, and equally well they knew what they didn’t want. They were willing to put time into a lengthy—and therefore expensive—collaboration on design details. The boat was launched for the first time just a week before the 2010 Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival, and based on the pleased expressions of the couple, the result is on the mark. For a 23’6” boat, the Townsend Tern packs in plenty of the necessities of life for a cruising couple. She is designed to be simple to sail singlehanded, with unstayed carbon-fiber masts that are hinged at the tabernacles to make them easy to lower for trailering. Port Townsend, Washington, boatbuilder Kees Prins, at the helm, designed her in close consultation with the owners, Chelcie and Kathy Liu.
Laingdon Schmitt
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What an amazing collaboration and clever use of space and simplicity! I want one!! Hats off to Chelcie and Kathy. When you live long enough to know exactly what you want….!
What a throughly well thought out boat. Kees and the Lius have done a superb job of packing so much in and with real consideration to the owner’s needs in their later years.
This is perhaps nowhere better exemplified than the centerboard housing which doubles as a companionway ladder, indeed triples as a seating area for cooking etc. I love the jogged centerboard design, I don’t think I have seen its like before.
A lovely small ship.
What a lovely looking boat. If her rig had been a gaff sloop, she would look to be a twin from my more youthful years. Neighbors had a small boat of similar looks to this, unfortunately they lost interest and let it rot on the trailer. I have been looking for something similar ever since.
The Rose-coloured glass of youth strike once more!
The designer of the Norwalk Island Sharpies was Bruce Kirby (of Laser fame), not Bruce King.
Thanks for catching that, George.
The hull reminds me a lot of the Welsford Penguin I just. Bought. That rig would sure be easier to deal with trailering though.
Beautiful cruiser, but for the aft mast right in front of the companionway.