* Tahitiana 32 – the bluewater, go anywhere sailboat of dreams
Feb 18th, 2010 by Dennison
This may be Deben Jack sailing upwind in the English Channel
The Tahitiana is a “granddaughter” of the famous lifeboat built in the 19th century by Colin Archer to serve the Norwegian fishing fleet in the North Atlantic in winter time. This design of “double-ender” is renown for being seaworthy and seakindly even in atrocious weather, though she needs a fair amount of wind to sail well into the wind.
The boat is 32 feet in length, 10 foot beam with a draught of 4 foot 5 inches. Most, if not all were “home-built” – though some, like mine, were built by professional welders. There are many Tahitianas around the world – and many have made circumnavigations. The Tahitiana was designed by Weston Farmer who adapted the Tahiti Ketch (by John Hanna) to carry more canvas and be built of steel. the reason for the name is that these are boats intended to go places like the South Pacific.
They’re not fast, they’re not fashionable but they are remarkably good-looking and tough. Small enough not to be expensive (ie. keeping a would-be sailor working to pay off the mortgage before he or she can go sailing!) but with plenty of storage. They don’t have the windward abilities of more modern designs, but their motion through the water is extremely comfortable. They feel like a little ship.
In the interest of encouraging owners to share their experiences and knowledge with other owners and people interested in this robust design, I’ll be posting photo albums of Tahitianas I meet at anchor, along the dock and on the internet.
If you own a Tahitiana or have information about any Tahitianas please let me know.
Similar Posts:
- * Tahitiana 32 – the bluewater, go anywhere sailboat of dreams
- * Tahitiana 32 – the bluewater, go anywhere sailboat of dreams
- * Tahitiana 32 – the bluewater, go anywhere sailboat of dreams
- * Tahitiana 32 – the bluewater, go anywhere sailboat of dreams
- * Tahitiana 32 – the bluewater, go anywhere sailboat of dreams
I might have helped if I had read this entire post… sorry. I got snagged on the Colin Archer part which I don’t agree with
and didn’t read further..Please ignore/edit out my other post and this one for that matter.
Cheers
Chris
Gracias por compartir tu blog. Es muy interesante, me encantan los diseños de Colín Archer -toda una Institución, -este señor-.
De nada!
Just discovered your website having recently acquired a tahitiana, (actually the reverse is true, she acquired me) but that is another story. I believe she is the mystery boat of Faro that you saw in 2007. Her name is Otahi which I am told means ‘solitude’ in Tahitian which seems to have an uncanny resonance with your writing and inclinations!
She was built in Bristol, England in 1982 at the David Lund Yard and I think was one of 22 that they built.
I am curious that you have a photo of the inside which as you say, does have a spacious feel to it and appears unchanged and yet you did not know the name….??
Great to hear from you
I’d love to post something about the Tahitiana that acquired you.
please keep in touch,
Denison
Jacqueline,
I built “Otahi” at David Lund’s yard in Bristol.
You’re right “Otahi … means ‘solitude’ in Tahitian.
I called the boat that being a single-hander for several years.
I guess you bought “Otahi” from Freya Hart when she was in Dartmouth.
Freya (and Marcus) are now building a huge wooden replica of the Grayhound Lugger – as you probably know.
Regards, Ralph Downton
I recently bought Ron Rynne’s Tahitiana out of Grimbsby, Ontario.She is named the “Alice Keigan” ,but will become the “John E. Keys” in the spring, More later.
Dennison , great website really enjoy it but is kuan yin really a tahitiana?.she looks more like a tahiti rover as designed by merrit walter as his take on the tahiti ketch ,lovely boat either way.