Ken, in the late 80's or early 90's, my wife and I went to look at Fishers whenever we could. I remember particularly going to Richmond Harbor ( cal) to look at a 37 then for sale. for some reason I think it was gryphon. I remember having a conversation with a gal who had sailed on a 37 from Hawaii to Seattle. Not sure if the two events are connected now, or not. In my file box ( not my computer) I have a picture of the boat and me looking at it. We finally got our fisher this year . A 30 ketch.
It's entirely possible it was Gryphon. I know the previous owner sailed her from San Francisco to Hawaii around that time frame. I could check the log books. I remember one log entry from that crossing "... day two, everything leaks!" He put over 60,000 miles cruising before I purchased her. All over the west coast, Panama canal, all the way to the Mediterranean and back to Alaska.
These are really awesome boats. Sadly, they don't make them anymore. For me she ticks almost all the boxes. "Trawler-style" pilothouse - check. High bulwarks - check. Inside steering station - check. The only things I would add are solid handrails (in place of triplines), mast "granny bars", and some heating system...
For northern latitudes I would agree. Hard to find this much room in a pilothouse and still be able to sail. If you are cruising closer to the equator, you might want something quite different! Like... www.pauhanasailing.com/theboat
Nice going! Ken, it is clearly seen: high speed (and then you said - 8.2kn!), no much wind, no main, still I could not hear you engine - even when filmed from the wheelhouse. My F34 with 75 hp Yanmar is able of 8.2 kn, sure, but even with 6kn it starts to be too noisy inside..
Most of that speed is from the 23" max prop and engine. RPM's were likely around 1700. Sails were helping a little bit and perhaps a knt or two of current. The speed readings were from the GPS so speed over ground...
Nice vid. We are considering a motorsailier, but do not know much about them. How well does it do on sail only? When motorsailing what sort of MPG do you get? I would assume it would improve.
Better late than never? Sorry for the delay in responding, perhaps someone will see this and benefit from the information. The previous owner told me that after 60,000 miles cruising that this boat had 3 speeds. 2 knts, 4knts, or 6knts, all based on conditions / wind. In 15 knts of wind I'd estimate with 3 sails up you can do 3.5 to 4 knts. Give me 20 to 22 knts and we'll start pushing 5.5 or 6 knts. Any time I can get over 3knts sailing in the direction I want to go I'll shut the engine off. In the San Juan Islands we tend to motor at least half the time if not a little more. We tend to burn about 1 gallon / hour maybe 1.25 at 6 knts and around 1700 rpms. That would be with a clean bottom and prop, a max-prop. The Fisher is a good compromise if you're on the fence between power or sail. For us it's about the comfort and safety in pretty much any conditions.
Ken, in the late 80's or early 90's, my wife and I went to look at Fishers whenever we could. I remember particularly going to Richmond Harbor ( cal) to look at a 37 then for sale. for some reason I think it was gryphon. I remember having a conversation with a gal who had sailed on a 37 from Hawaii to Seattle. Not sure if the two events are connected now, or not. In my file box ( not my computer) I have a picture of the boat and me looking at it. We finally got our fisher this year . A 30 ketch.
It's entirely possible it was Gryphon. I know the previous owner sailed her from San Francisco to Hawaii around that time frame. I could check the log books. I remember one log entry from that crossing "... day two, everything leaks!" He put over 60,000 miles cruising before I purchased her. All over the west coast, Panama canal, all the way to the Mediterranean and back to Alaska.
These are really awesome boats. Sadly, they don't make them anymore. For me she ticks almost all the boxes. "Trawler-style" pilothouse - check. High bulwarks - check. Inside steering station - check. The only things I would add are solid handrails (in place of triplines), mast "granny bars", and some heating system...
Probably the most perfect cruiser ever built.
For northern latitudes I would agree. Hard to find this much room in a pilothouse and still be able to sail. If you are cruising closer to the equator, you might want something quite different! Like... www.pauhanasailing.com/theboat
Nice going!
Ken, it is clearly seen: high speed (and then you said - 8.2kn!), no much wind, no main, still I could not hear you engine - even when filmed from the wheelhouse.
My F34 with 75 hp Yanmar is able of 8.2 kn, sure, but even with 6kn it starts to be too noisy inside..
I'm curious how much of this speed is engine derived.. and how much sail.. what rpm ? scooting right along ..
Most of that speed is from the 23" max prop and engine. RPM's were likely around 1700. Sails were helping a little bit and perhaps a knt or two of current. The speed readings were from the GPS so speed over ground...
No oilskins?
Nice vid. We are considering a motorsailier, but do not know much about them. How well does it do on sail only? When motorsailing what sort of MPG do you get? I would assume it would improve.
Ken Pearce
Awesome, thanks for the reply. What would estimate your speed @ the 15 knots wind or so?
Better late than never? Sorry for the delay in responding, perhaps someone will see this and benefit from the information. The previous owner told me that after 60,000 miles cruising that this boat had 3 speeds. 2 knts, 4knts, or 6knts, all based on conditions / wind. In 15 knts of wind I'd estimate with 3 sails up you can do 3.5 to 4 knts. Give me 20 to 22 knts and we'll start pushing 5.5 or 6 knts. Any time I can get over 3knts sailing in the direction I want to go I'll shut the engine off. In the San Juan Islands we tend to motor at least half the time if not a little more. We tend to burn about 1 gallon / hour maybe 1.25 at 6 knts and around 1700 rpms. That would be with a clean bottom and prop, a max-prop. The Fisher is a good compromise if you're on the fence between power or sail. For us it's about the comfort and safety in pretty much any conditions.
She's for sale yea?
All boats are for sale, just a matter of price.