This blog is devoted to my John Welsford designed 15' Navigator yawl Ellie. I built her in my garage over a period of 18 months and launched her in 2011. She sports a sliding gunter main, roller furled jib and sprit-boomed mizzen. Her construction is glued-lapstrake over permanent bulkheads and stringers. This blog is a record of her construction and her voyages here in the Puget Sound area and (hopefully) a useful resource for fellow Navigator builders.
I'd like to extend a big Thank You to Paul Rickett, for posting the following YouTube video of the capsize and recovery test of Peter Kovesi's cat-catch rigged Navigator Whimbrel. The video clearly shows how high Navigator floats on her side, doesn't turn turtle (with floating masts), how easily she is to right, and how she can still be sailed, even when swamped.
And another big Congratulations to Paul for making the cover of Small Craft Advisor magazine with this magnificent photo of his Navigator Matthew Flinders! This issue features a great review of Navigator. I was honored to provide Ellie as the review boat. Thanks to everyone who participated in the review.
