Stephen Shumaker's Page

Good Day,

How is everything with you, I picked interest on you after going through your short profile and deemed it necessary to write you immediately.I have something very vital to disclose to you, but I found it difficult to express myself here, since it's a public site.Could you please get back to me on this email( mabawuah9@aol.com ) for the full details,
Have a nice day

Thanks God bless.
Mrs Abiola.

Hi Steve. US 1027 is actually 1166 - the number wasn't allocated until 2005 when the previous owner bought it. The story is - it is an Ames II design, but was built by Dave Ovington in 1989 as a plug for 6 glass boats to be built in Annapolis. The left-over plug was acquired by Bill Moss, who proceeded to fit out the interior, but never got around to finishing it. Rule changes around that time may have influenced him, so it sat as a 'living room' ornament until purchased by Jamie Leopold in Vermont, from whom I purchased it last year - after spending 2 years trying to figure a way to ship it from Vermont to Seattle...! Eventually my friend picked it up on his way back from DC. It was featured as a video on You-tube under 'Classic International 14 1985', and I spotted it on the Classic I-14 blog written by Rod Mincher.

I acquired with it a mixture of masts and sails obviously old stock from Bill Moss (hence the 1027 sail no.) It is in pretty good condition, but the finish is pretty scrappy, esp. where the epoxy was laid down on the decks/tanks. However, determined to at least try it out last summer, I jury-rigged it and took it out on our local lake, but there wasn't much wind to get a proper impression. Since then it has been in the shop being modified to suit my needs. Basically I bought it as a 'blank canvas', a lightweight fast hull, and have bought some 420 sails for it, cut down one of the masts, and will maybe fit an assymetric once I get the feel for it.  Then I can also use the full rig if i feel like it, but with only one trap.

The hull is cold-moulded below chine, bent plywood above chine. It is possibly the last wooden 14 to be built, and will be treasured by me.

I also have another 14 (the red one) which may be worked on later this year - its from the 60's and came with sail no 800, which was Stuart Walker's boat, but it isn't his. Needs a lot of work, but does have all the gear!

Thanks for your interest. Do you know about the Classic Racing and Vintage Dinghy Association in the UK (CRVDA) - they have lots of good stuff about restorations, and naturally as the 14 is probably the most highly respected class that has had such an influence on dinghy sailing over the years, there are quite a few keen old-timers. they have a Facebbok page - one good way to see what they're up to.

Cheers

Michael

Thanks Stephen.  I hope to find an inexpensive, early generation Bieker for my son and I to learn with.

Stephen,

thanks for the note! It's been a few years since I sailed a 14 and I love seeing the advances in the design and rigging.  It looks like you have a fine project going on.

Thanks Steve,  good to meet you in Hawaii.  Looking forward to progress reports on the new build.

Stephen, I don't know anyone bringing a boat East.  Why don't we both ask around (I will be in Annapolis in a few weeks)?  There is no rush, it's the end of our regular sailing season here.  Can you call me at 443-614-0120 and we can work out the details?  Thanks, Mike Baird

Yeah, I'm looking for more horsepower.  Like you would add a blown V8 to a 40's Ford.  The mast location on this Dutch boat is very far aft, so I think the fit could be made.  And this boat carries a full chine, so the aft surfaces are extremely flat. It's far more stable than a Thistle and much less tender.  It's got a trapeze as part of the original rigging, but we have yet to use.  The jib would be cool, also.

   Because there is no Schakel class left, and mine is the only Schakel in the US, I don't have to abide by class rules:  Thus, I am customizing the boat to my standards and not class standards.  After a few years in a dinghy or two, I have some ideas that I've been trying out.  I think a modern mast and main/jib is in order.  My theory with this boat from day one has been:  Take everything too far, fail, then bring it back a notch.  Mike