10/27/2009, Rochester, New York
We started this blog talking about our wonderful Pearson Wanderer. We sold her three years ago, when it became obvious that we were through with cruising. After an agonizing six-and-a-half days we found and purchased a Cape Cod Bullseye, a design I had long admired but which never seemed to fit our boating needs. Now it did. At this writing we have completed our third season with the Bullseye, and are very happy with our choice.
The Bullseye was designed by Nathaniel Herreshoff in 1913 and converted to fiberglass construction by his son in 1948. Cape Cod Shipbuilding in Wareham, Massachusetts has been building the boat ever since. Yes, it's still in production by the company, which was founded in 1899 and has been owned by the same family since the late 1930s. The Bullseye is 15' 8.5" LOA, with a 12.5' waterlline. It displaces 1350 pounds, with a 750 pound lead keel which draws 27" The attached rudder helps point the boat in the right direction.
There is an active class association. Check them out at www.bullseyeclass.org
The builder's web site is: www.capecodshipbuilding.com
While many Bullseyes carry an outboard engine, we sail ours without an engine, although we occasionally do use a paddle. The standard fractional rig carries a self-tacking jib, while a genoa and spinnaker are optional.
We have participated in two natioinal class regattas. The boat is easily trailed on her Triad trailer. The 2010 national regatta of the class will be held in March, in Key Largo, Florida.
Our Bay
One of the beauties of such a small boat is that she has effectively doubled the size of Irondequoit Bay. At a half mile wide and over five miles long, the boat is a great place to sail. For most of the sailing season the warms the lands adjacent and to the south of the bay, creating a thermal breeze that funnels down the bay. The Bullseye loves a good breeze, as Capt. Nat had the heavy winds and tides of Buzzards Bay in mind when he created her design back in 1913.
We occasionally venture out on the lake, but mostly we stay in our bay, as the narrow bay outlet has enough boat traffic to make passage under outboard power desirable and we don't carry an engine. I do think occasionallly about adding a sweep and stern oarlock to give us a little more power that we get with our paddle. The boat does paddle very well.
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04/25/2007, Sodus Point, New York
I'm pleased to report that Canto has been sold. The new owners will sail her on Lake Ontario.
Thanks to all who inquired about this outstanding example of a wonderful design.
I expect to maintain this blog in the interest of those who want to know more about the Pearson Wanderer.
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04/25/2007
This is the port side of the galley, showing the Origo two-burner stove. A wooden cutting board fits over the stove and is held in place by the pot fiddles that you can see in the photo. In the coach roof above the stove there is a 24 hour solar vent.
There is a huge, dry, two level storage locker under this counter, abaft the stove. The lid for this locker is visible, with its lift ring. A two bulb lamp is mounted over the counter and can just be seen here (the white fixture at the bottom of the instrument box.
There is another large storage locker under the stove.
The black knob just to the left of the sink shows where we store the engine's shift lever when it's not in use.
Note the generous storage lockers outboard the stove.
Note too that all this boat's "furniture" is built from either mahogany or plywood that's faced with mahogany veneer. There's no Formica anywhere on Canto, such as may be found in many other boats!
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