Hi
Does anyone know of, or have any info on, the Finesse 24 rigged as a gaff cutter or sloop?
I have a Bermudan cutter-rigged Finesse and I want to explore re-rigging as a gaffer. I know some gaffers exist (one, at least, called Emma and Kate) but I have never seen one, nor have I got any access to rig dimensions etc. So photos, contacts, references to articles, even first-hand knowledge, would be gratefully received.
Even more wonderful would be to find someone who has got a gaff Finesse so I can take some measurements. Or maybe they will advise me not to bother!
You took the words right out of my mouth! I have very recently bought a Finesse 24 and although I have yet to sail her, she looks like she would benefit from cutter rig. I had thought of gaff but then discounted it because I had assumed that the position of the mast would need to be moved and it looked likely to be expensive. I agree with you that she would look fantastic gaff rigged. I am not sure if you are aware but I believe that AF Platt who built them is still around. I do not know if he ever built any with this rig. I am also surprised that no owners association exists or if it does, I haven't been able to find it. I will watch any responses to your post with interest!
Hi Mike, and it looks as if we now have a Finessse Owners' Club, albeit with only two members! Maybe others will emerge.
Pleased to hear that Alan Platt is still with us, though I understand that he is averse to getting involved with owners' queries over-much. Understandable: he deserves a quiet retirement!
Certainly Platts offered the 24 as a gaff cutter: I have a copy of the original brochure.
My boat has always been rigged as a cutter. She has a bowsprit, and at one time had a jib on a Wykeham Martin furler and a hanked staysail. The previous owner to me replaced the jib with a big genoa on a modern furling system. He did not use the staysail, but I have had promising results with the (sometimes part-furled) genny and the staysail. A Water Craft magazine profile of a Finesse 24 called VELA (no 4 issue, 1997) showed a more conventional cutter rig with a slightly smaller jib than mine.
I know some 24s were built as gaff cutters, thus my original query. In answer to the other contributor to this thread, I know about the boat on the Old Gaffers' site. She is EMMA & KATE, and has been for sale (or at least on the site!) for at least four years. I have some rather lo-res pix of her, and as far as I can tell, the mast position is identical to my cutter SERINETTE. Her owners were not, when I contacted them 2 years back, in a position to give much info.
So I am still on a search for a real live gaffer 24: any response gratefully received.
By the way what's yours called and where do you sail?
Hi
This is someone wanting to ask some advice from the new Finesse Owners Club.
I am seeking to buy a 'new' boat and have shortlisted the Finesse 24. However, I have never been able to sail one. I assume that she is not the most close-winded of boats, but do you have any idea of what sort of angle she tacks through.
Also, do either of you have any experience of the bilge keel variant - how much of a negativ impact do the keel have in place of the centreboard? My only previous experience of volume bilge keelers was with a Macwester 26 - and these tack through about 120 degrees making them no fun to windward at all.
Hoping you can help, and looking forward to the first Finesse 24 Rally!
Nick
Hi
Difficult to be precise abouty tacking angles: rigs vary (mine's a cutter), as do skippers!
For an expert assessment see the piece in Water Craft magazine, issue 4, July 97, where they sailed a Finesse called Vela which had the bilge keel mod. There's little in the article about specific sailing performance, though.
I suspect if you want to make ground to windward you would not choose a Finesse! If you want space, comfort, a dry deck and character you will be pleased. The boats are tender, but once heled (15 degrees or so) and 'in the groove' can be pretty brisk on a reach.
Some of the specialist classic and wooden boat brokers may have more knowledge.
As ever, get to sail one if you can is the only advice.
Sorry for the delay in responding. My Finesse is Sea Beatrice, registered in Maldon but now based in Gillingham Marina on the Medway. She is sloop rigged and I believe did once have roller reefing on the jib but this has now been removed. She was built in 1979 and her sail number is 46.
I took your advice and got a copy of Water Craft with the test of the Finesse in it. Have now resolved to change anti-fouling from red to blue and deck colour from cream to white!
I posted previously about converting mine to a self draining or at least watertight cockpit. Mine is currently loose boarded and I plan to replace them this season. Because they are not watertight, rain cascades all oevr the engine which is now very rusty. Do you have the same problem?
Look forward to hearing from you or send me a private note.
I have just bought a Finesse 24 - called La Finesse- to replace a gaff rigged Dauntless 23. Gaffers are charming, but the complications of sailing with running backstays, two main halyards, and a very short luff to the jib to make going to windward not over-efficient should not be underestimated. When it all goes according to plan it's a beautiful and very satisfying rig - but after three seasons I am thrilled to go back to a furling Jenny etc.
I wonder if anyone reading this can help me; La Finesse has some odd features, including bilge keels and a centre board. Is this very unusual? I know that each Finesse was built more or less to order. Also, did Mr Platt hide a makers plate in any particular place? I have searched, but with no success. Lastly, she was built in 1980, but carries the sail No 26, which seems odd if Sea Beatrice was built the previous year and is No 46.
I do hope someone with better computer skills than mine will set up up a Finesse Owners Association: it looks as though there are 5 potential members already.
That does seem odd about the sail numbers doesn't it? Sea Beatrice also has a centreboard and short bilge keels too. I understand from the article in Water Craft that some were converted after completion to true bilge keelers with the plate and case removed. Given the construction, I suppose this would not be too difficult.
The makers plate on mine is on the internal face of the rear cockpit coaming. Are you anywhere near the Medway?
Thanks for the nformation on bilge plates. You refer to "short" bilge keels: mine are about 4'6" long and 16" deep. They look sufficient to act without the centerboard, but I do like the idea of of 7' draft. I have yet to try it out in open waters
La Finesse is currently ashore at Faversham, at Alan Staley's yard. Amongst other things, Alan is drawing a keel bolt or two to see if there is any problem; all else seems to be in order, but I am keeping everything crossed until I hear from him.
Her permanent berth will be Newhaven, and if all goes to plan I will bring her round over the Easter holiday. A light northerly breeze would be convenient if you have any influence.
As to the makers plate, a careful search reveals two plugged holes and a faint oval mark where you describe. Can't think why anyone would remove it.
Finesse 24: gaff rig?
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