Thread: Amherst Galley

Here is the watercraft article about the Amherst Galley:

This is the article that appeared in Watercraft magazine, the UK boating quarterly in the Grand Designs section:

Reading our last issue with its 'school boat' theme reminded the innovative American Phil Bolger of an interesting design he created to get children comfortably and safely afloat.

THE AMHERST GALLEY
The Amherst Galley was designed as a Canadian school training boat and was
intended to have the following desirable attributes:
l - Buildable in a school carpentry shop, using readily-available
materials, a minimum of 'advanced boatbuilding' skills to produce a
creditable finish and capable of completion within a time frame
appropriate for young students. The principal panels capable of
being pre-fabricated and finished flat on the floor or bench, without
extended sanding-o ff of glue runs.
2 - Of dimensions suitable for efficient trailing on highways. Narrow
enough to haul and launch at a low angle between the wheels of
the trailer and preferably requiring not more than 1.500 lbs (680 kg)
trailer capacity.
3 - Sailing and rowing in all circumstances from perfectly secure
positions, never less than waist-deep in the boat.
4 - Unsinkable.
5 -Self-righting from any knockdown, with active crew in safety. NB
Oar-port covers secured when under sail.
6 - Shade and shelter from spray, wind and rain, minimizing
discouraging and debilitating hardships both at anchor and under
oars or sails.
7 - Able to float in less than 12" (0.3m) of water under oars and to
beach with her bow over the dry.
8 -Able to raise and lower her rig -in minimum time, in open water
and without exposing the crew - to less than 6' (1.8m) above the
waterline, for bridge clearance and reducing wind resistance at
anchor and when being rowed, all without interfering with the use
of the oars.
9 - Spirited sailing characteristics in a wide range of weather. A sail
plan of large area for her weight is set on a low height and can be
reduced in balanced combinations without any precarious deck-work.
To carry her sail in a breeze, maximum use of live ballast is assumed,
all sitting low in the boat in ergonomically correct and perfectly
secure positions, with a good view in all directions.
l0 - Manned by as many as 7 people for day excursions and to be
rowed by up to 8 oars. Speed under oars to be 5 knots or more in
calm conditions, using 7' (2.lm) oars with efficient geometry. To be
rowed effectively by four people. Oars stowed overhead.
11 – Un-cramped sleeping for six during 'expeditions.' Insect
protection to be quickly put in place. Minimum reliably-dry personal
stowage spaces for cruising. Enough battery power for communication and
navigation gear, plus personal reading lights for each member for several
days.
12 - Minimal toilet privacy - curtain - with head in bow. Sufficient
holding tank capacity for several days.
l3 - Minimal but convenient cooking facilities, including a propane
stove with its tanks carried outside the watertight envelope aft.
14 - Reasonably handsome and graceful underway and at rest
under sail or oars and to lend herself to creative decoration both on
the hull and on the sails.

We submit that all this is indeed desirable for a seamanship trainer and that these plans demonstrate that it is not necessary to settle for less. It may be argued that too much attention is paid to crew comfort; that 'hard living is
part of the experience.' Our response is that unnecessary discomfort is not conducive either to efficiency at the time or pleasant recollections later. Crew fatigue from exposure is unseamanlike and dangerous, not to mention fostering by
design unnecessary risk of injury or even loss of life due to a capsize in a sudden squall. Keeping to a minimum of liability insurance cost should matter to any organization as well. Some find these 'Birdwatcher' layouts claustrophobic.
But in fact they are 'open' beyond the experience of most sailing people because it is possible to see in all directions from sheltered positions. There is no cowering behind blind dodgers or the oilskin hood folded past the face. The
interiors are demonstrably cooler in hot weather and warmer in cold weather than more usual arrangements. Since the whole of the boat is both cabin and 'cockpit' space utilization is uniquely generous for both at minimal structural expense and expanse for the effect. With all sail handling carried out from the centreline hatches, there is no one hand for the ship and one for yourself; it is both hands for the ship with hips and legs taking care of yourself.

Phil is a brilliant man and this looks to be one of his classic sharpie hull forms, but sweet Lord he can ugly up a fairly pleasant looking sheer with a house only a school bus could be proud of.

She looks easy to propel, which is suggested by her narrow beam, fine ends and moderate sail area. Interesting use of the balanced jib, which isn't a very common feature any more. Also note the end plate rudder. I'd bet she'd be fun to sail without the monster house cluttering (and weighing) things up.

Originally Posted by pindimar

9 - Spirited sailing characteristics in a wide range of weather. A sail
plan of large area for her weight is set on a low height and can be
reduced in balanced combinations without any precarious deck-work.
To carry her sail in a breeze, maximum use of live ballast is assumed,
all sitting low in the boat in ergonomically correct and perfectly
secure positions, with a good view in all directions.

Yep,
I particularly like this decsription of an attribute, deck-work........... what deck

Here is a picture of the deck area of a similar boat to the Amherst Galley, another Bolger schooner called the William D Jochems design. There are some significant differences between the Amherst Galley and this boat, the main ones being that the Jochems schooner has an outside cockpit, leeboards and water ballast tanks. The Amherst Galley, on the other hand, uses the weight of the crew as ballast, there is no outside steering position, and the Amhesrt Galley has a centreboard which does not get in the way at all due to the specific layout of this boat.

I guess it's a very subjective thing, but I find the looks of the Amherst Galley quite appealing. The point that it doesn't have "decks", and hence, no precarious deck work, given its design parameters is a real positive, in fact. Schools and other groups can face exorbitant public liability insurance after all. The very safe "below decks" working arrangements of the Amherst Galley is one of its basic design principles.

Bolger thinks that the Amherst Galley is ahead of its time, I couldn't agree more!




GregF