Anybody have experience rowing the Wineglass Wherry from Pygmy Boats in Washington State? I'm thinking of buying a kit. What kind of water is it suited for?

-- Tom Creamer (creamlund@juno.com), June 01, 2001

Answers

Built a wineglass wherry last year. Easy process, but took me a bit longer than the quoted 90 hours to complete. Mostly because I finished it bright. Easy rowing, moderately stable boat. Good directional stability. We use it on a local lake. Perfect for early morning or late evening exercise. It doesn't take to winds above 15 knots to well, too much freeboard. In water with whitecaps it tends to slap down on the waves because of its moderately flat bottom. Three preteen grandchildren think it's a blast. They row single and side by side double. It is a real attention getter. It has drawn many compliments from those on shore and people in passing boats. The wherry works out well for slow trolling, if you like to do a little fishing.

-- Jim Hofmann (jchofmann@msn.com), September 24, 2001.

Have had a wineglass wherry for many years now. I think about 8. I've just repainted the outside and varnished the insides this week as I've recently bought a small trailer for her (have car topped in the past). I don't understand the comment about too much free board because there isn't much, really. It is, however, a very light boat. Get it loaded and there really isn't much free board. It rows superbly. Very fast. I once beat a fellow in a canoe with a trolling motor over a mile course. We had talked about a race for a long time and when I first saw the canoe I felt stupid for getting involved because the canoe was outright zipping ! But, I won. Handily. I just like the thing. Your pal. Tim Walker

-- tim walker (walker@indra.net), May 11, 2002.

I built a wherry and love it. I rowed it around Lake Tahoe 2001 and it took four days, (72 miles). I get a lot of compliments on the boat and it weighs in at about 90lbs. I cartop it singlehandedly. Its best on a glassy lake. I say go for it! I have it in the garage hanging from the ceiling and when I drive in I get to see the scrapes from all the beachings I have done!!!! I love this boat and will go out tomorrow morning.

-- Dave (stikeen@attbi.com), June 09, 2002.

Dave - tell me about rowing around Lake Tahoe - where did you put in? Camp each night? Time of year? Anything at all you could provide I'd appreciate.

Thanks!

Bruce

-- Bruce Osborn (bosborn@mentorcorp.com), June 14, 2002.

just picked up a pocock wherry in incline village. i'm trying too figure out a good way to handle it when solo,cartopping,wheel cart etc. i have a pickup truck to deal with. any tips on first timers.

-- john mayfield (nicefields@hotmail.com), June 18, 2002.

Contemplating buying the kit and wondering if anyone has adapted a sailing rig? Anyone use a keel or a centerboard? What type of sail rig? How well does it perform under sail?

-- Rob Mixon (skatemix@aol.com), November 06, 2003.

Rob, Have a good friend who built the wineglass wherry and rigged it with sails(Marconi rig with a small jib). Sailing the boat is a bit of a challenge, especially singlehanded. Because the boat is so light it is quick to react and like all dinghy sailing you need to be quick to keep the boat balanced and in trim. A tiller extention is required as you need to be amidship for balance and to handle the jib sheets. The boom on this boat is low so when tacking it's a low duck to keep from being swept off. Overall the boat is not a great sailer. If the wind picks up or if there is a chop on the water the boat is a challenge to keep level and afloat. When the weather picks up its best to drop the sails and row, then she handles quite will. Don't mean to scare you off, just reciting our experiences with the boat under sail.

Jim Hofmann

-- Jim Hofmann (jchofmann@msn.com), November 20, 2003.