Pacific Seacraft and W.I.B. Crealock Announce a steadfast alliance
dedicated to creating the world's finest offshore cruising boats
|
W.I.B Crealock and Pacific Seacraft Corporation share a mutual respect conceived in excellence, a common objective born of integrity: quite simply to create the world's finest bluewater cruising boats.
"I have tremendous respect for Pacific Seacraft's standards," says Mr. Crealock, "and we see eye to eye in our philosophy of cruising boats. We have now joined forces and in the arena of production sail boat building, I will be designing exclusively for them."
|
The particular purpose for which a boat is intended is of prime importance, and not every boat offered as an offshore cruiser can in fact stand up to the long tern punishment such a boat may have to take. It is for this reason Pacific Seacraft's dedication to the integrity of their construction is vital for the serious bluewater sailor.
W.I.B. Crealock: a legend among contemporary naval architects
W.I.B. Crealock is indeed a legend among contemporary naval architects. Most of his younger years were spent cruising the South Seas. His designs are universally admired - each a product of extensive cruising experience, an unrivaled expertise in the science of his craft, and a well-honed eye for handsome, graceful lines. He is now recognized as one of the world's leading authorities of performance cruising boats.
"I particularly enjoy the challenge of the cruising boat," says Mr. Crealock. "In designing a racing boat the issue is decided at the finish line, usually without paying too much attention to the welfare of the crew. With a cruising boat speed is just one of a half-dozen important aspects to be included in the mix.
I happen to believe that control and balance are crucial, particularly for a small crew, for the passage should be part of the fun. In the Crealock 37, we were well aware of the potential pitfalls of the split underbody hull, and we devoted much time and thought to the shaping of bustle, skeg and rudder in the search for control.
I like to think that the result is what produced perhaps the single dominant feature of all the Pacific Seacraft boats - their balance."
Control in the ultimate situation
"Quite coincidentally two owners from opposite ends of the country called me not long ago," says Mr. Crealock, "and both made essentially the same remark: 'I have wasted my money on a steering wheel.' Each had been caught out in very severe weather, running before the wind and surfing, averaging 10 knots and hitting twelve. And each reported that it was two finger steering. Of course that sort of directional stability with a split underbody is precisely what we had been trying to achieve - all of the thinking that went into the after end of the underbody was aimed very much at that: control in the ultimate situation. It is this sort of feedback from owners that is very satisfying, because it is corroboration of what one was trying to achieve."
"An on quite another level, it's satisfying to receive a call like the one from the gentleman in Marina del Rey who said, 'I saw that boat tied up next to the dock and suddenly all of the other boats in the Marina no longer mattered.' That, to me, is exciting. Unscientific, but satisfying. Like the author of a tale that has moved the reader."
Pacific Seacraft: "The finest of their kind in the world"
"Pacific Seacraft is unique among boat builders," says Mr. Crealock. "Never have I had to argue with them over the construction of the boats. Never have they even suggested that perhaps they should do something differently to cut corners. That is unique. That is impressive."
Pacific Seacraft Corporation has long been the center of sincere and heartfelt praise. Fortune magazine recently named Pacific Seacraft as one of the 100 American companies recognized to be the finest of their kind in the world - the only sailboat builder represented. Renowned sailing author Ferenc Mate writes in his newest book, The World's Best Sailboats, that "without a doubt the most outstanding cross section of cruising boats in this book is built by Pacific Seacraft." Perhaps most important, well over 2,000 Pacific Seacraft boats - from the Dana 24 to the stunning Crealock 44 - have been sailed with confidence and comfort to the far corners of the world.
|
