Whiskey Jack
Built at home on the "Keep it Simple" principle, this 28 footer is an eye catcher wherever she ties up.
by Ed Simmons
This article appeared in Pacific Yachting magazine. We only have the first page, so it is not complete. It is undated.Everywhere Whiskey Jack cruises she captures hearts.
It's a reaction we, the builders, never anticipated. You see, Whiskey Jack is not your average chrome- plated powerboat. She's old-style, comfy and home-built.
However, it appears she inherited the charm of another era that brings out the Viking that lurks subconsciously in the minds of many pleasure boaters.
This 28 ft, diesel-powered, semidisplacement trawler model from the drawing board of Glen-L Marine Designs of California took four years of sweat, tears, blood and money to build. She is sturdy with 2-in. yellow cedar frames and plywood planking sheathed outside with fiberglass.
Whiskey Jack was an instant hit right from her launching at Cates Park, North Vancouver. She has had her bottom patted by men who say: "Mister I'd sure like to have her. I'd take her anywhere on the coast."
We've been hailed from the bridges of passing super cruisers with shouts of: "We sure like your boat."
At Silva Bay on Gabriola Island the owner of a 40-foot commercially produced trawler couldn't keep his eyes off her. He stood waving from the dock as we sailed away.
Whiskey Jack has also been the scene of many impromptu tour parties. One chubby lady backed her bottom up to the diesel stove and chortled: "My, isn't this nice."
Of course all this makes us strut and pat each other on the back for a job well and truly done. But before we are accused of boat bias, let us hasten to point out that Whiskey Jack has her deficiencies. You want to get there in a hurry? Forget it. She cruises at 7.5 knots, but does it well and comfortably and can chug along for 1400 miles before her fuel runs out.
