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Celebration of Atkin Schooners:
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The Florence Oakland was originally designed as a daysailor, for an owner in Ohio who also wanted to trailer her to Long Island Sound. She has two berths in a surprisely roomy cabin, and a huge cockpit. I own one these little schooners, named Charlene, built by Chuck Bour in Michigan. I have had her now for two seasons as of this writing, and feel tremendously privileged to have her. Like all schooners, she “processes” to windward, can only tack through about 100°, but with the wind anywhere on the beam to a very broad reach, she will really go with her 300 sq. ft. of sail. We have walked through the lee of modern boats on a close reach, and shown our heels in “stiff” weather on a broad reach. Like her first owner, I have also found her to sail herself well if properly balanced, and I think she would really excel in the “harbor-to-harbor” cruising that occurs in New England and the Great Lakes, where the next harbor is not a huge distance, and there is a restaurant and a shower waiting on shore. The berths are a trifle tight for me, not in length, but in width (I would heartily recommend a fill-in between the berths that is easily removed and stowed.) There is sitting headroom below with no problem. I have yet to have live water over the bow, with its flare, but, then, I haven’t yet been able to take her North to Erie or Huron.
If you are looking for a unique, traditional, daysailor that can also take you to the next harbor, perhaps Florence Oakland is the one.
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Copyright William E. Parker 2004, plans
Copyright Atkin & Co.