Genesis of the design of Sule Skerry

                 

      

    The basis of the design of Sule Skerry was initiated by a visit that James McGruer took to America just after WW 2. The boats built in America at that time were substantially beamier than in the U.K. Beamier boats were considered to have a poorer sailing performance at that time, but this was generally an exaggerated view and correspondingly she was built with a substantially wider beam than her predecessors at McGruers. The greater internal space below was thus gained with only a modest increase in cost and a very slight, if any, loss in sailing performance. An article appeared in Yachting Monthly of September 1958 contrasting Kelana, built by McGruers in 1946, with Sule Skerry showing her greater accommodation below. Another article also appeared in Yachting World Annual at the time comparing Sule Skerry (1958) with Fairwyn (1957), both boats were built by McGruers, but with Fairwyn designed by Olin Stephens. It is interesting to see that Fairwyn and Sule Skerry are equally beamy.

    Sule Skerry has an exceptionally strong hull with two layers of horizontally laid planking with overlapping seams. 5/16" inner skin and 3/4" outer skin which gives a very stable finish.   The keel is 4.25 tons lead ballast secured by steel bolts.

        The original drawings for the layout of the hull are shown below:-