Dear Ms Abrams,

California Sailing

Some time ago a pen-friend from Belgium sent some articles on the late Mr Eric Coleman boats and later in reading Beach Cruising and Coastal Camping by Ida Little and Michael Walsh I found out about your association. I wrote to a Mr David Jones, Hon. National Secretary who sent only an information sheet about you (basic) and application form which did not give much information.

Now, I’m sorry to say that I’m in prison at this time and of course unable to go sailing or camping - but since the age of 13 when I built a 13' 6" canvas over a wood frame kayak and took it out on the ocean to the nearby channel islands - I’m from a small city called Oxnard CA only 14 miles from the islands - and I went commando camping and also hunting, up and down the coast. Later on I went on to 12' - 16' Daysailers of various makes and a 15' Potter which I took down to Baja California (Mexico). So my own experience of sailing has been good so far but I heard of others who enjoyed it and I wish to learn from them. I now ask for a list of books or bulletins or articles on,

8 Years Cruising On a Drascombe Long Boat Peter Knape. Dinghies for All Waters E. Coleman Sea Going Drascombe - (is it worth buying?)

Cruising stories that explain how to rig a shelter on a 10' - 13' open boat that has a boomless sprit sail. Also how to fit a one burner stove (gimballed) for use afloat in such a boat. Galley in a Box and Multi-Purpose Dishpan Locker old articles that were in a small boat journal when it was round in the 1980's. Others might have the same idea which would work better in a smaller boat.

At the same time how can one rig a sun-awning on such a boat? Messing About in Boats had a page on your group and I enjoy reading articles on a sliding gunter rig and I like to read about other choices in sail rigs. Does anyone use a Chinese sailrig? The beach cruiser of F. Herreshoff as shown in Messing About in Boats - has anyone made one? It looks good at 13' by 4' 6" - a nice size for one or two persons.

Does a booklet showing various types of small dinghies (kit form) exist?

So anyway - could you possibly send a sample issue of your bulletin? (Cost?) Index of books, booklets you carry (sell) and of any on market - in and out of print - that aren’t worth the money.

Ideally, if you can publish a letter, where in anyone who cares to share their views on how best to set-up a 10' - 13' open semi-decked. I plan to make my own sails (polytarp) and mast (hollowed from low cost wood). William Sibley back in the 50's/60's did a 12' plywood proa - any ideas where to locate a copy of the study plan? Sam Rabl had a 14' “Dorette” - his version of sail/row/motor dory.

Has anyone used a sailing surfboard to travel? At 10' - 13' overall length by 24"-28" beam it would be a handful with 40-60 square foot of sail - but a heck of a lot of fun in warm waters!

Thank you, enjoy life!

Herbert Diaz, C-68543 PO Box 689-Z-138 Soledad CA 93960 0689 USA