OkoumeFest 2010 - Page 2

Back to Page 1

A lot of OkoumeFest attendees were there to try on kayaks for size---something that's hard to do on the internet.

Paul Helbert brought his PD Racer.  This is an interesting class of sailboats with a basic class-legal hull shape and unlimited development allowed on rigs and interior. 

Lew Lott brought a Shearwater Hybrid with some neat fabric touches underlying the fiberglass.

Jim Alman brought his Little Dubber, a truly novel kayak design by Peter Hunt.

Kris Younger brought his schooner-rigged Skerry, which he calls "Whimsy."  Definitely a whimsical rig, though later in the day we saw the boat slicing along at excellent speeds.  It really works!

We gave Kris the award for "Most Spars in One Boat."

Dennis Pikalow's Swifty 14 made a return visit this year and won Runner Up Best Smallcraft.

This is John Beck's VERY lacy rendition of a Skerry.  Amazing craftsmanship throughout.

John won Best Smallcraft, we think his third big win at OkoumeFest.  We can't wait to see what he builds next.

Just a perfect job of boatbuilding.

More details of John Beck's Skerry.

Runner Up Best Kayak went to Jim Bauer.  At first glance an unassuming Chesapeake 16LT, his hull finish will blow your mind.  The judges thought that he had veneered the hull with some sort of exotic burled hardwood...but it's hand-painted woodgrain! Artistry that isn't evident until your nose is about one inch away from the side of the hull.

Jim Bauer is an automobile painter by trade, thus his inspired finish.

The wood grain on the deck is natural;  the hull (not really visible in this photo) has the burled effect.  Amazing.

Best Kayak went to this Shearwater 14 Hybrid built by Leah Jacoby and her father Jack.  The deck is stripped with paulownia and bubinga.

Here's Leah accepting her prize.

Detail of Leah's deck.

A very tricky built-in rudder on Leah Jacoby's Shearwater 14.  Her pop, Jack,won "Best In Show" last year for his Shearwater 17 Hybrid with a bamboo deck.

The "quality of execution" is very important in choosing Best in Show at OkoumeFest.  This Mill Creek 16.5, built by Dana Hager, checked all of the boxes.  Perfect, understated finish:  Check.  Lovely details:  Check.  Mirror-like finish:  Check.  Clean integration of accessories:  Check.  

You could spend ages going over Dana's boat and just not find anything out of order.

Dana accepts his prize, a $125 gift certificate.

More neat details.

A beautiful finish without going overboard.

Nick, Kerry, and John celebrate with the rest of the staff after it's over.  Thanks again and see you at OkoumeFest next year!

Back to Page 1