NELLYBELLE Relaunched

[Pro looper]

Thats Funny Jim, I think that some of the reasoning behind the keel are. 1 kelp -yes one could install a kelp cutter

but that takes room in the already small salon , 2 frontal area= not the same as wetted surface this thing looks very slippery

3 as far as RM this thing is beamier and has fuller aft sections. I have the good fortune to sail on her for the Ditch Run so we will have plenty of time

to talk about his decisions 

Mario.

 

[Superkilt]

If I remember correctly, one of her sisterships was affectionately known as "Dogwaste" (due to the raked on brown fairing compounds at the time).   Wondering if Dogwaste became "Loose".   Anybody have insight? 

 

[McGyver]

"Minor correction: Nellybelle’s original keel was 780 lbs, the new one 700 and the center of gravity is lower. No bulb because too much kelp in Santa Cruz."

With that little angle back, that keel would not shed kelp, bulb or not bulb.  Kelp window highly recommended.

 

[sleddog]

If I remember correctly, one of her sisterships was affectionately known as "Dogwaste" (due to the raked on brown fairing compounds at the time).   Wondering if Dogwaste became "Loose".   Anybody have insight? 

"Dogwaste" did not become "Loose."  Dogwaste was the 4th Pi boat, built by Alan's sister Jeanne Wirtanen, so named because the hull and deck were roughly smeared with brown microballoons. Jeanne sold Dogwaste to San Diego before it was complete, and it has not been seen since. So the 4 Pi boats, in no particular order, were: Pi, Nellybelle, Loose, and Dogwaste.

 

[Superkilt]

Ah.   Here is some more info>  

Dogwaste was sold to Steve Vucas in Santa Barbara and was named Bandit (I assisted in working on her back the 70's and have no idea where she is now).   I remember seeing her in a shed and Steve pulled the trigger on a purchase.   She was painted silver with "Fresno Rent-a-boogie van" stripes (said Alvie when he saw them).

Memories/Notes:

Bandit's transom and entire back end looked slightly different - did not come to a "v" at the bottom like those designs of the day.  Also, Bandit's bow was more spoon-like.   Almost semi-circular.    Bandit received a rig from another boat that was OMG big, and received a SC27 rudder.   Crazy.  

   It's been years.   I appreciate your info.  It's a real trip down memory lane.     I'lll bet someone is Santa Barbara knows where she is.  

 

[budman]

Great article and glad to see this beauty back on the water . . .  gloss perfect hull, thoughtfully revamped and modded for slaying the competition.  While the reference "Texas junkyard" might be a little out of context, the Lake Canyon Yacht Club, was home to NellyBelle for a few decades. During that time, I enjoyed the hell out of sailing that boat on the here-and-there occasion, as Neal Walsdorf - RIP, the fine gent that he was, always offered it up to me to take out when I wanted. When let loose to cut through the water, she was lively and kicked ass. No one here really knew what kind of boat she was, except that it came from California and had a clouded story behind it - some one-off, with apparent false lip service to Santa Cruz Yachts - most likely because Alan was once associated. I brought up the topic on SA and the controversial banter led to Alan & Melanie seeing the thread regarding a "SC 24" -  that started the full circle home to her original builder/owner. Look forward to one day sailing on her again, Alan & Melanie! 

 

[Santanasailor]

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They gave Roy, Dale, Trigger even the dog billing but what did they give Buttermilk???  If a workable time machine is ever created, I’m going back in time and watch Gene and ignore Roy.  Buttermilk deserved more.   (Like I don’t already watch an occasional rerun of the Roy Rogers show still  )