the NIGHT RUNNER story

[Bob Perry]

NIGHT RUNNER has been a fixture on the PNW racing scene for 33 years. At some point in time NIGHT RUNNER has won every race around here. It's a great boat much loved by its owner Doug Fryer.

If NIGHT RUNNER interests you check out my blog where I do a "gloves off" entry on the NIGHT RUNNER saga.

 

[SloopJonB]

Boy to have been a fly on the wall during your meetings with CL - an old curmudgeon and a young curmudgeon, each knowing the other was wrong.

 

[Bob Perry]

Jon:

That's a funny and probably accurate way to put it. But I don't think I was into my "curmudgeon" phase yet. I was perfecting the "know it all, smart ass" persona.

 

[Steam Flyer]

NIGHT RUNNER is an awesome boat, anybody with a lick of sense would love her

FB- Doug

 

[Bob Perry]

I just updated the blog entry with an email from Doug.

3 times first overall in Swiftsure

5 times first in class in Swiftsure

'

As we approached the start line for our very first race in NIGHT RUNNER a guy on a C&C looked over at us and said, "looking goof NIGHT CRAWLER".

That's the last time he was close enough for us to hear him.

 

[MR.CLEAN]

That's an awesome story bob. You really are the Steinbeck of yachting prose. Can i run the whole thing on the front page with a link?

 

[Bob Perry]

Thanks a lot Alan. I can;t type for shit and I can't spell for shit but I can think.

Many thanks to SA'er VALIS for taking the time to notate and edit all my typos and forward his work to me. VALIS can type, spell and think.

It would be an honor to have the story on the front page.

 

[Bob Perry]

I made a few additions and corrections to this blog entry. It has received a lot of hits. Many sincere thanks to all who have taken the time to read it.

If I had a nickel from everyone who has looked at it I could by myself two Happy Meals.

I have no idea what a Happy Meal costs but that was a guess.

 

[zenmasterfred]

And don't forget the compulsory Tang and Mount Gay after race libations on Night Runner.

The Captain

 

[Tucky]

I've never seen the boat in person, and mostly the side shots in pictures. I love the shot from ahead under spinnaker in the blog entry. That really shows the "old fashioned look" above the waterline. What a great boat. Could you put a Thunderhead like hard dodger on her? Probably on the 50' version.

 

[Go Left]

And don't forget the compulsory Tang and Mount Gay after race libations on Night Runner.

The Captain

First had that concoction in 1973, doing Transpac on New World. The owner, George Kiskaddon (RIP), a very interesting guy, claimed its invention (which I doubt) and called it Poon-Tang.

 

[Go Left]

I've never seen the boat in person, and mostly the side shots in pictures. I love the shot from ahead under spinnaker in the blog entry. That really shows the "old fashioned look" above the waterline. What a great boat. Could you put a Thunderhead like hard dodger on her? Probably on the 50' version.

Thunderhead's hard dodger was beautiful, a great place during deliveries and a significant hinderance while racing, as you were constantly working around it and climbing past it. The dodger also opened onto a raised dining salon with a gorgeous gimbaled (with a 600 lb? counterweight) table that sat 7. You could be having an elegant dinner below and pass morsels up to the on-watch slaves in the cockpit. I don't think that would fit on the Crawler.

 

[Bob Perry]

Tuck:

I agree with Asy. A hard dodger would be a bit awkward on NR and given the notched in companionway on the starboard side you would have to crawl over the bridge deck to get in and out of the boat.

As you said, this is best left for the 54' version of NR that I'm certain someone is going to want any minute now.

Hello?

 

[Spindrift V]

I sailed aboard NR when she won the last two Swiftsures... Here's a couple fun facts and stolen quotes. Still has her original spinnaker pole 22' long I believe. Chain drive system on mast to adjust inboard end. Foredeck hatch smaller than a J-24. Doug still asks us to check the fathometer. Paper charts are standard. Suprisingly Amsteel running backstays. Jib top and genoa staysail is a favorite combo (staysail is original). "What's holding that spinnaker together; nostalgia?" As we blaze down the straits approaching Race Rocks doin about 15kts, I've been driving since Sheringham, Doug taps me on the shoulder, "Maybe I better take her through the Race..." I say yah sure ya betcha I just gotta see what this looks like from the end of the sprit!" Still has the finest post race ceremony in the fleet.

 

[Bob Perry]

Thanks nwrig. I remember a round up in Race Rocks. As NR righted itself and the chute started filling and dumping and filling and dumping I looked up at the masthead and thought to myself, "How do you calculate those loads?" All credit to Alan Holt and Bill Gates from Spartech for building a great rig. I miss those guys. They were my go to rig guys.

 

[D Wayne G]

Ahhhh Night Runner!!

As the founder of the Van Isle 360 I get to sail on some pretty cool boats, Night Runner being my all time favorite. It's not just that the boat is totally cool but the crew with a combined age of around a thousand are a joy to sail with. I also had the pleasure of sailing on Dragonfly when we put ourselves in harms way smack dab in front of Night Runner in breezy conditions at a start in Deepwater Bay. I can attest to the fact that Night Runner's bob-stay looks extremely intimidating climbing over the aft beam of a stalled formula 40 cat. I may be the only guy to get up close and personal with both ends of NR. I like the view from the back of the boat far better.

Wayne Gorrie

 

[Bob Perry]

Wayne:

May I add your post to my blog please?

 

[D Wayne G]

Wayne:

May I add your post to my blog please?

Of course you can Bob. FYI I have also had the pleasure to sail several times on Icon, first with Dick and later with Kevin. Completely different programs, both successful. You did a hell of a job on that boat and she is still leading the way when lots boats of her age are more or less out to pasture. A truly sweet boat to sail with good manners in all conditions.Cheers,

Wayne

 

[Starbuck]

Thanks for the blog post. The first thing I thought when I saw the hull shape was how much it reminded me of my boat (a j-35) and then lower down the gentlemen was talking about how it performed close to one upwind. Great looking boat and a true icon of the pac northwest.