A couple of months ago I was contacted by a Golant Gaffer owner and asked if I would be interested in a set of spars and sails for a GG that he no longer needed. Given how few Golant Gaffers there are, the chance of receiving such an offer is about the same as being struck by lightning. Of course I said I would be very interested and asked how he came to have an unwanted rig for a GG.
Apparently Jon (the GG owner) spent some of his time during the Covid lockdown planning his dream sailing adventure. In his case, this entailed sailing a small boat around far flung coastlines. Jon decided a GG would fit nicely into a 20ft container which could then be dispatched abroad. Jon mentioned South Korea as a target destination. Unfortunately the GG 6.8m mast doesn’t fit. so, undeterred, Jon has had a new (more modern) rig designed – shorter mast, longer gaff. He is also having the coach roof raised a few inches to provide a little more height inside. Hence a mast and other spars plus set of sails that were no longer required
Jon was aware of my project through this website and kindly got in touch to make the offer.
On Monday, having carried out a little remedial work on the trailer for my Shrimper, my wife and I set off on a 260 mile round trip to Gweek in Cornwall to pick up the treasure. With sails in the back and mast, boom and gaff tied down to the trailer, we made it back to Portland.
The pictures below show the mast and other spars safely stored in my shed. They are in good condition and I should be able to make them look like new.
The 2 photographs below show the sails in bags and the mainsail laid out.
So, thanks to Jon, I have saved quite a chunk of work making a set of spars as well as the expense of the first set of sails. I would also like to thank Andrew at Gweek Classic Boatyard (he is Jon’s lead Shipwright), who got the spars onto the trailer for me.
And finally, if you are sailing around South Korea or even further afield and spot a Golant Gaffer, do check it out. It could be Jon fulfilling his ambition. He expects to have his UK shake out cruise next summer.