Pearl of Oakland is now sharing her berth with a 14 foot Whitehall replica, built by Gordie Nash about 20 years ago. The Whitehall was the first competitive rowing boat ever used for racing, and was originally designed as a small water "taxi" for east coast harbors. The design is about 150 years old, but it's still fun to use! The boat is fiberglass, although it appears to be lapstrake, and the topsides are mahogany. There is a sliding rowing seat, but it can be removed to accomodate two fixed seat positions. Either way, it's got room for a couple of passengers. I plan to use it in Berkeley until the wind really starts to blow, or the fog gets too heavy, then move it to the Oakland estuary. Eventually it will sport a spritsail and be a dual rowing/sailing vessel.
The cove stripe on the hull originally let potential passengers who owned the Whitehall, each shipping line or boarding house had their own designated color. This one was a faded blue, but now it's bright yellow, as is it's new bottom paint. I've named it yellowboat. Paul helped me with the painting, and Catherine is busy making a canvas cover. The cover will be taupe, to match Pearl's canvas.
This photo is Leigh and me rowing with the two fixed seats in the Berkeley Marina. yellowboat (no caps) is now out of the water, sitting on a trailer in the garage, waiting for my broken leg to heal
