Specifications of the Easter Maid

Measurements

Length (overall): 25ft	Length (Waterline): 21ft 6in
Width: 8ft	Mast Height (above deck): 32ft
Draft (plate up): 2ft 9in	Draft (plate down): 5ft 6in
Displacement: 4 tons	Thames Tonnage: 4.26

Hull

Easter Maid is constructed of mahogany on oak, copper fastened. She has a shallow cast iron keel. A galvanised centreplate passes through this, operated by a winch in the saloon cabin. This doubles her draft and improves windward performance. Easter Maid has an all over, flush cabin deck to give more headroom. The hull and cabin sides are painted white. All the exterior brightwork is Coelean, rather than varnish.

Rig

The rig is an adaptation of that fitted to the Vertue Class. These were also made by Elkins and Vertue owners will recognise the fittings used. The timber mast has double spreaders supported by lower, middle and upper stays. All standing rigging is stainless steel. The inner forestay is removeable to allow her to be sailed with a mast head ovelapping genoa on the outer forestay in light airs, or a jib on the inner stay in stronger winds. However, I usually sail her as a cutter with two headsails, a masthead yankee jib on the outer forestay and a staysail on the inner forestay. As she does not have any headsail roll reefing or furling this allows one of the sails to be dropped and stowed at the stemhead in stronger winds.

The mainsail has a slab reefing system with lines through the bottom two reefs. The third reef has a removeable purchase system which has to be applied while sitting on the doghouse roof. This third reef is useful in wind force 7 when many cruising sailors are only using a headsail.

The backstay is assisted by running backstays. The leeward one has to be free when sailing off the wind and they are tightened using bronze highfield levers.

Cockpit

This is deep, secure and well sheltered, but not self draining. There are four underseat lockers and the lazarette (under stern deck locker) that will take a small inflatable tender (not very traditional, I admit) as well as the boarding ladder and covers.

Saloon Cabin

Has two berths with sitting height and increased headroom (5ft 7in) under the doghouse. To port is the cooker and to starboard an oilskins locker and an unusual Armitage Shanks ceramic sink. There is a fair amount of storeage in the galley area on both sides. The centreplate casing doubles as a table with drop leaves. The berths have trotter boxes making them 6ft 5in long and comfortable for taller people.

Forecabin

At sometime in the 1970's a previous owner refitted the forecabin, hiding the sea toilet in a mahogany box, producing plenty of storeage, bracing the deck-stepped mast and fitting two bunks These bunks are tight under the deck and more suited to children (who love them) but they are usable by adults, particularly as it is possible to stretch onto the large shelf fitted at the bow.

Iron Topsail

Easter Maid has a 1999 14hp twin cylinder Nani diesel that drives a three bladed propellor.

Maintenance

Boats require maintenance and while I do some of this myself I find that using a boat yard means I can spend more time sailing. Easter Maid has the larger and specialist tasks undertaken at Dolphin Quay Boatyard, Emsworth. Another bonus is that When I look at their work I realise that no matter how long I spent I couldn't do it as well. Click here to visit Dolphin Quay Boatyard's Website.
Robert helming on a run

Goosewinged, with whisker pole and genoa, in a very light wind