Some History and an impressive life: Roderick Knight

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bshanafelt

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 6, 2007
Messages
439
Vessel Name
Isobel K
Vessel Make
37' Custom Pilothouse
My vessel is a custom built pilothouse trawler, named Isobel K (after the builders wife).
The boat is classic cold-molded construction using 5 layers of western red cedar strips and epoxy resulting in a hull thickness of 1 5/8".

Let' just say that when I first saw her, that was pretty much it. I was pleased to purchase her in 2002.

She was built in a boatshed in Canoe Cove BC shown in picture 1.
The project was begun in 1990 and she launched 8 years later in 1998.

Probably the most impressive part of the story is the builder Rod Knight who was 80 years of age when he started the project.
He is seen in the 2nd picture at launch at the fine age of 88.

Of additional interest is the fact that Isobel K was not Rod's first boat build.
In Picture 3, Manathine is shown next to Isobel. Manathine was built during the 60's and is a 46' Ed Monk ketch.
Rod then took his wife and 2 kids aboard for a shakedown cruise down the coast from BC to Acapulco then to Hawaii before returning to Victoria (a 5+month trip)
After some refitting, they then (again with kids aboard) set off for the Galapagos, Marquesas and other exotic ports south.


We were aware of much of this history when I purchased Isobel K.
At that time Rod was still alive, in fact he lived an active and thriving life to 102 years of age.
While we made numerous attempts to meet him in person over the years, we were not able to ever have that meeting.


This summer however, we did meet one of Rod's sons in Victoria face to face.
We had an exceptional discussion with him and his wife about his Dad, this boat and some of the amazing adventures that were characteristic of this man.
These photo's are courtesy of his son.


All this to say, great man, great builder, great boat.
 

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Wow. Just... wow! Thx for sharing his legacy and achievements.
 
here are a few

you tube link:

 

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Incredible. Hopefully I’ll have a chance to see it in person sometime.
 
Bmarler, sure.

We cruise typically 3 months beginning in late June. Lately Broughtons, Desolation, Gulf Islands.
Berth at Port Orchard YC

May see you around?
 
Bmarler, sure.

We cruise typically 3 months beginning in late June. Lately Broughtons, Desolation, Gulf Islands.
Berth at Port Orchard YC

May see you around?
definite possibility. we were going to do a similar trip last year but derailed by work. hoping to do it this year around that time frame. now that i've seen pictures of the boat i'll recognize it easily.
 
What a great boat, she looks like a lot of boats in New Zealand
Hollywood
 
Greetings Marco,

Absolutely. We will be at the New Years day celebration at the club tomorrow as well.
 
Good write up about a highly interesting person who accomplished a lot.
 
Great story.

My only experience in cold-molded boats is in custom sportfishers, where cold molding is valued for being lightweight and stiff, while also dampening sound and contributing to a soft ride.

In the case of your boat, I would imagine a cold-molded hull, particularly of that thickness, would provide a quiet, well-insulated cruising experience when compared to GRP.
 
Greetings ABfish.

Yes, the boat is very stiff and for the thickness is quite lightweight at 10 tons.
That light weight contributes to economical running at hull speed (1.2 gal/hr @ 7 knots)
Although I would not mind more weight when out in rougher water.

When I haul, the haul out guys always comment on the stiffness when moving her about and transferring from slings to stands.

On the insulation/quietness factor, that is certainly a positive side benefit, both at anchor and underway.
In winter here in the PNW, the hull actually has some thermal mass that once heated keeps things fairly warm.
During the summer, anything kept in bilges below the waterline pretty much stay at water temp - good for cabbage and potatoes etc.
 
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