Boat List
Endeavour 32 Friday, 17 December 2010 22:11 |   
View Kelly IV Below Deck View Kelly IV on Deck For an interior and exterior layout go to this Link. "Kelly IV", Captain Murph's current keel boat, is an Endeavour 32. He bought her in September 2007 when she was known as "Raconteur" , as she was called by her owner of 18 years, Don Slessman. Captain Murph sailed the Erie Islands and western Lake Erie out of Sandusky Harbor Marina in Sandusky Bay, Ohio until 2010. Erie, PA is home port for "Kelly IV", but she is now in her current location. Since buying "Kelly IV", Captain Murph has provided many significant equipment upgrades: •2012: Two new AGM 105AH house batteries. Seven new LED cabin lights including red lamps for maintaining night vision. Three new 12v cabin fans to keep us cool at anchor, replacing the older, louder, less efficient fans. Important and useful equipment on board from 2005 or before includes a Gori 3-blade folding prop; rope clutches for 10 lines running to the cockpit; 35 pound CQR anchor on roller; all 10 cabin ports open; 2 large overhead hatches in addition to the companionway; 2 air conditioners; 2 burner propane stove & oven, rail mounted propane barbecue, pressure water. Other items on board: Endeavour 32 Specifications: Just email or call Captain Murph to discuss your plans and to set specific details to suit your goals. Last Updated ( Saturday, 26 January 2013 18:34 ) Catalina 27 Friday, 17 December 2010 22:13 |
Captain Murph's prior keel boat from 2003 - 2007 was "Kelly III", a Catalina 27. "Kelly III" is a Tall Rig sloop built in 1975 by Catalina Yachts. This boat had a number of similarities to "Kelly IV" in that it slept 3-4 people, sailed well and comfortably, was a US Coast Guard Documented Vessel and was upgraded to include a roller furling Genoa and drifter in addition to the fully battened mainsail. Unlike "Kelly IV", it pointed a little higher but had very small side decks, rarely sailed over 5 knots and had no decent space for carrying her own dinghy. In the years he owned "Kelly III", Captain Murph made the following upgrades to her: •New Roller Furler installed 2006 Just email or call Captain Murph to discuss your plans and to set specific details to suit your goals. Last Updated ( Wednesday, 05 October 2011 23:51 ) Hunter 170 Friday, 17 December 2010 22:18 |
In 1999 Captain Murph purchased a Hunter 170 centerboard sloop, and still owns and sails it on Lake Arthur, north of Pittsburgh, PA. This 17 foot sailing dinghy is "Kelly II" , a fun, simple, trailerable boat to quickly rig and sail whenever and wherever one wishes. In the years he has owned "Kelly II", Captain Murph has made the following upgrades to her: •Added a mainsail cover so mainsail can remain bent onto the boom As you'll read on the Hunter website: "The Hunter 170's fantastic open transom design allows for super easy land or water access! In addition, the canvas cuddy unsnaps for easy bow access. The extraordinary seven foot beam keeps you stable, with seating for six in the clean and clutter-free cockpit. Beginners can handle the simple rig like a pro with its large main and smal jib, and this setup also provides fun for the seasoned sailor. The kick-up centerboard and swing-up rudder makes landing or beaching a breeze." "Kelly II" is a wonderful sailboat to begin sailing or to enhance your small boat sailing skills. Captain Murph is happy to use this platform to teach you small dinghy sailing seamanship. Just email or call Captain Murph to discuss your plans and to set specific details to suit your goals. Last Updated ( Wednesday, 21 December 2011 13:09 ) Irwin 34 Citation Thursday, 06 January 2011 18:37 |
The Irwin 34 Citation centerboard sloop owned by Captain Troy Cain, moored in Carr Creek, Annapolis, MD is named "Relentless". Given the persistent cruising attitude of her owner, it is no surprise that "Relentless" has cruised much of the central Chesapeake Bay. Captain Murph has been fortunate to crew with Captain Cain on numerous occasions, including sails to Queenstown, Rock Hall, Baltimore, St. Michaels, Kent Narrows, Oxford, Balls Creek, and Leeds Creek. "Relentless" has benefitted from some of Captain Murph's canvas and boatyard efforts including a new wheel and binnacle cover, a new companionway cover, installation of a new roller furler, and teak finishing. The Irwin 34 was designed by Ted Irwin, who also designed Captain Murph's Endeavour 32. The 34 specifications are: Last Updated ( Wednesday, 05 October 2011 23:55 ) Tayana 52 Thursday, 06 January 2011 18:37 |
The center cockpit Tayana 52, "Freedom", owned by Gil Katz from 1985 until about 2005, was sailed throughout the Caribbean as well as to and from the US East Coast. Captain Murph served as Crew in 1999 when she sailed from Oyster Bay, Long Island Sound, NY to St. George's, Bermuda. Captain Katz asked Murph to pilot Freedom through the channel and into the harbor at St. George's. The four day trip was over 700 nautical miles. Murph's watch each day was 0400 - 0800 and 1600 - 2000. A great trip, enhanced by the fact that Murph's watch had him on deck for every Sunrise and every Sunset at sea! Last Updated ( Wednesday, 05 October 2011 23:51 ) Catalina 25 Friday, 17 December 2010 22:18 |
The original "Kelly" (now sometimes referred to as "Kelly I"), purchased in 1992, is a standard rig Catalina 25 swing-keel sailing sloop built in 1986. Captain Murph cruised "Kelly" out of Bay Harbor Marina, Erie, PA. Captain Murph's two sons were 3 and 6 years old when he and his wife began cruising on "Kelly", their first keel boat. Their early cruises were mostly weekends sailing 5 to 15 miles out into Lake Erie, then spending the night at anchor in Presque Isle Bay, or Marina Lake in Presque Isle State Park. The family sailed across Lake Erie to Port Dover, Ontario at least once a year and some years they crossed the Lake 2 or 3 times. Before taking his young family across Lake Erie, Murph first recruited a couple close friends (Robert Zimmerman and Dick Beamer) who sailed the trip to Port Dover with him, just to "test the waters", so to speak. The first trip was navigated with only the ship's compass, a handheld compass, and the chart, as this trip pre-dated the small, affordable GPS and the new-to-Lake-Erie crew (including Murph) didn't yet know how to use the handheld Loran unit that came with "Kelly". In 1998, Mrs. Murphy and the Captain trailered "Kelly" and the boys to the North Channel of Lake Huron. They launched "Kelly" at Killarney, Ontario and sailed her to Baie Fine, The Pool, and Snug Harbor for 3 nights and 4 days of cruising. Two other Catalina 25s joined Captain Murph's experience when he began sailing with Captain Troy Cain and Captain James Clark. Captain Cain's Catalina 25, "Persistent" , was a tall rig with a swing keel, built about 1989. Captain Cain sailed "Persistent" for many years on Lake Arthur before he began trailering her to the Chesapeake Bay where he sailed her from Don and Donna Hekler's seawall on Whitehall Creek. Captain Cain has since sold "Persistent" and now sails "Relentless", an Irwin 34 out of the MWR facility on Carr Creek, Annapolis, MD. "Maggie's Mate" is a late 80s or early 90s standard rig swing keel Catalina 25 owned and sailed by Captain Clark on Lake Arthur. Captain Clark, now over 75 years old, has been sailing most of his life and is still actively sailing "Maggie's Mate" and frequently brings crew on board to share his experience. Of course, as you sail with Captain Clark, you'll also meet "Maggie", Captain Clark's second canine by that name, who is his constant companion, on board and off. Just email or call Captain Murph to discuss your plans and to set specific details to suit your goals. Last Updated ( Wednesday, 05 October 2011 23:54 ) Portland Pudgy Dinghy Tuesday, 01 February 2011 01:04 |
In 2010 Captain Murph purchased the Portland Pudgy to serve as both transportation to and from Kelly IV as well as Kelly's lifeboat. Since the hard dinghy rows and sails well it can serve as an excellent tender. In addition it comes with all the elements of a 4 man lifeboat The pudgy is a bright golden yellow so it can be easily seen from a distance, enhancing its function as a lifeboat. The grey boat cover straps over the entire compact vessel so that it need not collect rain or spray while not in use. A startling, exciting and highly functional feature is that ALL the dinghy's gear stows inside the tiny little craft. This means oars, oarlocks, rudder, tiller, mast, gaff, boom, sail, two leeboards, pump, exposure canopy, sea anchor and rode, two CO2 cylinders, and boarding ladder all fit under the seats or inside the hull through several 6" diameter access hatches or ports. Unlike some small, commercially made rowing dinghys, the Pudgy has excellent oars. While they separate into two sections for easy stowage, they have molded grips that comfortably fit your hands and long blades to make rowing a true joy. The hollow, tough plastic hull with a foam core at the bottom, provides a firm foundation under your feet. This gives you firm support as you move around the small boat and also excellent flotation, similar to an inflatable dinghy, without the risk of deflation. In addition, the short 7'8" by 4'5" rowboat fits very nicely on Kelly IV's foredeck leaving plenty of room to walk on both port and starboard decks as well as more than sufficient room to manage the anchor and sails at the bow. While Captain Murph hasn't had the Pudgy long enough to add many upgrades, he did install a removable navigation light (white, all-around) and buy an electric outboard motor, the Torqeedo. Since the Pudgy already has terrific rowing and good sailing capabilities, the outboard motor is seen as an additional tool. It is thought that the outboard will add the capability to maneuver through busy harbors without tiring the operator when rowing or struggling upwind (a Pudgy sailing weakness). The new motor purchase included a spare battery and solar charger. The Torqueedo is attractive because it requires only recharging of its battery rather than burning of dangerous gasoline. This means not The tough little pudgy not only serves as Kelly IV's tender and lifeboat, but also as an enjoyable "toy" once the mother ship has dropped anchor. Rowing and sailing the highly versatile catboat around the anchorage is just great fun! The Portland Pudgy is a wonderful sailboat to begin sailing or to enhance your small boat sailing skills. Captain Murph is happy to use this platform to teach you small dinghy sailing seamanship. Just email or call Captain Murph to discuss your plans and to set specific details to suit your goals. Last Updated ( Sunday, 15 July 2012 14:43 ) Optimist Dinghy Thursday, 06 January 2011 19:06 |
In October 2003, my son, Paul Murphy, and his friend, Kyler, completed the building of their new boat, a Kelly Green Optimist. They bought a kit and borrowed a form from John Bridges, then Commodore of the Moraine Sailing Club. Over the course of the summer, the two boys spend several hours each week, until finally in October, they completed their effort and launched their new boat. While they did the lion's share of the work, my wife spent a significant amount of time helping them as well. I did contribute some effort myself, but the boys were certainly the "Boat Builders". Last Updated ( Thursday, 06 October 2011 00:01 ) |
having to store the explosive stuff, let alone the cost savings.
