Category: Sjogin

It’s true. This past Tuesday I checked my personal email after lunch and found a note from Mike R. who lives in the Kansas City area. I believe it was sent the day he launched his very own Sjogin named Gramercy, faithfully building to Paul Gartside’s Plan #176. This is the gaff sloop version that Paul drew. Mike used traditional construction, with steam bent oak frames and cedar planking. And she has a topsail! And to top it all off, this is the first boat he has built.

That I’m shocked is to put it mildly. I know of several smaller versions under way and perhaps, as Mike has done, the full size version is being built somewhere, but this is Sjogin’s first sistership to my knowledge. Mike started in 2011, shortly after the plans were available. He said he built Gramercy “referencing 8 books, the internet, and the kindness of strangers”. He also mentioned auditing the WoodenBoat Forum and Hove to off Swan Point.

So here is Gramercy, Sjogin’s first sistership. I think Mr. Gullberg would be happy. I certainly am.

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He she is on what is probably her maiden sail with the proud builder at the helm. This happy Skipper sure is. She has traditional canvas decks and the same toe rails as her very older sister.

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That stern looks familiar. I find it hard to believe that the lines taken off Sjogin and faired by Paul Gartside have resulted in this little gem.

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Here she is in a driveway, setting up the rig. Note the topsail! Just think of the strings to pull. The sails are by Carol Hasse, the bronze work by Port Townsend Foundry and R&W Rope helped with the rope work.

I’ll have some more photos soon, all of which were provided by Mike.

After a decade of of asking the world if anyone knows of Sjogin’s origins, I’m no closer to an answer but now know she’s well worth at least one copy.

One added benefit of building a copy of Sjogin is that it entitles you to an afternoon hove to off Swan Point in the original.

Thanks again Mike, you certainly made my day.

OK, one more:

I’m sure there’s a good story here.

Recently there have been a few comments on the Ourhouse Page that could use a wider audience. With the implied consent of Jppe, Peter and Colin here are the recent comments; mostly concerning Sjogin’s name origin.

Here is Jppe’s Comment on Sjogin’s name. I was told by the widow of the second owner that the name came for a very loose anagram of his name, Joe Shinn. If you say the name to yourself you hear how easy to mash up the syllables. Though the suggestion that her name means sea-going has appeal. Even though she’s never been to sea as far as I know.

“Over the time I had seen this lovely boat in WoodenBoat. In last issue, you came up with the mysterious origin of Sjogin. My own thoughts in that direction is danish because of her stern. She is more danish than swedish. If swedish, it had to be the part of Sweden next to Denmark. The name is not so strange. After a short time, the word sjøgang came up. This means the way and how, but also in Danish and Swedish the sea walks in the wind. Sjø is danish for sea. Sjö is swedish for the same. Ø and ö is also the same letter. Gang is the same as going. In norwegian we use the word gange for the way you walk. I think that from scandinavian to english, the word sjøgang turned over to sjogin, that for me is closer to danish way of speaking. The letter ø is the same as the u in the english word turn. The sj is a way of wisling, as chalk without the first t when spoken. The a in gang is spoken like the a i part or barn. In scandinavian we put words together to a new one. Sjø and gang is two different words put together to a new one. The danish stern in Sjogin may be a relative to the wiking ships stern. I wish you a happy new sailing year with Sjogin. Me myself is sailing in the Oslofjord in Norway with short trips to near by Sweden and eventually longer to Denmark and the Norwegian south coast with my Maxi Fenix named Tootikki after Tove Jansons Moomin troll figure.”

Here’s the comment from Peter in Scotland.  Further evidence of Sjogin’s cousins.  Here’s the link to the Orkney Yole Association.  Seems the Yole’s have a finer stern with easy buttocks and a straight sternpost.  Sjogin has a fuller stern and curved sternpost.  Sure looks like she would be at home in the Orkneys.

“I’ve been reading your blog with interest for some time now. I would agree with Jppe’s comments about the origins of your fine boat. Here in northern Scotland we share the same boat origins. We have developed over time our own version of Sjogin. We call them ‘yoles’ or ‘yawls’ and they have been tailored to suit the seas around us. I would refer you to the website of the ‘Orkney Yole Association’. I’m sure you will spot the similarities.
Sail on,
Peter Sw.”

Finally, here’s a comment from Colin, also in the Orkneys.  Indeed, they are Viking designs all.  Though the only thing this Viking lays waste to is sausage bread.

“I have been reading about you in WoodenBoat. I own an Orkney Yole named Bee from the island of Stroma. She is almost identical to Sjogin. 25ftLOA 10ft beam.
The original boat was built in 1904 at Mey in Caithness in Scotland. I will send you pictures if you give me an email address.
This is a Viking design!
Colin”

I sent Colin my contact details and look forward to posting pics of his boat.

Of course I can’t miss an opportunity for a pic or two.

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Lightly frozen in a few weeks ago. Always cozy below.

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Seems we’re having a bit of snow this winter. But it’s mid-February and Spring sailing beckons. (With the stove crackling below of course.)

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Sjogin’s new bespoke Paul Smith chopping block. Simple with a Sandy backstory.