Sam L. Morse Bristol Chanel Cutter 28

YOU ASK WHY?

There are those days when you walk down the street and pass hundreds of people and don’t notice, not even one. Then, that one special person walks by and you just have to stop and take that second look. Well, the same goes for boats, you walk down dock after dock and you couldn’t tell me what you just past, were they big, small, blue or white, you don’t know. Then suddenly one grabs your attention, you stop, walk back and forth to see it from different angles, maybe take a picture or two before moving on. Then on the way home your mind keeps drifting back to that one boat…… and the Bristol Channel Cutter is one of those boats. Now those adventures start flashing through your mind of tropical far off places, quite secluded anchorages and that world were life is simpler.

“Jolie Brise” isn’t just any BCC but a rather famous Bristol Channel Cutter in her own right, as she was the one used in “The World’s Best Sailboat” book by Ferenc Mate. You’ll see “Jolie Brise”. Over the years she was owned and sailed by her knowledgeable owners to places like Nova Scotia and Newfoundland for those liking the cooler northern points of interest on some of their longer journeys. On more regular bases she has spent much time on the New England coast line and lately has called the Chesapeake Bay her home. “Jolie Brise” has had constant upkeep as well as alterations to suit the owner’s needs and travels with loving care. She is now in Rock Hall, Maryland and is ready to sail off into the sunset with you.

These beautiful yachts were designed by the late “Lyle Hess” possibly one of the last romantic yacht designers and built by several builders in several different places, however, “Jolie Brise” was built by the Sam L. Morse Co. in California.

 

Quotes from “Worlds Best Sailboats”

Lyle Hess's Design:

The Bristol Channel Cutter, also known as the Sam L. Morse, was designed by Lyle Hess.

Mate's Praise:

Mate, in his book, described the BCC as a boat that "looks like true friends" and noted that the BCC and the Falmouth Cutter (also designed by Hess) were the "most beautiful 28- and 22-foot fiberglass boats in the world".

Seaworthiness and Speed:

The BCC design incorporated the seaworthiness and speed of the Bristol Channel pilot cutters, which were known for navigating the treacherous waters of the Bristol Channel.

Construction:

BCCs are built with a variety of methods, including wood, fiberglass, and wood/glass fiber composites.

Notable Features:

The BCC features a cutter rig, a spooned plumb stem, an angled transom, a keel and transom-hung rudder controlled by a tiller, and a fixed long keel.



Practical Sailor Article:

A Practical Sailor article mentions a BCC that made a 3,150-mile passage from California to the Marquesas in 22 days, averaging 5.8 knots.

 

With all of this said by many more knowledgeable sailors, designers and writers than myself, if you are looking for a small, go anywhere boat to fulfill that life long dream you must see “Jolie Brise”. 

NEWLY UPDATED or INSTALLED EQUIPMENT

• NEW 2023 - Alternator (Balmar High Output)
• NEW 2023 - Regulator
• NEW 2023 - Tiller Pilot (Simrad SP32) included but not installed
• NEW 2017 - Sails (Main, full batten, double reef points) (made by Carol Hasse of Port Townsend Sails)
• NEW 2017 - Sails (Head sail - Yankee - Roller Furling)
• NEW 2017 - Sails (Staysail - Hank on)
• NEW 2017 - Sails (Storm Staysail ---- uses Staysail Stay)
• NEW 2017 - Staysail Stay
• NEW 2017 - Mainsail Track (Strong Track System)
• NEW 2017 - Wind Generator (AirBreeze)
• NEW 2016 - Diesel Heater (Refleks 66MK with Copper Shield)
• NEW 2016 - Solar Panels (2)
• NEW 2016 - Harken Roller Furler (MK IV)
• REFURBISHED 2016 - Monitor Self Steering System
• NEW 2014 - Bow Sprit
• NEW 2014 - Tiller
• NEW 2013 - Lazy Jacks
• NEW 2010 - Stove (Origo 6000 Non-Pressurized Stove with Oven)
• NEW 2010 - Water Tanks (2) (304 Stainless Steel)
• NEW 2010 - Engine Yanmar 3YM30
• NEW 2000 - Standing Rigging

DECK HARDWARE

• Bowsprit (New 2014)
• Tiller (New 2014)
• Self-Steering Wind Vain (Monitor Scanmar)
• Anchors (Rocna 25 kg (55 lbs) (with Custom Bow Roller); Danforth (spare))
• Windlass (Manual ABI)
• Anchor Roller (Custom Made Bronze)
• Jacklines (Wichard Lyf-Safe 7052)
• Lifeline Netting
• Anchor Primary (Rocna 55 lb.)
• Anchor Spare (Danforth 18 lb.)

CANVAS

• Dodger (Sunbrella)
• Cockpit Sun Awning (Attaches to Dodger to Boom Gallows) (Sunbrella)
• Hatch Covers (Sunbrella)

PLUMBING and TANKS

• Water Tank Aft (New 2010, 304 Stainless Steel, 26 Gal)
• Water Tank Fwd (New 20210, 304 Stainless Steel, 46 Gal)
• Water Filters (Aqua Pure AP200)
• Fuel Tank Engine (30 Gal)
• Fuel Tank Heater (14 Gal)
• Fuel Tank Lamp Oil ( 6.65 Gal)
• Bilge Pumps Electric (3) (Whale Super-Sub 650; Rule 2000; Rule 3500 & High Water Alarm)
• Bilge Pump Manual (1) Beckson)
• Manual Foot Pump at Galley (Fresh, Cold Water Only)
• Manual Foot Pump at Galley (Sea Water)
• Manual Hand Pump at Head Sink (Cold Water Only)
• Head (Composting -- Eos Design LLC • AirHead, Marine Model)
• Deckwash

ELECTRONICS

• VHF (Standard Horizon • GX2000 DSC/AIS 30w )
• VHF (Remote Cockpit Mike)
• VHF (Hailing Horn)
• AIS (Vesper • Watchmate WMX850 with Vesper - SPL160 - for a single AIS & VHF antenna setup)
• Chartplotter (Si-Tex - SVS–1010C)
• Radar (Raymarine - HSB Pathfinder - RL70 with 2D 18" Dome)
• Depth Sounder (Datamarine)
• Knot Meter (Datamarine)
• Compass (Richie Navigator, Binnacle Mounted)
• Auto Pilot Electric (Tiller Pilot - Simrad TP32, New goes with boat but not installed)
• Auto Pilot (Windvane, Scanmar Monitor)

SAILS and RELATED HARDWARE

• Mainsail - NEW 2017- Port Townsend
• Staysail - NEW 2017 - Port Townsend
• Yankee - NEW 2017 - Port Townsend
• Storm Staysail - NEW 2017 - Port Townsend
• Strong Main Sail Track
• Headsail Furler (Harken MK IV Unit 1)
• Mainsail Preventer

WINCHES

• Main Halyard (Barient #10)
• Yankee Halyard (Barient #10)
• Staysail Halyard (Barient #10)
• Primary (Barient #19) (Headsail)
• Secondary (Anderson #12ST) (Staysail)

ELECTRICAL

120 Volt

• 30 Amp Shore Power
• Shore Power Cord (50' - 30 Amp)
• Battery Charger (Xantrex XC3012)

12 Volt

• Batteries House (12v. Lifeline GPL 27T, 3)
• Battery Engine (12v. GPL 1400, 1)
• Wind Generator (Air Breeze, Marine)
• Solar Panels New 2016 (2 Panels) (Solarland - 100W)
• Duo Charge digital battery combiner (Balmar)
• Running Lights
• Tri-Color / Anchor Light (Aqua Signal S34)
• Bebi Lights (In Head and Above Distribution Panel)