Nymph Of Lorne

Nymph was built by McGruer & Co. in Scotland in 1963. She spent her first 15 years sailing in Scotland, then sailed to BC via the Atlantic, the Canal, and Hawaii. A recent book provides details about her construction, McGruer & Co. and her 4 sisterships. She was build #606 at the McGruer family boatyard. McGruer & Co. used full-length mahogany planks with glued-wedge seams, copper-riveted to steam-bent oak frames. Her timbers and floors are Afromosia. Her Lloyds-approved construction plan characterizes her as a “100-A1 Yacht.”

We can almost always steer using 2 fingers on the tiller. She accelerates easily, and her high ballast ratio and fine ends keep her upright and footing along in a breeze. Down below, she’s a small 28-footer. Relatively long overhangs, narrow beam, fine lines fore and aft, and ample deck space give her excellent sailing performance and seaworthiness for her size and type, at the cost of interior volume.

The cherry galley counter to starboard and large mahogany navigation desk (with chart storage) to port have leg-room below each, so that, sitting on the engine box, food can be prepared and cooked or charts reviewed. There are comfortable settees in the main cabin, which convert to a large double berth. There’s also bookshelves, a solid-fuel cabin heater, and good ventilation and light. Up forward there’s a head, bunk, hanging locker and sail stowage, lighted by deck prisms. A smallish interior ensures that there’s always a handhold within reach for a disabled captain. Her exterior is in excellent shape from masthead to the bottom of her keel. I don’t mean that she just looks good. This is not a putty-and-paint boat. She’s strong and true to the core. Nymph was sailing again in 2010 after a 5-year restoration. We’ve been cruising several weeks per year, and weekending and daysailing as often as possible.

The above description is taken from and used in honor of the previous Stewards – Jack Schooley and Deborah Nickelson, as it is still accurate and a testament to all that I owe them for the love and care they gave to Nymph.

After many years of care and enjoyment on Nymph Jack is now on Fiddlers Green which left Deb with the Nymph. My Father Josh Brown and the help of his partner Purchased Nymph from Deb August of 2024. Only months later in December 2024 Josh tragically committed suicide due to severe depression that had been long standing but subdued and treated with alcohol, until triggered again by a sudden loss of housing and destabilization of the life he had been building. He was faced with an immense challenge, forced to rebuild a new life and couldn’t see through his tunnel of pain and chose his own way out… I write this as his son. I feel compelled to share this story as it is now intertwined with the history of Nymph, for I believe the history and soul of a wooden boat is made up from her voyages as much as it is made from the lives of the many people who build her and steward her along. I have now inherited the Nymph of Lorne and treasure her beauty, design, and craftsmanship for it is very fine. I intend to keep this boat as long as I can, preserve her in excellent condition and get many years of enjoyment cruising around the Salish and maybe beyond, remembering all those before me as I sail ahead on my own course.