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.
For a more complete discussion, photos of her restoration, lines and sailplan drawings, and downloadable documents, books and recordings about Nymph, visit her website: www.jackschooley.com/NYMPH