SIGI

by Howard
(Virginia)

"Sigi" is a 20' clinker built, cedar on oak frame.

She was built by Chip Stulen in the early 1980s but has spent the past 25 years high and dry in my deceased uncle's barn.

She's quite dirty still but otherwise in good shape (I believe).

The vintage, hand start Kenmare Sea Twin inboard had been removed from the boat.

I'm currently replacing it with a 100 DBL electric system from Electric Yacht, Inc.

She should be ready to get her keel wet again in April.

Comments for SIGI

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Jul 17, 2022
 8' Dingy built by Chip
by: Bill

I have an 8' Dingy that Chip built for a close friend (1981) who passed away, it has been stored for many years and is in excellent condition.

It was so beautiful that he never used it.

The detail and workmanship is unreal.

I'm selling it for his wife and hope to find someone that likes it as much as he did.
Jan 24, 2017
 Sigi
by: Anonymous

Sigi was built in Suttons Bay, MI and named after the builder's wife, Sigi.

It was built for my friend Jim Porter.

I supplied the replacement Kermath Sea Pup single after the boat sank shortly after launch, ruining the original
Kermath.
Nov 20, 2016
 Suttons bay Michigan
by: Anonymous

I watched that boat being built by chip in Michigan, always wanted to have one, if you're ever interested in selling send me an email.
sailking88@aol.com
May 18, 2016
 Hi Neighbor!
by: Mike Hanyi

She looks great, I am a woodenboat builder working at Herrington harbor.

Love to talk with you.

here is my boat,

https://www.facebook.com/HerreshoffRiviera1874/

contact me! Mike

sigi
Aug 19, 2013
 How can I find a set of plans for this boat?
by: Nathan

I know nothing about boat building but have a friend who would like me to help him build one.

How can I find a set of detailed plans with all dimensions.

nathanfpowell@yahoo.com
Jul 17, 2013
 how wide is this sigi
by: jim

please let me know how to get a set of plans for this boat.

I love how it looks.

bjhughes71@yahoo.com thank you
Nov 27, 2012
 Reply to Anonymous
by: Anonymous

Feel free to contact me at thork@verizon.net
Jun 06, 2012
 Stulen boat
by: Anonymous

I have a Chip Stulen boat also, a 1986 18' faering.

I would like to discuss boats with you sometime.

Please let me know if you are interested, I have some good stories about him and his boats as I suppose you do too.

By the way, I just saw Sigi referred to in the Nov/Dec 1981 Wooden Boat magazine as "the most beautifully detailed new boat in the basin" at the Newport Wooden Boat festival.

You must be proud to own her.
Mar 25, 2012
 Sigi Update
by: Anonymous

I've had Sigi for just over a year now and I have to report that the electric inboard and charging system have performed flawlessly.

Only once have I run the batteries down to less than a 50% charge and that was purposely.

I believe the difference in the weight of the original gas inboard and the electric system is marginal and has no impact on the sailing characteristics of the boat.

I get plenty of curious looks from fellow sailors as I coast quietly to and from the slip.

Sigi has a sliding Gunter rig which I have come to love.

I've replaced all of the running rigging and new bronze blocks are on order.

I hope to take her to the St Michaels antique boat show in June (although Sigi does not qualify as an "antique boat" yet).
Sep 10, 2011
 nice boat
by: bruce

I had a Crosby cutter years ago that looked much like your boat.

The Crosby yard was in Ohio and they made very nice wood boats.

A friend and I rebuilt it one winter in a second floor apartment in Detroit.

Hauled everything up but the hull and cabin and refinshed them.

A mast takes up alot of space in an apartment but. have fun
May 26, 2011
 Looks Great in the Water
by: Anonymous

Just saw SIGI at Herrington Harbour South marina.

Really beautiful, and I love all the bronze hardware.

Nice to see a wooden boat in the sea of fiberglass ... she's only the 2nd wooden boat in the marina!

Anxious to see her under sail.

Well done.
Mar 27, 2011
 I love her
by: David Dickson

Absolutely gorgeous! She really is a piece of art!
Feb 27, 2011
 12 volts
by: Anonymous

I thought I knew a lot about 12vdc.

After all I've wired about everything in ac and did one continuity test from the first phase to the delta phase, their weren't connected till the test, proud to say I still have both hand and feet.

But dc does have arching problem and a few other odd habits.

Might be worth checking out: http://www.motherearthnews.com/Renewable-Energy/1984-11-01/Low-Voltage-Living.aspx,

I learn a couple of things and relearned some others.


Jan 13, 2011
 Sigi's Electric Retrofit
by: Howard

What a great idea. Why didn't I think of that?

As it is, the 54 pound power plant fits nicely in Sigi's shallow engine compartment.

Power is supplied by four AGM batteries, each weighing 56 pounds.

Two each will be mounted on a low shelf inside existing port and starboard cabinets just inside the companionway, about amidships.

They produce enough power to push the boat along at hull speed all afternoon, more than enough for my purposes.

A 15 amp, 48 volt charger is mounted inside the aft cockpit compartment.

The throttle assembly, ammeter and charger shore power inlet are all mounted on the hatch to the compartment.

"Sigi" did not have an electrical system.

I'm going to install a 48 to 12 volt converter to power an electric bilge pump and any other accessories I may need.

I'm really happy with my decision to go electric.

It's clean, quiet and provides instant power.
Jan 12, 2011
 Lead vs. Lead-Acid
by: Balanda

Wow... I bought copper nails from Chip for my projects.

You have a treasure.

Many who've ballasted a boat have imagine all that weight doing some good besides sitting there.

'Can say this 'bought electrochemistry;

Bigger isn't better.

The safest solutions to electric vehicles has been using small energy packs clustered together.

Of course, the price is quite magnified.

One could make a watertight ballast keel containing 1 1/2 inch wide 6v batteries for handicapped motor scooters, linked together both parallel and series, but, the cost is much higher than the same power from fewer 12v marine batteries - which cannot be put lower than the keelson.

Perhaps you can solve this for all of us.



Jan 10, 2011
 Electric Motor
by: Timmynocky

Wow, Howard, she is beautiful.

I hope you will come back and tell us more about
the electric propulsion installation.

I'm sure that I am not the only one interested in this idea but concerned about the weight, stowage and charging of the batteries.

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