John Guider has covered more than 10,000 miles in open boats, 8000 of them in the original Skerry Raid. In 2019 he returned for a new boat, this time to run in the Race to Alaska. In his honor we named the new design "The Guider." Compared to the original Skerry Raid (née "Expedition Skerry") that John Guider sailed and rowed around the Great Loop (and beyond), the new boat is bigger (18'7" versus 15') and heavier. The design brief included more storage, room to sleep aboard in comfort, and the ability to push the boat harder in rough and windy conditions.
While the Guider is fast and handy under sail and oar, there's an emphasis on safety and camp-cruising comfort. There's plenty of room for two adults to sleep in the 6'6" long cockpit.
It's quite possible that no CLC design has been subjected to such rigorous on-water testing since its launch in March 2019. From the unforgiving Race to Alaska course, to Chesapeake Bay gales and winter-time capsize drill, the Guider has proven itself to be a polished, rowing-sailing cruising machine.
The interior includes lots of built-in storage and flotation (there are 12 watertight compartments in all), and a small footwell. The Guider is ballasted with 200 pounds of lead, which may be increased if daysailing or lightly loaded.The pivoting centerboard is cut from aluminum plate. The rudder is in an inboard trunk, doubtless one of the more controversial features of the new design. Although it complicates the build slightly, designer John C. Harris likes the trunk-rudder for its efficiency and good looks. But most of all, to avoid having to grope awkwardly over the pointed stern to adjust the more typical kick-up rudder.
From start to rigging and launch, we built the first boat at CLC in 22 working days. Building times will vary...this was with 3-5 professionals working from a pre-cut kit. Construction is intended for builders who are already comfortable with epoxy, fiberglass, and stitch-and-glue boatbuilding. We have shipped two more "beta" Guider kits since 2019, and the assembly has proven to be smooth and efficient. Of note is the excellent 38-page manual, created by CLC's Dillon Majoros. The package features beautiful, detailed drawings and assembly details. We highly recommend downloading the PDF of the manual to get a feel for the project.
Here's an overview of the first 10 days of the build in 12 minutes:
And here's a look at the boat under sail!
The Guider on the cover of Watercraft Magazine (July/August 2019)
The Guider on the cover of Small Craft Advisor (Sept/Oct 2019)