A very nice Corsair F27 for sale – here’s the scoop on our first tri

In 1995 my sailing buddy Jim got me down to the lake to see her. His Hobie 16 was still in the garage, but things were about to change – we were going Fboatin’… from that first day sailing Origami on a tiny lake in southern Oregon, I’ve been hooked on the Ian Farrier-inspired folding trimarans. And now it’s time for our original adventure boat to bond with another family.

Origami is a 1991 Corsair Marine F27 Formula built in Chula Vista, CA, hull number 217. Purchased new by Harrison J. she was delivered to Whidbey Island, WA where he campaigned her very successfully throughout the Pacific Northwest racing scene. Four years later the opportunity came up to buy one of the big Water World movie tris, but he needed to sell Origami first. Jim’s purchase moved her to Medford, OR where he added her bold 90’s graphics package. And she’s been in the family, dry-sailed, ever since.

I crewed for Jim 1995 to 2009, mostly summer day sailing on her home lake in Oregon. I bought her from Jim so he could try a larger monohull, and Origami moved to San Francisco for five years of racing and coastal cruising. She continued to live on her trailer, with crane-launching. She got new standing rigging and the double-spreader upgrade. In ’13 I was deep into the F39 build and Jim sold the mono; he wanted her back, so Origami returned to Medford. She got new interior upholstery (upgraded soft cushions), a complete suit of sails, fresh nets and running rigging, all of which is in great sail-away condition. Only her spinnaker is original; that big origami bird sail continues to pull like a freight train.

Her basics are:

Doyle racing main & maxi-jib (not furling). Doyle screecher on Harken furler. The 3 sails built by Bill Columbo in Alameda, the most experienced Fboat sailmaker in the San Francisco area. Finish Line bowsprit kit, converted to tilt-up for easy furler attachment. F27 transom extensions and rudder fence. Factory galley; the small sink & alcohol stove, plus a custom made smaller table hanging off dagger trunk. Portapotty under the vee berth – no forward plumbing. Yamaha four stroke is about 12 years old now, always maintained and running fine. We deleted the heavy power tilt in favor of simple lifting tackle. The original Pacific trailer is in go-anywhere condition, with axle replacements, regular bearings / brakes / tires / lights work done over the years.

Origami today is a rare combination of as-delivered-from-Corsair and well maintained condition. She’s had three meticulous owners and we know exactly where she’s been every minute since new. She’s never been wrecked or modified in any structural manner. In 30 years, her repairs have been two daggerboard tip bottom-strikes, a bent pulpit from dipping the sprit in heavy seas, and a beef-up at the mast base pivot point.

She’s only known the west coast, racing all over the PNW, San Francisco and southern California waters. But mostly she’s spent the cold months under her cover and the warm months on Oregon fresh water lakes. We LOVE this boat, but Jim’s in his later 70’s now and is heading back to smaller, lighter Hobiecats. I’m too busy with Ravenswing and the F25C to take her back. And so, it’s time. To find a fresh new enthusiastic owner who wants a great boat, and promises her 3-decades caretakers she’ll get the queen’s treatment for many more years to come. She will pay it back with fantastic, easy to manage sailing.

Jim’s asking $35,000 / best offer. Email him at jdeggleston@msn.com with your questions and a phone number, or reach me 8am-8pm pacific time on seven-o-seven, four-eight-six, three-nine-five-four.