Aphers

A full laser rig is pretty big. I'm thinking of a Radial or Zuma for my S11N, it would work out very close to the as-designed sailplan. But then again my little lug rig is so easy to use... it's really just when we have three of us aboard in light winds, or when trying to go upwind in very strong conditions, that the lug lets me down.

As Tim says, the Radial is a better fit. You're looking for just over 6m² sail area. I think the luff and foot measurements are very similar as well. Another rig that is a close match for dimensions is the Zuma. Personally I think the sail area is fairly generous. For a few years I was using a 5.5m² windsurf rig and it seemed like the right amount of sail for my tastes- but I use the Spindrift as my daily driver so capsizing isn't an option. I'm now using a 4.3m² standing lug sail and it is definitely a bit underpowered.

This still dependent to some extent on the legal jurisdiction that you are in. I can't speak for the US where I assume the OP is based, but just in case any Europeans are reading, it's worth knowing that the Recreational Craft Directive applies to any new boat, and certainly complicates the sale of a home build. AFAIK you essentially have to keep it for five years before you can sell it, but I'm not an expert. I know it hasn't been a particularly well received regulation.

Just catching up on your videos, keep up the good work. The hard dodger looks fantastic. You're making me miss the Caribbean! What was your finished weight for the dinghy? And did you sheathe with glass inside and out?

Glad I'm not the only one! How do you find this rig in stronger winds? One thing I've noticed is that, compared to a sleeved sail, in strong conditions (20kts+) I get a lot of mast bend and subsequently luff sag, which affects pointing ability. Other than that, very happy with my standing lug. A slight improvement I've recently made it's how the sail attaches to the yard. My first attempt was to simply lace it on with a continuous length of line. I've now changed that for individual ties, which I can alter to get a good sail shape. I can also adjust the tension along the yard, and slack it off when not in use. The remaining piece of the puzzle is sheet loads. I'm going to try finding a ratchet block which should help a lot.

The joys of being a nautical nomad... if things can be sent to an Amazon locker then life is easy. But a gallon of two pack cannot. I'll probably not be needing it until we reach the boatyard and I can get it sent there. Do you find that the paint has a reasonable shelf life after opening?

Thanks for the recommendation, that's a good price for a gallon. Do you know if it's available in a smaller size?

I'm already a big fan of two part paint. That's what I originally used on my Spindrift over four years ago. It's a daily use tender that carries bikes, kedge anchors, etc, do it gets bashed about a bit. I need the durability of two pack. Over the years I've picked up tins of whatever was available locally- in Europe I used International Perfection, and in the Caribbean I found a tin of Jotun Hardtop. Back in the UK I paid about £80 for 2.5l; in Spain it was about €45 for a litre, and the Jotun was about the same price. The International appears to have been discontinued, and in any case I found that the B component always went bad soon after opening, despite my best efforts.

My long distance cruising has taken me and my Spindrift from Europe to the USA. The little boat is coming up for a fresh paint job. In the past I've used Jotun two pack and I like it- the B component doesn't turn to jelly after opening. I can easily get Awlgrip but it's $$$. What brands/products am I going to be able to get in the US? I've been trying to search for things but my phone insists on showing me UK websites. I'll be in Virginia if that makes any difference.

Just arrived in Newport, Rhode Island, where were going to be based for a few weeks/months. We've got a Spindrift 11N. Just curious to see if there are any other B&B boat owners around in the area? Would be delighted to invite you aboard the mothership for a beer.

You could just mount the motor off centre. That's what I do with my 3.5hp 2 stroke, and it allows me to keep the rudder in place. For a long motor I take the rudder off as it's easier to just steer with the motor. I've found that they noisiest thing about my Spindrift when motoring is the captive rowlocks which rattle like crazy.

The main problem with Bonaire is the $35/day anchoring fee. Most people seem to make a fairly brief stop there for that reason, but I've heard that it's amazing.

At first, I picked up a buoy on approach to the bridge, and dropped the whole rig and rowed under. Then the next time I tried re-stepping the mast with the bottom section missing. Gradually I got a bit braver with it and would do it without picking up the buoy, but just drift down towards the bridge. Easier with my son on the helm. It did cross my mind that if the mast had jammed for any reason, things could have got interesting. I generally have an anchor ready to drop so that would have been my backup option. The way the boat is currently rigged, with a standing lug, all I'd have to do is let off the downhaul and let the yard fall level, and we'd get through. I'm not sure if we're returning to the southern Caribbean though- my wife found it too hot.

We sailed around that area a lot with our 11N and windsurf rig. To get under the Hog bridge, I would remove one of the four sections of the mast, which gave just enough clearance to get through. I always had to row going the other way though, no way I could short tack through there, especially as the sail wouldn't set at all properly with a quarter of the mast missing. Trips through to Secret were quite good fun. Le Phare Bleu was a pain because it was so shallow- I don't think I ever managed that under sail alone. Trips in and out of Woburn were generally pretty easy under sail. Ah, you're making me feel homesick for the place... even if the water was purple on distillery discharge day...

I haven't taken photos, but in the three years we've been cruising the Caribbean we've seen several other Spindrifts. I'm not sure if I can remember them all. We did meet one guy in Carriacou who has built both a 10 and an 11. The 11 might be the one with the stayed mast in the photo above. It was a big gunter rig, with the sail made from a dumpster find spinnaker. In Grenada we met someone with a 10, and took it for a quick row, then took him for a short sail in our 11. It was interesting to try out the smaller version, the extra foot makes an enormous difference. Another family who we met in Martinique had an 11N, and were using an 8hp 2 stroke. I actually own the exact same engine myself but never thought of using it on the Spindrift. Maybe I'm just being chicken. We've seen other Spindrifts at dinghy docks but not met their owners. I'm surprised how few of the ones we've seen were being used under sail. We sail ours almost every day, and we can go days or even weeks without having to get the oars out. I wouldn't like to be without them though!