K.J

I have spent some time talking to Chick and realistically this would not end up being a permanent tender and I would likely end up with an inflatable. I really want this to be a training boat, row boat, and to be able to throw my 2.5 Suzuki on it to putz around when camping. I want it to be simple to rig to maximize enjoyment and I do plan on having a dedicated trailer for it. Another question for the group, has anyone used Sailtrack and a lugged sail for the Spindrift? I have seen some other modifications by removing the zipper and using lacing, but Sailtrack seems really nice. I understand that the mast might not be able to be segmented but that would not be a deal breaker since I will have a trailer.

I was thinking about the smallest Yeti, not what was in the picture. Yes, they can get pretty heavy. Those hatches would be the ticket to create storage under the seats and I assume that they maintain the flotation properties and keep things dry. Don it looks like you have two rowing positions in the two paw. Not ever having owned a row boat before is that for when/if you had another passenger in the boat?

Here is a question for those who have built one of these. Would there be enough room in the rear near the transom to drop in a cutout for a cooler or fuel tank? I have a penchant for storage places so that nothing is without a place, also in the event of a capsize I don't want to lose everything.

It would be really great if I could get storage at Lake Julian. This year when I checked it was full, so I will continue to try, but plan on using the Tanzer to get out on the water while I build the new boat. Based on the feedback, the standard version would be the winner hands down. Good to know that I could tow the boat with little issue at some point. However, I suspect that after I get more experience and a few years down the road my needs may change. If I am going to take the time to build a boat I plan on keeping it for a long time and would love to get the grandkids on it to teach them as well.

@Don SilsbeI would love to get to the Messabout, but it will not happen this year. I am working on a certification at work and have an exam on 11/5 and all of my time is dedicated to that right now. Speaking of that I have to get back to my class. Probably next year for the Messabout.

This will primarily be used as a sailboat for the next 3-5 years. The attraction is that I don't have a lot of time due to work, so I want something that I can set up fast and get on the water. My Tanzer takes 35-40 minutes to set up on my own and then at the closest lake I can't use a motor. To get to a large lake I have to drive for an hour. I want to use this to be able to get out on the water more often and join our small local sailing club in Asheville. I would like to have my larger boat in the next 3-5 years, but in the mean time. I want to work on sailing skills, coursework for getting my offshore certification and eventually get a charter boat to test my skills before jumping in on my own used boat. I have a plan, but it is hard to figure out where to start some times. Most of all I want to have some fun on the water.

@PadrePointThanks for the suggestion. I have a looked at those, but I always do this to myself and bootstrap up for a larger vessel. I am trying to keep myself from doing that, because I know myself. I have gone through your entire build with The Weezer and it has been inspiring. I am a good carpenter, but building a boat is a different animal, so I am thankful for Chick's guidance on this potential project. @HirilondeI have been looking at the 12, but would consider the 10 or 11 as well. Again, in my world bigger is always better. I see so many that are set up as nesting units, but I suspect that if I started doing passages, I would look for a different option. Of course maybe my boat would have davits to lift it on board, but I doubt it. If I wanted to sail mostly solo, but possibly with 2 adults and a child I figured the 12 would have better capacity and potentially more room to stretch out. Let me know your thoughts about how your 9N was used.

I am new to the forum, thanks to Chick Ludwig, and am looking for some advice on a possible build. Chick and I are going to be working on a Moccasin Double Canoe with my grandson over the winter and I have been talking him into helping me build a small dinghy of my own possibly. I really love the CS 20 MKIII but have no place to build something like that and I don't want to invest that much time a $$$ into the project. So my fall back plan is to build a 10-12 ft dinghy that I can use as a simple learning boat and possibly a small tender to my one day purchase of a coastal cruiser. Here are my thoughts. I love the spindrift as a tender and have looked at several builds. I don't know that I want a nesting option because I like the seating area of the standard version. I went through the gentleman's build from Manassas, VA and that would be ideal in my mind. I want the ability to row, sail, or have an outboard. He had issues with the zippered sail and lowering it for getting back to the docks, but he really is the only person I could find that has brought up this issue. Any other thoughts on smaller boats I should look at from B&B to accomplish this task?