Quick Spindrift Questions

[martysgone]

I have decided to build a Spindrift to serve as an occasional tender for my unstarted Belhaven and as a play boat that I can throw in/on my van when camping or for quick afternoon fun.  If I love it enough I may sell my Phoenix III to help fund the Belhaven.  My wife is already complaining that our backyard is starting to become a boatyard.

 

So, my first question is, how many sheets of plywood are needed for the S9 (not nesting)?.  For the S10?  I have never built from a kit before, but I am liking the idea of it.  It really comes down to if I can justify the cost of the kit + shipping over buying ply locally from Macbeaths and just getting plans.

 

My second question is sure to annoy, it annoys me thinking about it.  It's whether I should build the 9 versus the 10.  Logic and common sense says that if I plan to use it as a tender I should build the 9.  In fact a catspaw would make more sense.  But it will have dual roles, will always be towed behind the mothership, and Spindrifts are supposed to tow quite well and I want something to keep me happy sailing.  The 10 is really only 6" longer with a few inches more beam.  The 10 was the original, but I am wondering if it offers that much more performance and space.  Just like with bigger boats, I am cursed with the idea that I would be happier with a few more inches.  I know some may think it is ridiculous to tow even a 9' boat behind a 19' beachable Belhaven, but one of my favorite areas to sail is the San Juan and Islands where beaches are rocky and anchoring out requires a way to get to the docks.  So, sorry for this question.  I just think other opinions will help me find my own.

[Don Silsbe]

I looked long and hard at all the Spindrifts a few years back, and decided that none of them would fit into the back of my van.  Check those dimensions very carefully, before deciding.  And if you can afford it, get the kit.  You'll be sailing in 1/3 the time (or less).

[martysgone]

I have a chevy express with a queen-sized folding bed in the back.  with the bed down I have 53.5" opening, so I could just squeak by with either.  I built a puddle duck some years back and put removable wheels on the sides so I could "wheelbarrow" it around.  It was 4' wide, wider with the wheels.  With two 10' boards I would just wheel it up onto the bed.  I really loved that stupid little box and spent many overnighters on it.  But being my first build I got carried away.  Quite lovely, if you can call ducks that, but stupid heavy.  And it towed like a sea-anchor.  I think I am leaning towards the 10' spindrift.  Both feel a bit ridiculous to tow, so what is another 6".  I also figure I will love it as a tender or quickly decide it's not feasible.  Either way, I get a playboat.  Small prams are pretty quick and cheap to build if the spindrift makes an impractical tender.  Sometimes I just need to think out loud to others to process my thoughts.

[Don Silsbe]

I like the idea of an S10 as an alternative to a pram.  It should row and sail a whole lot better than a pram.  Prettier, too!

[Garry]

I've towed a Spindrift 11 nesting dinghy and found it tows much more easily than the 8' pram I towed before. There is much less tension on the towing line meaning there is much less drag. The Spindrift is designed to plane which it will be doing at hull speed for the mother ship. The prams are not designed to plane and they stand up and protest the whole way.

 

One caution, in a following sea you may find the Spindrift surfing up on your transom. I've had to steer the boat out of the way of the tender while entering an inlet with a wicked following sea. Some suggest putting a pool noodle on the towing line so it causes extra drag when the line goes slack.

 

Unless you have a need to fit the 9 footer into a specific spot, go with the 10 footer. And don't overbuild. Follow the plans to get a light boat with plenty of strength. Graham is a good designer. Rely on his plans.

 

Get the study plans before making a decision. The cost will be credited against the complete plans or kit.

[George]

Hi I have decided for my tender I will build the spindrift 11N. My wife want to use it for messing about and sailing and as it nests will be easy to store on the boat. When we have visitors it's big enough for taking them out as well. 

[Don Silsbe]

Good choice!