J. Cote Posted May 9, 2020 Report Share Posted May 9, 2020 One thing I keep thinking about, so I'll just put it out there. I don't see anything on the Spindrift to hook your toes under while sailing (when you want to lean out for ballast). Granted, I won't be hanging my rump over like the young whippersnapper in the photo, but could I (or should I) attach a cleat of some sort at the top of the longitudinal bulkheads aft of the partial bulkheads for that purpose? Now is the time to if I do.... Thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve W Posted May 9, 2020 Report Share Posted May 9, 2020 I pondered the same thing when I built my 11N, but I haven't missed a hiking strap yet. It may be because the Spindrift series has hard chines and keep buoyancy out pretty far so it's pretty stable. It also may be because I'm not as aggressive of a sailor as I used to be, more inclined to put a reef in that sit on the edge of the boat. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Stewart Posted May 10, 2020 Report Share Posted May 10, 2020 I wold be looking to install a set of simple hiking straps fore and aft int he cockit if you wanted to hike out. Most cockpit dinghies have them like a piece of 3" padded webbing to put your feet under. some have one on each side. Just need an anchor point fore and aft which could be an eye strap into the keel or vertical transom beam or on the fwd side of the bolts for the lower gudgeon and up forward it could just loop around the front of the daggerboard trunk with a small eye strap to keep it from riding up the front edge of the trunk. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Anderson Posted May 10, 2020 Report Share Posted May 10, 2020 I hook my foot under the seat but a strap as Alan suggests would be an improvement. The thing I really miss is a comfortable well cushioned seat on the rail. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Designer Posted May 10, 2020 Report Share Posted May 10, 2020 I adjusted an eyestrap to fit the bolts of the lower rudder gudgeon and fastened an eyestrap to the aft end of the trunk about 3" up from the bottom. I put grommets in some 2" webbing. I used some 1/8" cord to connect at each end and used the cord to adjust the tension to suit. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hirilonde Posted May 10, 2020 Report Share Posted May 10, 2020 I added a single strap on center in my Lapwing. I use it, but not a lot. What I really like is having one foot under it just in case. Being in control, or at least having the illusion I am makes sailing more fun. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J. Cote Posted May 10, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 10, 2020 Excellent solutions. Thank you. Best part is, all your suggestions can be installed later, if I find I could really use it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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