Spindrift 10N #1621 Build Log

[Bryan Rolfe]

We finally got the dinghy to the boat today, which was an important milestone since we had never test fitted it on our boat other than with a 3D print I made earlier. 

I think we like it best under the boom, as its out of the way there compared to the foredeck. We'll have to mount some wooden blocks on deck and then probably strap things down. 

We also got out for a sail which was lovely. Sailed down to a restaurant not too far from where our boat is docked and got some tacos to celebrate. 
 

 

[Bryan Rolfe]

Well I compiled all the footage I had of the build process and put it into a very long video if anyone is interested!
 

 

[Steve W]

Bryan,

 

Fantastic video. Dare I see you are almost in the Leo class of video production/entertainment. That's a high compliment. 

 

I built a 11N years ago from scratch and then a Core Sound 20.3 from a kit. Your observation that the kit isn't that much more expensive than the materials is spot on. Plus there is the cost of the time.  I will admit I bought the sails from B & B. I haven't used my 11 N in a few years, but the sailing video makes me think I need to get the Suzy J out again once the water here in upstate NY warms up a bit. 

 

Thanks, 

Steve 

[Bryan Rolfe]

That's very flattering! 

I had a sailing YouTube channel a while back, so I definitely have been knee-deep in this before. But I wasn't really planning on documenting this at all, and so I leaned heavly on a lot of phone footage which isn't the best. I think the shots that are most "Leo" like are the ones I shot on my DSLR though, as they are much more deliberate, controlled, and provide both dramatic lighting and depth of field. 

Yeah and the plywood might have been more affordable back then, or more available at least. I really couldn't even find reasonably priced marine plywood of the right thickness around here, so there would have been added costs of shipping or ferrying it from somewhere else. I don't know how much time I saved, but it was probably substantial and there's enough work to do still that I don't feel like it was cheating at all. 

[Steve W]

I think the great part about the video (and Leo's) are that the scope of the work is evident. Watching the Tally Ho project was educational, entertaining, and convinced me that even a smaller traditionally built boat was nothing I have the time or skills for. 

 

Watching your video was also educational and entertaining, and most importantly lets' someone about to embark on a project like this what they are getting into. I watched most of Alan's CS15 videos after I built the Spindrift 11N and I remember wishing I had that resource when I started. But that is more of a step by step "this is how you do it in great detail" rather than an overview like yours. 

 

I find the media of video much more interesting and not as easy as most think. How many sailing videos just point at a vantage point under the sails of the destination, or have lengthy verbal intros about what you will see (big pet peeve) . Anyway, again, great job. 

[Lille Ø]

On 4/28/2025 at 12:34 PM, Bryan Rolfe said:

Well I compiled all the footage I had of the build process and put it into a very long video if anyone is interested!
 

 

We just watched that. Really a nice video! We've also dabbled at documenting our adventures on YouTube, but with nowhere near the production quality that you're able to make.

 

It of course added a lot more to the video that I could recognise various spots that had been discussed here in this thread