Steve Day Posted June 4, 2004 Posted June 4, 2004 We took the Spindrift down to Alabama where we keep the big boat and used it as a dinghy over the weekend. There were no problems with the dinghy. She did very well, and I collected a lot of compliments about how she appeared and sailed. I have attached pictures of the boat for your viewing pleasure. The main comment I have is that I had forgotten how tender the little sailing dinghys are. After sailing bigger boats for the last several years, I had to re-learn how to sail this little one. I managed to stay upright, but it was close a couple of times. All-in-all, it was a very successful trip and the little boat is a roaring success! (And it took a lot less time than Jake's launching! :wink: :wink: ) Steve [attachment over 4 years old deleted by admin] Quote
Garry Posted June 4, 2004 Posted June 4, 2004 Oh wow, Steve! You did a great job and she looks good in the water. I will be a couple of months behind you now. Congratulations!!! Quote
Scott Dunsworth Posted June 5, 2004 Posted June 5, 2004 She looks very good Steve!!!!!!! Scott So what you going to build next? You know if you don't have a boat to work on you will have to do honey do's. Quote
capt jake Posted June 5, 2004 Posted June 5, 2004 Steve you did a great job. She looks outstanding!!! You should be proud of your work, as you do it excellently! :) Quote
Steve Day Posted June 7, 2004 Author Posted June 7, 2004 Thanks for the good words, guys. It's nice to get those comments from a bunch of boat builders such as yourselves. I have a couple of modifications I am doing to add seats on the sides between the athwartships seat and the after floatation compartments. I found that was where I needed to sit when sailing the boat. I should have these done sometime in the next week or so. Also, the official christening is coming up in the next week or so. Steve Quote
Garry Posted June 7, 2004 Posted June 7, 2004 Steve, Keep me posted on your thoughts about seats on the side. I have thought about that also. Quote
Steve Day Posted June 8, 2004 Author Posted June 8, 2004 Garry, I found out that the location I needed to sit when sailing the boat was just in the gap between the athwartships seat and the floatation compartment/seat in the after hull. Graham's comments some time back about the non-nesting Spindrift being better set up to sail also had me thinking about seating along the sides of the boat in that area. I decided not to build those seats until after I sailed the boat to see what would actually be needed. The gunwale was just too hard and small to suffice for seating on a long tack. :shock: When I got home, I looked at the situation and decided to see what I could do to fill that gap. I decided to put a block on the forward surface of the floatation box and another on the aft part of the athwartships seat. It was not too difficult and I am now putting the finish on the seats and the blocks. The seat supports on the athwartships seat were designed with this in mind, so it should make a pretty solid seating arrangement. The next "test drive" should happen this weekend, so we will see how it works. I will try to get pictures of the setup this evening when I get out to the shop. Steve Quote
Steve Day Posted June 9, 2004 Author Posted June 9, 2004 OK, here are the pictures. The names should give you an idea of what you are looking at. The seats have not been varnished yet, so the finish is not up to snuff. Sorry about that. Steve [attachment over 4 years old deleted by admin] Quote
Steve Day Posted June 9, 2004 Author Posted June 9, 2004 Here is one more. Steve [attachment over 4 years old deleted by admin] Quote
capt jake Posted June 9, 2004 Posted June 9, 2004 Steve!!! Speedy and great solution. It looks great. I think Graham would be proud, if not wanting designs to add to the plans. How smart is this solution?! A#1!! :) !!! Totaly great!! Quote
Guest Posted June 9, 2004 Posted June 9, 2004 I am impressed for sure. It looks better in the water, all put together. Three cheers for two things, making it to salt water and making headway under sail!!! Quote
Garry Posted June 9, 2004 Posted June 9, 2004 Very nice work Steve. I will be making a similar modification to mine based on your design. Thanks for sharing! Quote
Steve Day Posted June 9, 2004 Author Posted June 9, 2004 Thanks for the encouraging remarks. That is indeed high praise coming from you folks. You are the greatest. 8) Steve Quote
Steve Day Posted June 11, 2004 Author Posted June 11, 2004 Graham, Would you like detailed pictures and/or dimensions for the additional seats? Steve Quote
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