My Intro

[Hirilonde]

Hello all! I've been reading the messing-about boards for a while now and even joined and made a few posts already. I found this forum as a result of B&B and the fact that I bought plans for a Spindrift 9N so I will make my into here.

I live in RI but work as a carpenter in a boatyard in CT. My son is off in college and my daughter is nearly done with high school. This fact (the financial aspect of it) and that I have a free place to store a boat meant it was time to get back into sailing.

Last fall I bought 1967 Pearson Renegade #51. http://www.renegade27.org/ It was structually sound but a mess. I spent 8 months refitting her and have enjoyed daysailing this summer. Now this winter I add cushions, hopefully a dodger and a dinghy. This should make her ready for some serious cruising next summer.

I spent a ton of time researching and debating the pros and cons of almost every conceivable option for a tender. I want a dinghy that rows and sails well. I want one that tows well but can be put on the deck of a 27 footer for long passages or stormy weather. I want to sail into a harbor in the afternoon on Hirilond

[Gordy Hill]

Welcome aboard Dave!

Sounds like the Spindrift will be just the ticket.

[Garry]

The Spindrift is a good choice since you will probably be towing the dinghy a lot. I believe it will tow with a lot less strain than the pram style. Getting it aboard when going outside is good but often the conditions don't seem to warrant that.

Be sure to have a long tow line so you can let it out in following seas. I had one surf into my stern a few times at an entrance with an outgoing tide making the waves stand up. Besides the tricky entrance, I spent the next few minutes dodging the dinghy!

[rlchenry]

Of course, I can recommend the Spindrift 9N.

It has turned out to be a great boat for us.

Sailing

Motoring

And towing!