Spindrift 11N

[john_banfield]

Hi Everyone,

I am considering the Spindrift 11N and have a few questions. 

Some background:  We have an Allied Seawind II (32ft) and plan to put the dink behind the mast.  It'll fit - we currently have an 8ft RIB there.  I want a hard dinghy but also like to snorkle, scuba dive and surf.  We are going around the world.  Weight wise, I am 6'1 and 200lb.  My wife is 5'7 (and average build, weight a secret    My thinking is that the 11 footer might be more stable and up to the loads we sometimes carry.

I was wondering if anyone can help me with a few questions:

1/  Is the 11N stable enough to get back into from the water without having someone balance the boat?

2/  Has anyone put on flotation tubes/inflatable collar on an 11N like Dinghy Dogs?  (http://dinghydogs.com/Text/comparison.html)  I always like the idea of a proper sailing dink with the stability of our RIB.

3/  Is 11ft overkill for a couple?  We do occasionally need to carry four people.

4/  Can the boat plane with two people and the shopping?  I currently have a 5hp 2 stroke mercury, probably too heavy though.

Sorry for the pop quiz!

Thanks in advance,

John

[Garry]

Hi John,

I believe the 11N would work well for you. The extra capacity gives you better seakeeping for two in rough water. And its a fun boat to sail around the harbor if you can store the 3 piece mast, boom, c-board and rudder (maybe no room for this stuff on a cruise).

For climbing into the boat from the water, you probably will need some kind of flotation. I have thought of using a large boat fender and tieing it in place when you get ready to dive. I'm sure the dinghy dogs would work.

You will probably want to beef up the transom to try to plane with a load and to use 5 hp. Mine is showing a few cracks with only a small electric trolling motor. Also, planing with a load adds a lot of stress to the bottom especially in rough water. The nesting dinghy necessarily has a large area of bottom in the stern section that is unreinforced. You will see the bottom flex a bit. Check with Graham on this topic.

Here are some pics of mine: http://www.pbase.com/sailrosita/expedition_dinghy

Keep us posted!!!