spindrift

*MODEL*	LENGTH*	*MAX BEAM*	*NESTED LENGTH*	NESTED HEIGHT	*WEIGHT*	HP	*RIG/SA*	# **
Spindrift 9	9’ ½" 2.76m	4’ 1" 1.245m	N/A	N/A	70 - 80 32k - 37k	2 – 3	Cat/45 sq ft 4.18 sq. m	2/3
Spindrift 10	10’ 0" 3.048m	4’ 2 ½" 1.283m	N/A	N/A	80 - 95 36k - 43k	2 - 3	Cat/55 sq ft	2/4
Spindrift 11	11’ 0 " 3.353m	4’ 6 ½" 1.384m	N/A	N/A	85 - 105	3 - 4	Cat/65 sq ft	3/4
Spindrift 11S	11’ 0" 3.353m	4’ 6 ½" 1.384m	N/A	N/A	85 - 105	3 - 4	Slp/73 sq ft	3/4
Spindrift 12	12' 0" 3.657m	4' 6" 1.372m	N/A	N/A	95 -120	3-5	Cat/70 sq ft	4/5
Spindrift 12S	12’ 0" 3.657m	4' 6" 1.373m	N/A	N/A	95 - 120	3 - 5	Slp/85 sq ft	4/5
Spindrift 9N	9’ 0" 2.76m	4’ 1" 1.245m	4' 7"	20 3/4"	72 - 82	2 – 3	Cat/45 sq.ft	2/4
Spindrift 10N	10' 0" 3.048m	4’ 2 ½" 1.283	5' 1"	21 1/2"	77 - 87	2 – 3	Cat/55 sq ft	2/4
Spindrift 11N	11’ 0" 3.353	4’ 6 1/2" 1.384m	5' 7"	24"	88 - 110	3 - 4	Cat/65 sq ft	3/4

* N designates a nested Spindrift model: lengths are given as assembled/nested length

** Maximum recommended number of adult = 165# crew for normal use as a sailboat/ tender.

Nested lengths and heights listed in table for each model are given as the "red box" surrounding the nested boat drawn here.

The first Spindrift design was the 10' model. It was intended as a sailing tender for the larger yacht. Not long after the first few were built, we were invited to take part in a race for yacht tenders with a maximum length of 10'. There were dinghies of every description: Trinkas, Connies, Dyers all were represented, as well as some less well known brands and a few custom boats. In a six-day series, with three races per day, the Spindrift dominated the event - winning 18 races. She went on as undefeated in 84 consecutive races over several series during the following year. At this point several of the competitors got together with a local builder and designed and built a "Spindrift Slayer". That expensive custom job - which could do nothing but race, was humiliated in race after race. Sadly for our competitors, but happily for all involved, there was a massive sale of dinghies in that club, and a mad rush of Spindrift building. Today, that fleet is well established and ever growing. Many more classes of Spindrifts have sprung up around the country. Spindrifts have had overwhelming success everywhere they have raced:

She even won the WoodenBoat race in raging conditions, winning not only on corrected time, but over all against much larger boats, many of which were racing classes. Surprisingly, she also excels in drifting conditions and has won many a piece of silver for her "ghostly" ways in a gentle puff.

Many of our Spindrift families race their boats, then turn around and use them for cruising and voyaging as hard working tenders under oar and motor. They have won several regattas under both sail and oar which were open only to working tenders.

As a matter of fact, we have an open challenge to any other non-custom10' dinghy: A dinghy triathlon: sail, row, motor. The challenge is open to any commercially or home-built dinghy built from commercially available stock plans.

Spindrifts are a very good investment if you have jr. sailor in your family. Unlike many dinghies used for trainers (such as the Optimist) you do not "outgrow" a Spindrift. While the boat is very suitable for children and inexperienced adults, in the hands of a good competitive sailor, the boat offers the challenge of top end racing.

The 9', 10' are cat-rigged, the 11' and 12' come in your specified choice of cat or sloop rig. 9', 10' and 11' (cat rig) models all come in nesting versions too…so if a good sailing dinghy would enhance your cruising, you can find a model which will fit your yacht and your family exactly. If you need more carrying capacity in less length, take a look at our Catspaw pram series.

A Spindrift 11 about to come aboard in New Zealand and nestled on deck.

Nested Spindrift 9 with nested oars The Spindrift 10 is easily car-topped.	Nesting model prior to painting:this boat uses the optional floatation fore and aft. Note how the aft floatation seats are shaped to fit around the bow in the nested position. This picture shows a 10' model, but the 9 & 11 are set up the same way. Note that our nesting dinghies are built as a whole boat and are then cut in half between the installed bulkheads, avoiding any bumps or unfairness at the join. Nesting models allow you to carry a larger crew when you have limited deck space. This picture also illustrates the fairing of the fiberglass tape lines with thickened epoxy (this builder was painting, so chose a white thickener).
	A S12 ready for launching.