Island Spirit 35 Bridgedeck Clearance

[Sid22]

Spotted one of these that looked interesting, but in the pics the bridgedeck seemed awfully low. Can anyone offer any experience or advice concerning the bridgedeck height? Are these decent boats in general? Any info is appreciated as we're gathering info before buying...Thanks

[Cotemar]

Sid22,

I would agree that the Island Spirit 35 bridgedeck is a little on the low side.
As a comparision, a FP Mahe 36 has 28 inch of bridgedeck clearance in crusing mode. I can drive my dingy with engine all the way through.

[Olorin]

Sid22,

I've got an Island Spirit 400. The bridgedeck clearance isn't a big issue but it does slam when the angles and waves are right, or wrong as it were.
We just sailed across the Sea of the Abacos in three foot waves at between 7.5 and 9 knots. We were taking waves ahead of the beam and it didn`t slam once.
Had a great sail.

[Southern Star]

Olorin, I'm not sure how the bridgedeck clearance compares between your Island Spirit 400 and the 35, but the picture of the 35 posted above seems to show the waterline at the level of the nuckle/shelf into the tunnel - something which I am confident was at least designed to be above the waterline. Even without slamming, this seems to be a very inefficient shape.

Brad