Building a Spindrift Nesting Dinghy

[pesarsten]

Can anyone comment on the stability of the 10 ft Spindrift, I know it wont match an inflatable, but, how would you rate it. Since I can't afford a new Bauer 8 ( maybe I should start a Go-Give-Me-Money page) would this be a good choice for a 6ft 250 lb'er like me?

[Matt Johnson]

Our 9’ Spindrift was insanely stable for a hard dinghy. Never did I feel uncomfortable with its performance.

Matt

[Matt Johnson]

He was ours.

Matt

[pesarsten]

Do the plans come with full size layouts ?

[Offshore1960]

I share your dislike of inflatables.

Here is another great nesting dingy kit from Port Townsend water craft. really nice looking boat, sails and rows great, lightweight and easy to put together. It's the PT 11
PT Eleven Nesting Dinghy home page

[ZULU40]

Originally Posted by HopCar

Zulu40, if you like the idea of skin on frame folding dinghies, take a look at Fliptail.
Here is a video of one being folded and carried away in less than Minute and a half.

It will also go better than ten knots with just a 2.5 hp motor.

yes thank you sir Ive seen them
actually Yachting Monthly ran a series of videos on various demountable dinghy's, I watched them all

What I dont like about that particular boat is it wont take to grounding any better, possibly worse than an inflatable. A solid bottom it seems to me is required, but maybe thats just me ...

similar thing, this fella is a liveaboard and offers plans

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4sD0ownveI

[Franziska]

This video also gives some impression of the stability.
You can see it when he has her up again and sits on the side.
A self bailer or foam in the deck might help further...

https://youtu.be/KsdbF9VO5eM

[BigNickMontana]

Originally Posted by Offshore1960

I share your dislike of inflatables.

Here is another great nesting dingy kit from Port Townsend water craft. really nice looking boat, sails and rows great, lightweight and easy to put together. It's the PT 11
PT Eleven Nesting Dinghy home page

You are right, the PT-11 is a very nice craft, however it is 2500.00 for the kit not including epoxy! that is just the wood and hardware!

Call me crazy, but that is a bit much for something that is going to be used like a truck on the water.

I had seriously looked at that dinghy until I was sent into involuntary palpitations when I read the price.

I am beginning to think that when you attach the word Port Townsend to anything the price automatically triples or quadruples!

Or as I like to call it.. THE WEST MARINE EFFECT!

[Bill O]

Originally Posted by pesarsten

Can anyone comment on the stability of the 10 ft Spindrift, I know it wont match an inflatable, but, how would you rate it. Since I can't afford a new Bauer 8 ( maybe I should start a Go-Give-Me-Money page) would this be a good choice for a 6ft 250 lb'er like me?

Pesasten,
We have the 10' SD, I'm 6'3" and would think you'd be fine in the 10'. It is fairly stable. If I were to make another, would increase the freeboard slightly to make rowing easier.

We run a 5 hp 2 stroke and it pushes 2 of us (with gear) around at 11kts in calmer water. With the original freeboard height, would only carry 3 adults max.

Bill O.

[BigNickMontana]

Originally Posted by Bill O

Pesasten,
We have the 10' SD, I'm 6'3" and would think you'd be fine in the 10'. It is fairly stable. If I were to make another, would increase the freeboard slightly to make rowing easier.

We run a 5 hp 2 stroke and it pushes 2 of us (with gear) around at 11kts in calmer water. With the original freeboard height, would only carry 3 adults max.

Bill O.

How much would you want to increase the freeboard?

[Franziska]

@BigNick

I looked at the PT11 as well. Truely an awesome and very nice boat, I settled for the Spindrift as there are no plans for the PT11 and shipping a kit to Europe is insane.
Still I feel the Spindrift will be more versatile.

Did the costing on mine. 850€ total, including CNC cut panels (I drew them over the drawings I bought from B&B), Epoxy, Glass and Paint.

Rig and fittings come from an old broken Laser Radial which I was gifted.

[Bill O]

Originally Posted by BigNickMontana

How much would you want to increase the freeboard?

Probably 3-4". This would also allow for slightly longer, more efficient oars for rowing.

Bill O.

[Franziska]

Plan to build in May.

[BigNickMontana]

Originally Posted by Franziska

@BigNick

I looked at the PT11 as well. Truely an awesome and very nice boat, I settled for the Spindrift as there are no plans for the PT11 and shipping a kit to Europe is insane.
Still I feel the Spindrift will be more versatile.

Did the costing on mine. 850€ total, including CNC cut panels (I drew them over the drawings I bought from B&B), Epoxy, Glass and Paint.

Rig and fittings come from an old broken Laser Radial which I was gifted.

Originally Posted by Bill O

Probably 3-4". This would also allow for slightly longer, more efficient oars for rowing.

Bill O.

Originally Posted by Franziska

Plan to build in May.

I think I have my mind made up, going to do the nidacore spindrift with the kevlar bottom.

Now the only question is do I go 10 or 11 feet?

[Bill O]

The 11' would be nice. Followed some modifications from this site. The connectors are especially nice and makes assembly much easier and more robust.

Instead of ply could make it out of HDU board. This would increase the cost but it will never rot and may make it lighter.

Bill O.