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Reedville · 25-10-2021, 17:21

Hi All

I'm thinking about buying my first sailboat. I'm looking for a classic looking, comfortable boat for day sails and weekends on the Chesapeake. I'm not really interested in speed but I must be able to single hand. I'm thinking the C.E. Ryder Sea Sprite 34 currently on Yachtworld with a 5 foot draft might be the boat.(See link below) Please share your opinions as to its suitability. How much of a negative is a 5 foot draft on the Chesapeake? She's kind of pricey for such an old boat but appears to be in great condition.

Thanks

https://www.yachtworld.com/yacht/198...te-34-8067158/

mabowers · 25-10-2021, 18:40

I don't know that boat, but C.E. Ryder did build well.

OutOfControl · 25-10-2021, 21:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reedville

Hi All

I'm thinking about buying my first sailboat. I'm looking for a classic looking, comfortable boat for day sails and weekends on the Chesapeake. I'm not really interested in speed but I must be able to single hand. I'm thinking the C.E. Ryder Sea Sprite 34 currently on Yachtworld with a 5 foot draft might be the boat.(See link below) Please share your opinions as to its suitability. How much of a negative is a 5 foot draft on the Chesapeake? She's kind of pricey for such an old boat but appears to be in great condition.

Beautiful boats and well built from my understanding.
Here is a link to the Sea Sprite Association site if you don't already have it.
There are a few 34's for sale in the classified section.

SEA SPRITE ASSOCIATION | for sea sprite sailboat lovers everywhere

Fatbob · 28-10-2021, 04:21

I recently purchased a 1985 Southern Cross 35 (also a C.E. Ryder build) and have been impressed with the build quality, fit and finish.

Sparx · 28-10-2021, 16:04

Five foot draft will get you into thousands of anchorages on the Chesapeake, including all the anchorages on Active Captain. Getting in and out of Reedville will be no problem.

Five foot draft will honor the navigation markers in the Chesapeake side creeks. Five foot draft will not be skating across the flats at Tangier or running between the fish traps in Ingram Bay and Dameron Marsh.

When really bad weather comes five foot draft can just barely sneak up into the totally protected places in Cockrell's Creek.

Reedville · 29-10-2021, 13:37

Thank you all for your feedback. Much appreciated !

gonesail · 29-10-2021, 14:00

they are classic designs and yours looks very nice. the exterior varnish will require seasonal maintenance. for what they are asking I would have expected a newer full battened main but I like the stack pack. she is a 1983 model .. make sure you can get insurance. the dark hull may require touch up should scratches occur. good luck

Reedville · 31-10-2021, 05:13

"Five foot draft will honor the navigation markers in the Chesapeake side creeks."

Hi Sparx

Thanks for your note it was very helpful. However, I don't quite understand the above sentence. Could you explain what you mean by "honor the navigation markers".

Thanks

Reedville

malbert73 · 31-10-2021, 07:45

The Sea Sprite 34 is based on the Luders 33 hull and design. I had a Luders and it was quite fast and very seakindly. With relatively narrow beam and slack bilges it will heel and roll more than newer designs.
I singlehanded my Luders a lot. Converted it from wheel to tiller also which was a great upgrade for me.

malbert73 · 31-10-2021, 07:46

Oh and re draft. I went everywhere in the Chesapeake with my Luders. 5 foot draft is fine for most places and harbors. My Luders actually displaced closer to 5’6” when loaded for cruising.

Sparx · 31-10-2021, 10:20

What was intended was to communicate that with 5 foot draft turning into the may creeks on the Chesapeake one will to well to keep the red markers on the right and the green markers on the left.

In reality I can think of number of places in your area where running outside the marked channels will be ok once you have some experience, but that is for you to decide when you are ready. For example, the first few markers coming off the Bay into the Great Wicomico, 5 foot draft MIGHT be able to navigate with care outside the marked channel, but running into Cockrell's Creek or Mill Creek or Ingram Bay the prudent skipper would be well served by staying strictly to the marked channel between the red and greens (honoring the red and greens).

**Adelie** · 31-10-2021, 18:53

Welcome.

I would suggest updating your profile with your general location and your boat make & model or “Looking” in the "Boat" category. This info shows up under your UserName in every post in the web view. Many questions are boat and/or location dependent and having these tidbits under your UserName saves answering those questions repeatedly. If you need help setting up your profile then click on this link: https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...ml#post3308797

I would happily help more if the link above is not enough.