The four boats evaluated in this category are all cut from the same cloth. All have sloop rigs; trailerable, shoal-draft hulls; and cabins arranged in spacesaving vee-berth/ quarter berth configuration. And except forthe Mirage 5.5, which is more of a racer than a cruiser, all have similar basic sail control gear. What distinguishes the boats are subtle differences like the slant of a cockpit seat, the layout of a deck, the amount of space devoted to a galley or storage, or even the color scheme on the gelcoat. Here's what the judges thought of them.
Sprindrift 19
Jim Taylor's Spindrift 19, like his Spindrift 22 (SBf#38), is in many ways a quintessential production trailer/sailer, striving to address the popular desire for basic cruising accommodations, low maintenance, simple sailhandling, and trailerability.
Like the other weekend cruisers, Spindrift's cabin arrangement features a vee
berth forward and two quarterberths aft. Each berth is 6 1/2 feet long. The optional galley/ sink is located next to the companionway steps, where it doesn't intrude on valuable .bunk space and where ventilation is best. There is sitting headroom on the low quarter berths, and sleeping headroom in the vee-berth. Beneath the vee-berth there's room for a chemical head.
Again, like most of the other weekenders, Spindrift's deck and cockpit layout is simple and functional. Except for the teak companionway pin boards and trim and mahogany tiller, there is little else but white fiberglass to greet the eye. It doesn't demand much maintenance, but then it seemed a bit plain to the judges. There's comfortable sailing space for three in the cockpit and good high backed coamings. A closed locker is provided for sails and other equipment and a slatted open compartment serves for a gas tank.
The sloop is simply rigged for uncomplicated sail handling. The mainsheet leads from the end of the boom to a 4: 1 Harken block with cam cleat at the transom. The jib sheet blocks attach to a short but adjustable track on the cabin roof. These worked well, but are out of the helmsman's reach and limit the variety of headsails one can use on the boat. Halyards and outhaul are secured at the mast.
An anchor locker adds a bit of convenience to deck work, and the optional bow pulpit and lifelines add to deck safety. Owens would have appreciated having grab rails for going forward.
Spindrift showed commendable responsiveness under sail. Helped by the deep draft of her foil-shaped, unballasted centerboard and the close sheeting angles permitted by her inboard shrouds, she pointed well, tacked with alacrity, and generally proved easy to sail. Gerr was particularly taken with the nylon cruising spinnaker, a $330 option, made by Spindrift's in-house sail loft. He found it was simple to set and "pulled like a mule" in light air.
The judges encountered some difficulties manipulating the pennants of the centerboard and the kick-up rudder, but they felt these controls could be gotten used to. They also strongly recommended equipping the boat with a vang and reefing gear. But overall, they felt the 19 did a good job of balancing the contradictory needs of cruising space and sailing performance, and called it an excellent first boat for anyone not primarily interested in racing.
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Sprawling Room. Galley chores can be done at the foot of the Sprindrift 19's companionway (right), saving more room for sprawling below. Nothing except the tiller intrudes into her clean cockpit. (below)
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