Golden Hind 31

This cutter-rigged sailing yacht was built in 1966 at the Hartwell Shipyards in Southampton, with build number 13. The design is by Marice Griffith.

The Golden Hind 30 'Spoondrift' is a cutter-rigged sailing yacht and was built in 1966 at the Hartwell Shipyards in Southampton, with build number 13. The design is by Marice Griffith, and the boat has a hard-chine hull and is steered with a tiller.

The boat is 9.60 meters long, 2.73 meters wide, and has a draft of 1.10 meters. The air draft is 12 meters. Until about 1980, it was built at the yard of Tery Erskine with a wooden hull (after that, the hulls were made of fiberglass).

This wooden hull is extremely strong. The frame plan is very stiff and solid, and the hardwood used is heavy. The plywood skin plating varies from 8 to 12-15 mm and was largely covered with a layer of canvas during construction (known in England as 'cascover sheathed'). This layer glued to the wood forms a solid foundation for the paint system. It also provides extra structure and stiffness to the hull.

The interior offers sleeping places for 4 people in fixed beds and an extra sleeping place. The standing height inside is 1.90 meters. The accommodation is equipped with mattresses, cushions, and a cooking appliance. The cooking area is equipped with a double-burner Optimus kerosene stove, as there is no gas on board. There is no hot water available, but the water tank can easily be enlarged. There is also the possibility to install a waste water tank. The toilet is manual, and the toilet discharge goes directly into open water.

Spoondrift is in terms of performance upwind certainly not comparable to modern yachts, but what a lovely ship on all other courses, and on the mudflats, and to withstand a few days of storm at sea and also at anchor and in the harbor, when you are happy with the enormous living space below decks.

For information and viewing: 0031-6-10359729.