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Spindrift 13
Designer: Hubert Vandestadt  ·  Builder: Vandestadt & Mcgruer  ·  First built: 1965
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About the Spindrift 13

Designed by renowned naval architect Hubert Vandestadt and built by the respected Vandestadt & McGruer yard, this compact centerboard dinghy represents classic 1960s European sailing craftsmanship. First launched in 1965, the Spindrift 13 found favor with sailors seeking a nimble, responsive daysailer that could handle a variety of conditions while remaining manageable for smaller crews. At just over 13 feet with a 5-foot beam, this fiberglass sloop strikes an appealing balance between stability and performance. The centerboard configuration provides shallow-water versatility while maintaining reasonable pointing ability, making it well-suited for exploring coastal waters, protected bays, and inland lakes. With 100 square feet of sail area driving just 205 pounds of displacement, the boat offers spirited performance in light to moderate conditions. The fractional sloop rig keeps the center of effort low while providing good sail control, contributing to the boat's reputation for being both exciting and forgiving. Production of approximately 800 units over the years speaks to its enduring appeal among sailors who appreciate traditional design principles executed with modern materials. This makes it an excellent choice for recreational sailing, sailing instruction, or anyone seeking an authentic small-boat sailing experience with proven seaworthiness.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 13.33 ft / 4.06 m
Beam 5.18 ft / 1.58 m
Max Draft 3.00 ft / 0.91 m
Min Draft 0.33 ft / 0.10 m
Displacement 205.00 lb / 93 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 100.00 ft² / 9.29 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Centerboard Dinghy
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Hubert Vandestadt
Builder Vandestadt & McGruer
First Built 1965
Number Built 800
Related Sailboats Enterprise Int · 420 · Lark 13 · International Fj · Ok Dinghy
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Performance Ratios
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
62.92
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
2.95
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 4.51 kn
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 1.26 pounds/inch
How It Compares

vs. 420, Enterprise Int, International Fj, Lark 13, Ok Dinghy

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Spindrift 13 ★
13.3 ft
420
13.8 ft
Enterprise Int
13.3 ft
International Fj
13.2 ft
Lark 13
13.3 ft
Ok Dinghy
13.1 ft
LWL
Spindrift 13 ★
420
13.2 ft
Enterprise Int
International Fj
12.3 ft
Lark 13
12.8 ft
Ok Dinghy
Beam
Spindrift 13 ★
5.2 ft
420
5.4 ft
Enterprise Int
5.3 ft
International Fj
5.3 ft
Lark 13
5.5 ft
Ok Dinghy
4.9 ft
Displacement
Spindrift 13 ★
205 lbs
420
220 lbs
Enterprise Int
200 lbs
International Fj
165 lbs
Lark 13
185 lbs
Ok Dinghy
159 lbs
Sail Area
Spindrift 13 ★
100 sq ft
420
Enterprise Int
International Fj
104 sq ft
Lark 13
120 sq ft
Ok Dinghy
91 sq ft
Performance
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Spindrift 13 ★
420
Enterprise Int
International Fj
55.4
Lark 13
59.2
Ok Dinghy
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Spindrift 13 ★
3.0
420
Enterprise Int
2.8
International Fj
2.2
Lark 13
2.3
Ok Dinghy
2.5
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Spindrift 13 ★
420
Enterprise Int
International Fj
3.83
Lark 13
3.86
Ok Dinghy
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Spindrift 13 ★
62
420
42
Enterprise Int
61
International Fj
Lark 13
Ok Dinghy
51
Hull Speed
Spindrift 13 ★
4.5 kts
420
Enterprise Int
4.5 kts
International Fj
4.7 kts
Lark 13
4.8 kts
Ok Dinghy
4.5 kts
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