My New Boat - Drifter 17 Trimaran

[@sirkyoj1]

She’s beautiful. Just slices over the water surface!

[@RusinVanDyke]

Hi, yes, she is well designed, responsive, and quite good looking. Just as a "she" should be. Trimarans are particularly well suited for having an easy entry and exit into the water. Put a fresh cover on her yesterday, as we had a storm that blew out the old one. I was standing there when it happened. A Harbor-Freight silver variety that was almost one year old.

[@Sailingchris]

Looks really good! Love the boat. Great size to handle. Looks well built! Love to see more of your boat!!

[@RusinVanDyke]

Thanks. I listed a website in the description that contains links to the design and build of the Drifter. You may have to hunt and peck to find pictures. As far as I know it is the only one built - yes, Mark did a good job. I wanted trailerable, a cabin, and a dry(er) sailer. I will have more clips shortly, although nothing like yours.

[@RusinVanDyke]

Oh, and I looked at the Chryz10 but it was too wet (and $) for my current sailing lifestyle. And, I am not sure how she would take to Lake Erie with 15 out of the north.

[@Sailingchris]

@@RusinVanDyke Yes, I see the site now! It looks soo cool! I have built a small 18 ft trimaran my self during the last couple of years, and done some improvements every year. It took a while until I know what I wanted. I could not sleep in my, and it would take me too much time to build a new one where I could sleep, and I was tired of building, and last autumn, I bought a Corsair Dash 750. Mainly because I just wanted out and sail. Its little too big some times maybe, but also great. Here is a video of my home build trimaran kzbin.info/www/bejne/gGiTp4N_jM6Br5Y

[@Sailingchris]

@@RusinVanDyke Yeah, my design had many many flaws, and focus was some weekly racing in rather small waves. my Chryz10 Outlaw, has a sweet spot of 12-18 knots of wind. Less, its slow, above its dangerous :) Maybe I will design and build something new in the future, that is a bit better, bit easier, bit faster, or just fun

[@stevenmellet5555]

Your mast rotator lever is centred, ease it out to 30-45degrees off centreline to get more power in the mainsail. You only want it centred like you have it in this video when it's really blowing & you want to depower the main. Lovely boat, I don't think Mark sold plans for it?

[@RusinVanDyke]

Hi Steven, it is my understanding that the mast should be set such that it is parallel to the wind. There is no standard degree setting. It is based on current wind speed and direction (apparent, not true) based on boat speed. You want the mast to direct the wind onto the sail in a non-disruptive fashion, not to act as a forward flap/slat such as on an airplane. This was my first time sailing the boat and I may have had the mast rotation set too tight on this initial outing. Thanks for your thoughtful input and please direct me to an educational resource if my understanding is incorrect. I am assuming that too much angle on the mast would cause wind disruption on the windward side of the sail and potentially lead to luffing due to the decreased pressure at the windward luff of the main. In any case, the leach tell tails were streaming nicely. I have simple plans from Mark if you get me your email. I have thought about selling the boat but haven't listed it yet. I have too much stuff. Rus

[@RusinVanDyke]

Also, apparent wind higher on the mast will be more forward than lower on the mast.

[@BAJATWIN]

I’m the I all ways forget something when I head out and been on the edge of storms heading back in always a great feeling sailing faster then the monohulls

[@RusinVanDyke]

Hi, I am stubborn and don't have a physical list of items to check when getting ready to go out. I just try to keep everything in order and go through a mental checklist. Getting older doesn't help.

[@deanoseadog]

That is a nice boat. Looks pretty fast too.

[@RusinVanDyke]

It is!

[@rolandorfortunato456]

Good afternoon Mr. Van Dyke nice video of the Drifter from the looks of it she must not weigh that much if she can be towed by a small car I would imagine you don't have to worry about heeling like the siren by the way I have not seen the siren on craigslist anymore I imagine you sold her. Congratulations on your new sailboat .

[@RusinVanDyke]

Thank you. Trimarans have their own set of rules to follow when it comes to sailing them hard. My Siren is sold. Drifter weighs 650#. I easily pulled the Siren with the same car.

[@CmdrPrompt]

Lovely boat, only three foot more than my Weta, but lots more of a boat. I wouldn’t have believed there was a 17 foot small cabin trimaran out there unless i saw it. Do you know how much it weighs? Must be pretty light weight.

[@RusinVanDyke]

As far as I know this is the only boat of its type - Mark only built one. Mark stated it weighs about 650# - plywood/epoxy composite.

[@sam1961jan1]

lovely small fast boat. can she travel off shore away from coast?

[@RusinVanDyke]

Hi Sam, I sail on Lake Erie in Ohio where conditions can change very rapidly. I closely watch the weather. You can go anywhere in most any boat until conditions don't warrant it. I would not recommend this 17' boat for dedicated/extensive offshore sailing. It is designed for multi-day exploring along the shoreline/coast where there are protected anchorages and dockage, and for leisure day sailing. Not all lines run to the cockpit. Rus.

[@glennvaughan9771]

where did you get the mast for her?

[@RusinVanDyke]

Hello Glenn, the mast was also built by Mark. I tried some of the links that showed its' construction, but they no longer appear to work. I will have a maintenance/repair video uploaded in a few months that will show some mast details. It is primarily ply, wood blocking, foam, and glass, with a slotted tube for the sail track. Well made and light. Here are some links that might help you with finding the photos of the mast build: smalltrimaran.co.uk/drifter-17-trimaran-building-plans-now-available-in-pdf/ smalltrimaran.co.uk/building-the-drifter-17-trimaran-interview-with-mark-gumprecht/ Ok, here is a better one: www.boatdesign.net/threads/multihull-structure-thoughts.62361/page-60 Good luck, Rus

[@seiyo2965]

重いエンジンでないのが良いね👍

[@RusinVanDyke]

Hi, yes the electric motor is about 30 pounds. Not heavy.

[@RusinVanDyke]

Actually, it is about 15 pounds!