Key details
- Current boat name
- Spindrift E 23
- Boat class
- 6936
- Sail number
- 23
- Function
- Sports and Leisure
- Type
Dimensions and specifications
- Length (m / ft)
- 3.05 / 10ft
- Beam (m / ft)
- 1.37 / 4ft 6in
- Leeward
- Centreboard
- Masts
- 1 Wood
- Rig type
- Gunter
- Propulsion
- Sail
Design and build
- Designer
- Reiach H
- Design date
- 1919
- Date of build
- 1950
- Place of build
- Rock Ferry
Current status
- Present use
- Museum/MMM
History
SPINDRIFT was built in 1950 by the Enterprise Small Craft Co of Rock Ferry, Birkenhead. She is a West Cheshire Clipper class dinghy which was designed by Herbert Reiach in 1919 as a safe and comfortable boat, and a number were built in the North West. In 1929 the class was adopted by the West Mersea Yacht Club in Essex and in 1930 by the West Cheshire Sailing Club. By 1957 there were 26 boats which were being used by the local Wallasey Yacht Club and the Royal Mersey Yacht Club. Vintage Clipper Class dinghies are still sailed locally. GH Oct 2012 (Article in Classic Boat 2000 March p 93) The class suffered a decline in popularity in the 1960's with the introduction of new modern designs but there are still some Clipper Class dinghies being raced around Merseyside. GH Mar 2015