puffer Seaworthy?

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Mar 28, 2013
1
Alcort ort Puffer Amherst
A group of friends have purchased a puffer. We are heading to the coast of Maine to kayak and sail. The group is fairly experienced sailing and kayaking. Does anyone have any advice about sailing the Puffer in coastal waters.
 

CalebD

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Jun 27, 2006
1,479
Tartan 27' 1967 Nyack, NY
Here are the specs on the Puffer sailboat:
http://sailboatdata.com/viewrecord.asp?class_id=4975

For starters that looks like quite a fun boat to sail. It should be able to get up on plane and scoot across the water.

It should also be fairly easy to tip over and the coastal waters of Maine are cold even in August. You will want to have appropriate warm clothing, perhaps even a wet suit when sailing. Add in life jackets and you should be set.

My other observation is that the Puffer is a dagger board boat which means that the center board will not swing back if struck by something underneath. The coast of Maine is also notoriously rocky so there is a good chance the dagger board will make contact with rocks. Too much stress on the dagger board could break it and even damage the slot in the hull so raise the dagger board in shallow waters where it is rocky.

Most of all welcome to SBO and have fun up down east.
 
Oct 5, 2010
322
Catalina 30 mkII St. Augustine
My first boat was a puffer back in the mid 70's. I used to sail it in the waters around Annapolis and in the Chesapeake Bay. I had a lot of fun with it. It would capsize and go turtle but was easy to right. On a hot day it was fun to go in the water. However, it can be sailed conservatively and one can keep it upright without too much trouble. Have fun.
 
Oct 26, 2005
2,057
- - Satellite Beach, FL.
If you have a chance, check out "Small Craft Advisor". Lot's of good articles about dinghy cruising.
It's a good mag. I think available in bigger bookstores and supposedly at West Marine but I've never seen it there.
 
Mar 2, 2011
489
Compac 14 Charleston, SC
The Puffer has little ability to self-bail and with its bathtub shape will hold lots of water when you dip a rail. Bring a scoop to bail her out! Been there, done that, lost the T shirt!
 
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