1st time to post. Clark Craft Sprinter 14 Ques?

[jessem]

Hello all

I am considering purchasing a 9 year old Sprinter 14 and would like some input on its sailing characteristics, etc.

I would like a small craft to serve as an intro to wooden boats and sailing on Oklahoma lakes. I would like to daysail, picnic, and camp? with 1-2 other adults and later a small child. It would need to be stable but still provide some excitement.

The boat I am looking at has been taken care and I like the open cockpit design. Any input on how it would handle, whether it is a good fit, etc. would be most appreciated.

Thanks
Jesse

[JimD]

Welcome to the forum, jessem. I'll copy/paste the low down on Sprinter 14 from Clark Craft's site:


SPRINTER 14http://www.clarkcraft.com/images/b740.jpgThe wide flat keel of this smart little 2 man daysailer should get her up on a plane very quickly and see her accelerate away from other boats of her size, particularly when sailing off the wind.
Her construction makes her a sturdy little boat and the watertight compartments result in an unsinkable hull that should support her crew even when fully swamped. The short foredeck leaves a big cockpit with room to work the gear, while the wide gunnels will make for comfortable hiking.
The hull is made over a framework of transom, two partial bulkheads, one full bulkhead and a temporary mold. There are no chine logs and the plywood panels are joined in the "stitch and glue" method, thus reducing the all up weight. The mast is shown as being a timber box section with 3/4 rig, giving plenty of scope for sail twitching.
The plans are well detailed and include full size patterns for constructing and fitting the mast and rigging. This is one of our latest designs, very easy for the amateur to build and we expect to see keen class racing develop, while the boat is still easily managed for family day sailing. Her normal crew for racing would be two while the mast has two positions so that she can be rigged with mainsail only for single handed sailing. This option may prove useful also when family sailing with very young children. With no headsail she will be extremely stable.
The cockpit will take four adults comfortably and the foredeck has space underneath for picnic gear. The cockpit is long enough to take a couple of camp mattresses which, with a cover slung over the boom turns the boat into a viable week ender. Plans complete with full size patterns.
http://www.clarkcraft.com/images/b740-1.jpg http://www.clarkcraft.com/images/b740-2.jpg
SAILBOAT - SPRINTER 14LENGTH14' 1"BEAM66"DRAFT C.B. UP6 1/2 "DRAFT C.B. DOWN34"SAIL AREA122 SQ. FT.CONSTRUCTION MATERIALPLYWOOD CONSTRUCTIONSTITCH & GLUE

Regarding the baby on board, I really like this part: Her normal crew for racing would be two while the mast has two positions so that she can be rigged with mainsail only for single handed sailing. This option may prove useful also when family sailing with very young children. With no headsail she will be extremely stable.

[Thorne]

Looks like a good choice!

[jessem]

Thanks for the replies. I was a day late on that boat, but will keep looking. Who knows may just have to build one.

Happy Holidays