1976/1994 Nor'star Flicka, Dolphin Spirit

[Dolphin Spirit Under Sail]

Boat Name: Dolphin Spirit

Year Built: 1976/1994

Double Headed Sloop (cutter) Rigged

Builder: Nor'star Fiberglass Yachts, Santa Barbara, California and Westerly Marine, Newport Beach, California



African Moon, the Flicka WebCaptain's boat, was sold on August 4th, 2000, and named Dolphin Spirit.

"We conducted a sea trial on African Moon, Thursday, August 3rd,2000, the wind was very light, the sky overcast, a light rain punctuated the setting. We set all canvas while still heading downwind and turned the motor off. Her white sails, raised to the gray sky, filled with the wind. African Moon heel gently, dug her shoulder into the quite water and showed her power. The water slipped by at 4 knots as she sailed through the reflected sky. We turned to head back, the lee rail went down a few more degrees and the water slipped by her hull, faster now. The old surveyor, a former Captain of Pride of Baltimore, took the tiller and was pleased. I stood at the end of the bowsprit, looked back and wonder .... It was magic."

Fair Winds, African Moon, Fair Winds Dolphin Spirit.

Former Owner's Comments

Dolphin Spirit is a Nor'star/Westerly professionally built custom aft-cabin Flicka. The hull and main cabin were designed by Bingham, whereas the aft-cabin, interior and sail plan were designed by Clyde Butcher. The hull and main cabin were built in 1976 by Nor'star Fiberglass Yachts, Santa Barbara, California. Aft cabin, decks, cockpit, interior and rigging were completed by Westerly Marine, Newport Beach, California. The interior of both cabins is finished with fine hardwoods - Hawaiian koa, mahogany, teak, oak and cherry.

[Dolphin Spirit Sailing Up the Chester River, MD] Dolphin Spirit was completely rebuilt and refitted over a 5 year period from 1989 to 1994 and recommissioned in 1994. In addition, all mechanical and electrical systems were replaced with new equipement. Dolphin Spirit's length on deck (LOD) is 20 ft. and length overall (LOA) is 27 ft. with bowsprit and bumpkin. Her empty displacement is 6,500 lb. Working sail area with main, staysail and jib is 400 sq. ft. The specifications for the boat (empty) are as follows:

Specifications

	LOA	27'
	LOD	20'
	Beam	8'
	Draft	3' 9"

	Displacement (empty)		6,500 lb.
	Displacement (fuel & water)	7,200 lb.
	Ballast				2,500 lb.

	Sail area to disp. ratio	18.4
	Disp. to length ratio		484
	Stability factor		1.7
	Brewer Comfort ratio		30 (Valiant 40 = 33)

1. Particulars are believed to be correct, but are not guaranteed. The Web Designer is not responsible for typographical errors.

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©: copyright 1999 Rod Bruckdorfer