Construction Info

By Patricia Brandlmayr

HULL: The hulls are hand laid-up in a one-piece female mold. The sandwich construction in the hull uses "Airex" PVC core for maximum stiffness and for both acoustic and thermal insulation. The "Airex" is started approximately 6" below the sheer and is carried below the turn of the bilge but not into the keel area. In this way, through-hulls and fittings can be installed easily in the solid glass areas in the bilges.

DECK: The deck, cabin and cockpit are also laid-up in a one-piece female mold. Sandwich for the deck is end-grain Balsa for maximum stiffness and insulation. Use of Balsa in the deck permits ease of installation of deck hardware to suit owner requirements at the time of construction and in the future. The Spencer hull and deck are joined while the hull is still in the mold to maximize fairness. The toerail is incorporated into the deck/hull joint which is achieved by means of successive layers of internal fiberglass bonds. The non-skid deck surface is an integral part of the deck mold.

BULKHEADS: Are of plywood and glassed to the hull to contribute to the transverse stiffness and to hull integrity. Longitudinal stiffness is achieved by glassing the various structural interior components to the hull.

BALLAST: The lead ballast in each case is precast in a cast iron mold to give precise control of the weight and shape. The center of gravity is kept effectively as low as possible by bolting the lead ballast along the bottom of the hull. (In the case of the S-35 the lead ballast is pre-molded pigs, placed in the cavity of the hull and glassed in place.) The stainless steel bolts are preset in the lead prior to pouring and extend into the bilge area after mounting so that they are accessible and visible for checking in the future.

TANKS: The standard tanks for fuel and water are pre-molded by hand lay-up to the shape of the hull and glassed in place to give maximum capacity and to keep the center of gravity as low as possible. Stainless steel inspection plates, in which the necessary fittings are attached, are used on the top of each tank. Additional saddle tanks and holding tanks are optional: size and location depend on the model and layout of the boat.

THROUGH-HULLS: Standard through-hull fittings are bronze, faired flush to the outside of the hull with bronze ball valves threaded to each.

CHAIN PLATES: are stainless steel welded "T" straps securely glassed to the hull and deck and to chain plate gussets or bulkheads, carefully spaced and secured to the hull and deck. The backstay plate is secured to the transom; and the stem fitting which has a standard roller for the anchor rode, is through-bolted to the bow.

JOINERWORK AND BELOW DECK FINISH: Finish below decks is in the tradition of wood and teak-faced bulkheads and cabin sides; solid teak handrails interior and exterior; solid teak framed door, companionways, and drawer fronts, all with a rubbed oil finish.

SPARS AND RIGGING: Masts and booms are extruded aluminum alloy sections suited to the rig. Finish is clear. Sloop rig is standard with ketch of cutter optional in most models. Customized rigs to suit the service intended are also optional. The boom is fitted with a slab reefing system and internal clew outhaul. Standing rigging is 1 x 19 stainless steel wire rope with swagged stainless toggles and turnbuckles.