Dear Mr Bick

It was most interesting to read your nice article on our Cruz dinghy which was forwarded to me by Martin Fry of Topper… it was also a reminder to me to join the DCA… I will do so promptly now!

It is very pleasing that you liked the hull. This attracted quite a following in Brightlingsea even at the plug stage — it is strange how some shapes seem to be particularly satisfying. Even with all our computery it is only when boats are built that we really know what we have!

The hull form is intended to be exceptionally well mannered and stable but slippery; I had a wonderful planing sail in Brightlingsea the other week in about 16-18 knots of wind. It covers ground much faster than one might expect from such craft and tacks through a finer angle also.

You are right about the possibility of sleeping on board alongside the case… in fact I was not too popular with the Whites at the deck plugmaking stage as the tank sides had to be moved outboard 40mm to fit me in the bottom! Whilst most owners may never sleep on board I regard it as important that such is possible for those who may want to do so.

The fully rotating mast/weathercocking ability of cantilever rigs seems to me to be a major safety factor enabling reefing without course adjustment.

The tiller and rudder system has now been improved substantially and there are a number of other detail enhancements in process.

The boat is to be built in Canada for the US market… coals to Newcastle you might think but there is actually nothing I know of comparable there. I used to subscribe to the Small Boat Journal but I think that has been defunct for some time now.

A tent system has been planned for some time and is I believe being prototyped at this very time.

Also last week I had a very friendly and encouraging call from a chap called Jim Stewart who has just sailed a Cruz some 200 miles from Limerick up to Lough Erne… I think he is to publish an account in PBO.

I would be very interested to read/see details of your Finn development. Was this published in the DCA magazine?

Hope the preceding is of interest and again thanks for the kind words.

Yours sincerely

Ian Howlett