Owning DRIFT

Looking forward at the rode locker and forepeak V berth. Storage shelves are port and starboard, water tanks are below berths.

Drawers and storage below the V berth

Looking aft from the forepeak to the saloon. Port hanging locker is on the right (louvered door), main mast and head compartment on the left

Recently rebuilt Groco head .

Main saloon portside settee berth. Note shelves and outboard storage lockers

Saloon portside looking aft to galley

One burner alcohol stove, built in ice box and voluminous storage compartments and drawers!

Saloon looking aft toward companionway ladder. Engine compartment is beneath the sink. GPS is hinged to fold out into the companionway.

Starboard settee berth w/ shelves, outboard storage lockers, VHF radio

Electric breaker panel, starboard side just forward of the settee berth. Outboard is a large hanging locker, below are 3 drawers.

Note the access hatch to the starboard cockpit locker from inside the saloon. Also, there is easy access to check engine belt tension, oil pan, etc. via the door below the sink.

Westerbeke Model 20 B-2, 18 HP FWC diesel. Installed 1992.

The front cabinet panel and sink counter top are easily removed for excellent access to all engine, transmission and thru hull appurtenances making fuel and oil filter changes simple and tidy.

Drift Particulars

LOA- 31′ 3″
Beam- 8′ 8″
Draft- approx. 5′ fully loaded

Designed by Robert G. Henry and built in Bremen, Germany by Dutch builder Johann Dedood and Sohns of mahogany planking over white oak frames, keel and deck beams. Plank fasteners are bronze screws, keel bolts are bronze and the ballast keel is cast iron. The laid teak deck over marine plywood subdeck (blind fastened- no bungs!) and mahogany house with painted epoxy/canvas roof were both new circa 2002. The 18 HP fresh water cooled Westerbeke diesel installed new circa 1992 has only 1400 hours, has been well maintained and runs impeccably! The wheel steering is pedestal mounted with a 5″ White Constellation compass binnacle. The compass was professionally rebuilt in 2016.

Prior hull repairs/ improvements (circa early 1990s) include new keel timber, stem, sternpost, some below waterline planks and deadwood (yard records of repairs by Brooklin Boat Yard available) and some topside planks were replaced earlier. (I have analog photos of the boat from when it was bright finished, probably circa 1980s)

From 2017-2019 the bottom was wooded, over 100 bronze screws were removed and inspected, two were replaced, many screws were re-bunged, all seams below the waterline were reefed, recaulked, primed, payed, the whole bottom primed and 2 coats of antifouling paint were applied.

All sails are in good condition, still fairly crisp, age unknown. 140% Genoa on roller furler, main with one slab reef point & mizzen by Shore Sails, assym cruising spinnaker with dousing sock and matching mizzen staysail.

Sitka spruce main and mizzen masts, booms and spinnaker pole are bright finished and in beautiful condition.

Systems include Lewmar electric anchor windlass, basic electronics including VHF radio, Autohelm ST3000 wheel self steering, Garmin GPS, Signet knotmeter and depth sounder and 3- 12vdc power points in the saloon. Starting and house (deep cycle) batteries with Guest 3 way switch are in the starboard cockpit locker. 30 gallons of water storage in 2 soldered copper tanks with electric pump supplied galley faucet. Approximately 10 gallon poly fuel tank. One burner alcohol stove and insulated, built in ice box.

There are 3 bilge pumps. The automatic Rule (800 GPH) float switch actuated pump was new in 2016 and handles day to day seepage easily. The Jabsco Water Puppy (6.3 GPM) is switched at the DC Panel, draws from the deepest part of the bilge and got a new impellor and O-ring in 2019 and works as a good backup. The 3″ bronze Navy hand pump mounted in the starboard cockpit locker moves more water than the other two combined and is the steadfast backup for emergency situations and just received new leathers in 2016.

The enclosed head was renovated in 2015 with new paint, varnished ceiling and mahogany towel racks and features a recently rebuilt hand pumped Groco marine toilet with 5 gallon poly holding tank. Head sink has no faucet fixture but plumbing is in place if you can find a classic one.

From bow to stern the belowdecks arrangement is: anchor rode locker (220′ 5/8″ nylon 3 strand, 20′ 5/16″ galvanized chain, 35 lb CQR anchor stowed on bow roller), V-berth with water tanks and storage drawers beneath. On the port side is a small hanging locker. Starboard side is the enclosed head with dual purpose door that also serves to isolate the forepeak for privacy.

Port side amidships is a single settee/berth with storage shelving outboard and above followed by the galley with one burner alcohol stove, ample storage lockers and insulated ice box. The folding swim ladder is usually stowed in the well of the port berth. Starboard side is a combo hanging locker with a built in base cabinet with counter top and 3 drawers followed by a single settee/berth. The 12 volt breaker panel and anchor windlass switch are mounted above the counter top. The starboard berth has storage shelves outboard and a hinged access door to the cockpit locker. Both saloon berths have storage drawers and access to bulk storage beneath and outboard them.

The galley sink, cutting board and more storage lockers are located behind the saloon ladder and the sink/ cutting board and cabinet front are easily removable for convenient engine access. There is approximately 5′ 10″ of standing head room in the saloon. There are nine oblong bronze portholes, a beautiful mahogany butterfly hatch and a mahogany/lexan hatch in the forepeak as well as a gorgeous sliding mahogany companionway hatch that light and ventilate the cabin wonderfully. Custom made screens for the forehatch and companionway door keep the nasties out.

The cockpit is large enough for two adults to sleep fully stretched out in fine weather, with port and starboard storage lockers for dockline, fender and fishing gear storage and a rear door for access to the rudder post/ emergency tiller. Finally, on the after deck is a varnished mahogany hatch accessing a small lazarette where the stern anchor (200′ 1/2″ nylon 3 strand on a 25 lb. Danforth) is stowed, with room for fins, dive gear and miscellaneous stowage. There is a Lifesling rescue appliance mounted on the stern pulpit. The primaries are beautiful bronze Barient 2 speed self tailing Model 22 sheet winches, with Barlowe 15 single speed secondaries. There are 2 bronze halyard winches on the mainmast.

A beautiful, folding mahogany table that fits perfectly in the saloon or the cockpit is stowed suspended from the overhead in the forepeak. There are tan canvas sail covers for the main and mizzen and matching canvas covers to protect the three varnished cabin top hatches.

The International 500s are highly regarded as comfortable, safe and able family sized boats perfectly suited for coastal cruising, weekending or daysailing and are known to possess a pleasantly surprising turn of speed. Drift often shows her transom to larger and newer yachts, frequently getting friendly, appreciative waves as she leaves behind what should be faster boats.

They were thoughtfully designed with many details not commonly found in boats of this size. The quality of materials and construction are evident throughout and this boat has been well loved and cared for by it’s owners, past and present. Drift garners admiring looks and comments wherever she sails and anchors.

Please click or copy and paste this link for a brief video drive by…