This 1986 Naiad sailboat was made by Luna yachts in Oakville, Ontario. The Naiad is a wishbone cat rigged open boat that is about 18 feet long, is ballasted for stability, yet has full flotation and is self-bailing. It was designed by Mark Ellis, who designed the Nonsuch line. The specifications are: LOA: 18’3”, Beam: 6’, Displacement: 1100 lbs., Sail Area: 144, Draft: 3’8”/8”, ballast: 550 lbs. The mast is made from carbon fiber and only weighs 30 pounds.
Boat Information:
The ballast means that you don't have to hike out, just sit on the side benches. The self-bailing capability is nice because any water that comes in will drain out through the centerboard trunk. The full flotation is reassuring for peace of mind. When sailing, the boat has a very smooth motion, with no excessive weather helm, due to the balanced waterplane. The centerboard is unweighted, so you just pull it up with one line, and pull it down with another. It will kick up when it hits the bottom. The rudder floats up when not pulled down, and the boat can be easily steered when the rudder is up. This boat is perfect for shallow water exploring, stopping at sandbars, and coming into shore. There is a hatch in the forward cockpit decking that can store a considerable amount of gear.
The boat can carry a large crew, and small children love the boat. The wishbone boom has a benefit in that there is no boom swinging over at head height to hit anyone. The wishbone boom arrangement is very easy to reef. The sail made by Hood sets very well reefed or not, and the excess sail area when reefed rests in a cradle below the wishbone. The boat has a large sail, which I have come to appreciate. Even in light winds there is enough sail to get the boat going, and when it is going, the boat’s displacement keeps it going, even through chop. There is a detachable motor mount that came with the boat when I bought it. I carry a long paddle for zero wind, but generally just sail.
The boat comes with a custom stainless steel tabernacle to assist in raising and lowering the mast. The carbon fiber mast weighs about 30 pounds, and it is quite easy for one person to raise and lower using the tabernacle. I have an unused tiller bought new from the factory. I also have the outboard motor bracket that attaches to stainless steel mounts on the port side of the stern.
Condition:
I am selling her with the need to do 3 cosmetic items. The boat sails as well as ever without these items. The price reflects this.
1) The deck and hull are bonded fiberglass, but there is a wooden caprail that needs to be replaced. The wooden rubrails need to be sanded and varnished, and the portside bow section needs to be reattached.
2) The tiller needs to be sanded down and varnished, or replaced with the factory new one.
3) The aluminum castings at the bow and at the quarters need to be reattached after the caprail is replaced. Trailer The boat is on an aluminum trailer (bought in 2018) that when bought had a new torsion axle, new tires and wheels, and is in good shape.
The boat is on a trailer in Sarasota, Florida.
