9' ft Sporer 30 Custom Sloop (J-29 Comp.) 1984

Builder/Designer: David Sporer

Dimensions:
LOA: 29.9' LWL: 24' Beam: 9.5'
Displacement: 7300 lbs. Draft: 5.7' Ballast: 3600 lbs.

Engine:Gray Marine Engine(s) HP: 30 HP Engine Model: S.S. 91 Gasoline Cruising Speed: 6 knots

ARTICLE: Regatta Magazine - Fall 1986

FIDDLER Passes Pack with Sporer's Custom Design

"There was nothing on the market that we liked," says Bill Sporer. "We wanted something better and different than what the market had to offer." After countless hours of looking for a new boat, Bill ( with the help of his nephew and son) took matters into his own hands - they built their own sail racer.

Sporer's nephew designed the boat, he says, "My son, Michael and I, along with David, built the boat ourselves. It took a year and a half to finish. We began building the boat in the late fall of 1983 and completed the project in the spring of 1985 and stated serious sailing that year."

Serious racing is exactly what the Sporers did. In their first year racing FIDDLER the collected countless wins in regular weekend races. "Last year we won our Class in the DRYA for the summer, the overall season, and were second MORC overall boat last year," Sporer continues, "This year we took first for MORC boat of the year and won spring, summer and season for the MORC Class."

Sporer is no stranger to the sport of sail racing, as he has been active in the DRYA for at least the past 20 years. "I've won before on different boats," he says. "AT one time I won with a Tartan 27 and again with a Lidenburg 26.

The Sporers were also fortunate in being able to have the boat built to their exact specifications. As a family project, they were able to tap the experience and knowledge of Bill's nephew, David, the boat's designer. "the boat was designed by my nephew, David Sporer. He graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in Naval Architecture."

The 30 ft. racer, FIDDLER, is made of wood, using the West Epoxy Saturation Technique System. "the boat is varnished and finished naturally. It looks like a piece of furniture," he says. "The design is excellent." The Sporers were able to guide the development of their new boat more closely the most sailors commissioning a new boat. "We know how to sail it in the conditions on Lake St. Clair. The competition was good throughout the season," he adds. "We raced the boats that were all about our size, 30 feet. All in all, it was a good season."

Whether it be luck or skill, FIDDLER ended the season with a first place for spring, summer, and overall season. The hard work and time paid off as the Sporer team collected 520 points for the year, the maximum amount of points in the MORC Class.

"Success in sailing is a combination of luck, skill, and organization," Sporer says. "We have good people on our boat, but sometimes we use more luck than skill. The lake conditions suit our type of boat." FROM REGATTA MAGAZINE FALL 1986.
Designer/Builder Comments on Hull Construction:

The following is taken from a letter written by the designer/builder to the current owner at the time he purchased the boat from it's second owner.:

" I understand that you are purchasing "FIDDLER" from Sandy. I am sure that you will have many enjoyable hours sailing her. As her designer, builder, and first owner, I can assure you that we took special pride and and care in building her, and had great success in racing her for many years.

Sandy recently asked me to describe the method of hull construction for you:

Hull skin - the West System (Wood Epoxy Saturation Technique) is used throughout. The interior layer is 1/2" western red cedar edge glued and laid longitudinally; the second layer is 1/8" western red cedar laid perpendicular to the stem; the third layer is 1/8" okums (South American Mahogany) laid parallel to the stem. Each layer is laminated to the previous with epoxy. The completed hull is then covered inside and out with a layer of fiberglass cloth for strength and protection. Extra layers of fiberglass are laid in the floor area for additional keel support.

Keel & rig support - a stainless steel welded floor system is bonded to the hull to distribute keel loads. The mast and rig loads are transferred to this system for an exceptionally strong integrated hull and rig. Further hull strength is provided by bonding the berth fronts, berth tops, and bulkheads to the hull.

I had the pleasure of sailing with Sandy last year, having not seen FIDDLER for about five years. I took the opportunity to inspect the boat for any signs of deterioration, and found nothing. I believe FIDDLER is as strong today as the day she was launched."

David R. Sporer
Naval Architect & Marine Engineer
November 11, 1999

Rigging:
Tapered Polished Aluminum Double Spreader Mast
Continuous Rod Rigging
Halyards: Spectra-two spinnaker, one jib, one main.
Twin track head foil
72:1 Backstay adjuster
4:1 Harken Main sheet w/6:1 fine tune
4:1 Spectra checksaty
Cunningham, two reef lines
Inboard ball bearing adjustable jib leads.outboard adjustable jib leads
Twings with snatch blocks
Winches: 2 Lewmar 2spd. primaries, 2 Lewmar 2spd. spinnaker winches, 2 Lewmar 1spd. halyard winches.
3 Winch handles
Windex spar fly and masthead light
Custom light boom with 8:1 outhaul
Strut boomvang and topping lift system
Adjustable spinnaker pole ring, foreguy and topping lift
I: 41.3
J: 12.0
P: 35.1
E: 12
G: 21.55
SL: 40.76

Sails:
2003- North 3DL Main (excellent)
2001- #3 Harstick Kevlar (excellent)
1999- Asym. Spinnaker (like new)
1997- #1 all purpose Kevlar(v. good)
1997- L#1 Kevlar/Dacron(v. crisp)
1994- UK tape drive Kevlar/Technora main
1994- #2 UK tape drive Kevlar/technora
1994- .6oz spin. Greiner poly v.fast
1984- #3 Boston Kevlar/Mylar (fair)
1984- #4 Boston Kevlar/Mylar(used1T)
1984- .75oz spin. Boston nylon(fair)
1984- 1.5oz spin. Boston nylom(good)
1984- .75oz Blooper Boston nylon
19??- .75oz Hood Dacron staysail

Electrical/Electronics:
2 Marine deep cycle batteries
Trickle Charger
Electric Bilge pump
Silva Nexus Instrument: Wind, depth, speed
Flux-gate compass network
Garmin 182 GPS w/NYC to BI chip
Nexus Steer Pilot w/Nexus remote control
10 Disk automatic CD player w/2 int. speakers & 2 cockpit speakers

ENGINE:
Gray Marine gasoline S.S.91 engine (30 hp) completely rebuilt in 1997, with keel drive system all bearings rebuilt in 1997. Folding 2 blade prop.

Bottom:
VC17 was completely stripped and 2 coats of INTER PROTECT Barrier Coat was applied. Applied Baltaplate bottom paint which was wet sanded & burnished.
For this season (2007) bottom paint was changed to VIVID by Pettit.

Please Note:
A complete history of the build, including plans, line drawings, rig specifications, schedules and photos are available for inspection and will be presented to the new owner at the time of closing along with a complete maintenance history from the current owner from the time he purchased the boat in 1999.

Disclaimer:
The Company offers the details of this vessel in good faith but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. A buyer should instruct his agents, or his surveyors, to investigate such details as the buyer desires validated. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal without notice.