Raider Sailboat - boats.com

Photos courtesy Raider Sailboats

A small sailboat company in Florida has hit upon a nice combination of design attributes and is building a dinghy with both skiff and daysailor characteristics.

The Raider sailboat looks a bit like a cross between the Vanguard Vector and LDC's RS300 singlehander. As with the Vector and RS300,the float tanks are swept out to create a very wide beam that gives great hiking support and leverage. When viewed from the bow, the boat looks like an inverted Stealth bomber. It looks fast sitting still.

The Raider is targeted at a more recreational market than either the Vector or the RS300. Its greater length and beam make occupancy by more than one person far more comfortable, and not too many skiffs have built-in drink coolers (although with the liquid consumptions of all the skiff crews I've ever met, that's a good idea but another story...)

Designed by John Drawe, the Raider was conceived as a high performance skiff with easy handling -- no small order. The builder comments:

Photos courtesy Raider Sailboats

"We wanted to keep it simple and affordable in construction and easy to sail for all sailors to enjoy the sport regardless of skill level. The Raider is easily controlled and has strong windward performance in a breeze. Off the wind, the performance is exceptional. The cockpit was designed to be spacious and comfortable, so taking your favorite crew along is no problem. We added a built in cooler and storage to enhance daysailing activities.

In the development stages we soon discovered that even a group of pre-teens with proper training and supervision can easily enjoy an afternoon sail in the Raider (they won't want to bring it back!). With the wide beam and the ample flotation at the beam ends, the hull has proven to be extremely stable and will self-right from a full knockdown. We have only been able to demonstrate that feature thus far by purposely tipping the boat on it's side using the mast as leverage.

Photos courtesy Raider Sailboats

Our testing and beach launching in the surf at Daytona Beach proved to be very successful and the oversized cockpit drain tubes very effective. We elected to retain a full transom as an integral part of the hull and deck design to offer greater structural integrity and security for the crew. The free standing rig was designed to be user friendly and has a powerful sailplan. Rigging on the beach, on the water, or on a trailer is easy even for a small person.

High quality stainless hardware and premium line are specified. The laminate schedule calls for bi-axial E glass and high quality marine grade resin and gel coats throughout. The generously curved lines of the hull and deck sections eliminate high stressed areas to keep the attractive appearance of the Raider looking new and preserves the value of your purchase for years to come."

The Raider is available in two versions, the standard Raider and the Raider Sport (larger rig and a carbon spar, with all lines led aft). An asymmetrical spinnaker option is available for both models. Sail and rig development was done by Waters Sail Loft in Columbia S.C.

Originally based in Macon,Georgia, Raider Sailboats is now based in Sebastian, Florida to facilitate further development in coastal waters. Hull #20 was built this spring, dealers are setup in the Southeast, California and Michigan. With pricing below $6000, this could become a very popular dinghy.

: Photos courtesy Raider Sailboats

Specification comparison

	Raider	Vector	RS300
LOA	16'2"	15'3"	14'0"
Beam	7'4"	6'0"	6'7"
Weight	200 lbs.	220 lbs.	128 lbs.
Sail Area	123 ft2	160 ft2	107 ft2
List price	$5595 (Sport model)	$8000	Approx. $6500