Bird OF Dawning Information, Review, Specs

The Bird of Dawning commenced production in 1980, emerging from the celebrated Edey & Duff yard, known for their expertise in translating classic wooden boat lines into durable fiberglass construction. The design is attributed to Phil Bolger, a designer renowned for his "outside the box" thinking and emphasis on simple, functional, and often shoal-draft boats. Peter Duff, co-founder of Edey & Duff, was also involved in the design, fitting seamlessly with the builder's ethos of crafting robust, low-maintenance vessels that preserved the beauty of traditional designs. The Bird of Dawning's hull construction utilizes an Airex foam core, a testament to Edey & Duff's commitment to enhanced durability and insulation.

A defining feature of the Bird of Dawning is her leeboard hull type. Phil Bolger frequently advocated for leeboards, which are foils mounted externally on the sides of a flat-bottomed or nearly flat-bottomed hull, providing lateral resistance without the need for a deep, fixed keel. This design choice allows for an exceptionally shallow minimum draft of just 2.0 feet, expanding cruising grounds significantly and enabling access to secluded anchorages often inaccessible to deeper keelboats. When the leeboards are lowered, her maximum draft extends to 6.5 feet, allowing for improved upwind performance. While primarily a yawl-rigged vessel, some examples of the Bird of Dawning have been converted to a sloop rig, reportedly under the direction of the designer, indicating potential variations within the production run.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Bird of Dawning's design ratios suggest a lively and capable performer for her type. With a sail area to displacement (SA/D) ratio of approximately 23.24, she possesses ample sail-carrying ability, hinting at good performance in lighter winds. This ratio is considered high for a cruising boat, suggesting a responsive and energetic sailing experience. Her displacement to length (D/L) ratio, calculated at around 155, indicates a relatively lighter vessel for her length, further supporting her performance-oriented nature.

Given her leeboard configuration, the traditional ballast to displacement ratio is not directly applicable, as her stability derives more from her wide beam and hull form rather than a deep, heavy keel. This allows for her remarkable shoal draft capabilities. The yawl rig, characterized by its smaller, more manageable sail plan, is generally regarded as easier to handle, particularly when reefing or balancing the sail plan in varying conditions. Anecdotal accounts often highlight leeboard designs like the Bird of Dawning as offering excellent balance and a comfortable motion, particularly in choppy conditions, benefiting from their unique lateral resistance system.

Accommodations and Layout

While specific detailed interior layouts for the Edey & Duff Bird of Dawning are not extensively documented in widely available resources, her generous length overall of 39.33 feet and substantial beam of 9.83 feet suggest a spacious interior for a boat of her era. Sailboats of this size typically feature a functional layout designed for coastal cruising or extended voyages. Common arrangements would include a forward V-berth, a main salon with settees that often convert to berths, a galley, and a dedicated head compartment. Storage is usually integrated throughout the cabin, with lockers, drawers, and shelving. Given Edey & Duff's reputation for quality craftsmanship, the interior would likely feature robust construction and practical use of materials, potentially including traditional wood trim common in boats of the late 20th century, balanced with fiberglass molded components for durability.