Lady Slipper Information, Review, Specs

The Lady Slipper began production in 1977 under the craftsmanship of Edey & Duff. The yard, co-founded by Mait Edey and Peter Duff in 1968, distinguished itself by specializing in fiberglass reproductions of highly regarded traditional designs, striving to retain the beauty and functionality of classic boats while leveraging the durability and low maintenance of fiberglass. While the initial internal note suggested the design was for builder Peter Duff, external sources consistently attribute the design to Phil Bolger, a prolific and often unconventional naval architect. Only approximately 25 units of the Lady Slipper were built, indicating its status as a limited-production vessel. The model also notably appeared in the July 1980 issue of Small Boat Journal, highlighting its unique presence in the small boat market of the era. Edey & Duff's meticulous attention to detail and robust construction ethos, which saw them utilize techniques like Airex foam cores in larger models, would have extended to smaller craft like the Lady Slipper, ensuring a sturdy build despite its size.

Sailing Performance and Handling

As a boat with a modest length overall of 7.5 feet, the Lady Slipper is characterized by design elements suited for its compact size. She features a monohull form with a long keel and is rigged as a fractional sloop. The choice of a long keel typically translates to excellent directional stability and a comfortable motion, often making for a forgiving ride in choppy conditions. However, this design characteristic, coupled with a maximum draft of 2.0 feet, contributed to the challenge of launching, especially compared to other small boats of similar size that might feature flatter bottoms or retractable keels. While specific anecdotal descriptions of the Lady Slipper's handling are scarce, the long keel and fractional sloop rig would suggest a boat that tracks well and is relatively easy to manage for a single sailor or a small crew in light to moderate conditions.

Accommodations and Layout

Given the Lady Slipper's exceptionally small length of 7.5 feet, the concept of "accommodations" is highly rudimentary. The design does not allow for any significant standing headroom or a traditional interior layout found in larger cruising boats. Instead, any interior space would likely be limited to a basic cuddy cabin, primarily serving as storage for gear or providing very minimal shelter from the elements. There would be no provision for a V-berth, enclosed head, galley, or a dedicated salon, as these amenities are simply incompatible with the boat's compact dimensions. The emphasis is entirely on the sailing experience, with the interior offering only the bare essentials for a day on the water.