When people think of the Thunderbird, most think of racing. I can't begin to count the number of times someone has approached me on the dock and asked me if my boat was a Thunderbird. Once this is confirmed, the inevitable second comment will be regarding how fast the design is.
Now I'm not knocking this - the truth is that most people seem to want to race them and yes, they are fast. But my wife and I recently had the glorious experience of a cruise in the Canadian Gulf Islands aboard Euterpe, and it was the best holiday I've taken in recent memory. So for all of you racers out there, don't forget the other side - that although more cramped than a comparable plastic boat, the 'Bird is more than capable of being a safe and exciting cruiser. The following pages highlight some of the memorable images from this cruise, and attempt to shine a light on the other side of the design's personality. |
