The Design.
During 2000, members of the family of the late Ian Proctor, the renowned dinghy designer were delighted to find many drawings of a new dinghy design that Ian had been working on. these drawings depicted a family dinghy designed very much with fun and ease of usage in mind. There were six main criteria the design that Ian had called the SPECTRUM:

·         Capable of being sailed single handed

·         Capable of entertaining sailing for two or three in Bermudian format

·         Capable of being rowed for recreational exercise

·         Easily managed ashore and afloat

·         Cartopable for ease of movement ashore

·         And last but not least FUN!

Development.
The hull form is a modified scow design, giving excellent reaching performance, with a surprising amount of stability for a narrow design. A key feature of the sailing capability was a 2 position centreboard location; aft for single handed (mainsail only) and forward for two handed (with both mainsail and jib).

Since the original design was conceived, materials have evolved so that Porter Brother, in conjunction with Ian Proctor Design Ltd. have developed an aluminum mast with a fiberglass topmast for good gust response, together with Mylar sailcloth rigs for light weight and good durability.

Porters have developed a manufacturing technique for the hull moulding with grant-support from the Department of Trade and Industry, utilising a resin injection system which ensures constant hull quality and weight and provides a laminate with the highest integrity.

The SPECTRUM has been extensively developed and tested during 2001, resulting in 3 alternative deck designs being tried, together with changes in the sailing weight, foil design, and rig and chandlery detail. Sailing has been done across the wind scale from (force1 - force7!) with all of this work behind us, we are happy that the SPECTRUM is ready to go on in 2002.

Everyone who has sailed the SPECTRUM agree - the boat flies on a reach with the scow design providing a performance that just goes faster and faster! How much more do you want!

The SPECTRUM "Una"
In its single handed form, the SPECTRUM UNA is a responsive, fast dinghy; 7.71 sq. mtrs of Mylar mainsail and a hull weight of just 60Kg. Ensuring the rig tension is applied through the forestay, combined with a conventional mainsail so that rigging and de-rigging don't require a giant!

The SPECTRUM "Duet"
With mainsail and jib hoisted, the SPECTRUM becomes a great boat to tech the kids to sail; or to let them loose on their own. Or on those peaceful days, it adds a bit of spice to single handed sailing for the more experienced. the jib area of 2.51 sq. mtrs adds enough interest for any crew, and enhance the boats performance, and of course you can always add the asymmetric option to make this a high performance fun boat for even the most discerning dinghy sailor....

The SPECTRUM "Row"
By fitting a moulded GRP thwart and rowing equipment, the SPECTRUM becomes an enjoyable and exciting method of exercise or water transport!

the easy drive and stable hull-form provides a boat which offers all the fun of a kayak, without the need to like swimming! And as a last resort, if the wind dies when you are out sailing, at least you can get home again!