Bongo

The bongo is another interesting boat. It’s nothing we would consider for actually racing for me and Dad as we’d be way too heavy, but it’s a fun concept. It’s a 15′ sportboat designed by Paul Cronin. He’s from RI and kept a Bongo at Sail Newport while I had my Vector there. The concept here is a inexpensive 15′ sportboat for one. The idea is really fantastic, but the execution leaves a bit lacking for me.

First the jib was clearly and afterthought. I saw the boat in development w/o a jib, and I think the original boats were sold initially with only mains and spinnakers. When the jib was added, it was done so in a way that makes it look like and afterthought unfortunately. My issue is the sailplan upwind looks a bit odd. The main dominates it and the jib just looks too small.

My other issue is that is just seems like it’s a bit underpowered. I can sail a vector by myself in up to ~18 knots, and at that point tacking is what keeps me off the water (I get stuck in irons). This boat, in theory is a vector where the dagger board & traps are replaced by a keel. But the sailplan is much smaller. In my mind, this boat with a vectors rig (but keep the roller furler) and a keel that was a foot deeper and 100lbs heavier would be ideal. It would have more horsepower upwind, and fly downwind as you’d be replacing the second crew on the viper with the weight in the keel.

In the back of my head, I’d love to get a used one and do just that. Drop a vector rig into it, and make the keel at least 1′ deeper and possibly add weight. It wouldn’t be easy because you’d need to move the mast back (and with it the supports for it and the shrouds) enough to fit the jib forward. You could easily get it to fit though with the boom hanging a bit off the back. Then this thing would really scream and live up to what I’d like out of a 1 person sportboat.

I did get a chance to sail one at Sail Newport quickly around the dinghy docks. It’s a fun little boat as is. In ~20 I could see it being a lot of fun. A few of the “systems” need some tweaking (especially the jib trim and spinnaker launching). But I can see some definite potential in a 1 person sportboat with a keel.

• LOA 15 feet
• Beam 6.5 feet
• Draft 4 feet
• Displacement 415 Lbs
• Ballast 100 Lbs
• SA (upwind) 131 sq. ft.
• SA (downwind) 259 sq. ft.
• Sailabongo.com