which dinghy ?
Discussion
Hi - i want to get back into dinghy sailing after 15/20 years. However, i cant decide what boat to get. I learnt in a Mirror and have owned an Enterprise plus an International 14 in the past. My local resevior is Derwent in Northumberland.
My problem is that i am not sure i will get any regular crew, so need something that 1 can launch and sail solo, 70% of the time. I want to be able to fit an adult crew in too for the other 30%.
I seem to remember that a wooden Enterprise was too heavy to pull up a lauch ramp by myself. The Mirror was a bit too small, and International 14s were too big !
I am trying to limit my budget to about £800, dont mind some DIY / Wood. I am thinking that perhaps a Laser is my best bet if i can find one for that kind of ££.
Any suggestions ?
My problem is that i am not sure i will get any regular crew, so need something that 1 can launch and sail solo, 70% of the time. I want to be able to fit an adult crew in too for the other 30%.
I seem to remember that a wooden Enterprise was too heavy to pull up a lauch ramp by myself. The Mirror was a bit too small, and International 14s were too big !
I am trying to limit my budget to about £800, dont mind some DIY / Wood. I am thinking that perhaps a Laser is my best bet if i can find one for that kind of ££.
Any suggestions ?
Hmmm - Dart16 sounds fun. I did see this: Hobie 17 - but dont think i have ever seen a cat on Derwent. They do have a handicap fleet so perhaps it wouldnt be a problem.
They list their fleets on the web site, GP14, Laser Flyin15,Ent etc - all the usual stuff. The RS200s look fab but well out of my price range.
How big are Laser 2s ?
Are cats still hard to tack in btw? My only experience with them has been on the med - gybing them was the only option as they seem to refuse to go through the wind.
Actually - as an update, i was out with quite a few people over the bh weekend and turns out that a few of them can either sail or would be interested in starting . My 30% might increase to 50% !
They list their fleets on the web site, GP14, Laser Flyin15,Ent etc - all the usual stuff. The RS200s look fab but well out of my price range.
How big are Laser 2s ?
Are cats still hard to tack in btw? My only experience with them has been on the med - gybing them was the only option as they seem to refuse to go through the wind.
Actually - as an update, i was out with quite a few people over the bh weekend and turns out that a few of them can either sail or would be interested in starting . My 30% might increase to 50% !
Edited by Chimune on Tuesday 31st May 09:08
He can't manage to launch and recover an Enterprise single handed, he#s never going to manage a Bosun!
What about a Firefly? They were originally designed for the olympics as a single hander, but are nearly always sailed with a crew. Lovely 'proper' dinghy.
If you fancy a handful, try a Fireball.
Cats tend to be a bit 'point and blip' but are wonderful fun, especially if you get it up on one hull - which always looks spectacular, but is slower.
Laser 2 is an option, but would it come in to budget?
What about a Firefly? They were originally designed for the olympics as a single hander, but are nearly always sailed with a crew. Lovely 'proper' dinghy.
If you fancy a handful, try a Fireball.
Cats tend to be a bit 'point and blip' but are wonderful fun, especially if you get it up on one hull - which always looks spectacular, but is slower.
Laser 2 is an option, but would it come in to budget?
if you like RS200's, but find them expensive - and want a fun cheap dinghy, look into a National 12.
they are very similar to an RS200, if your not a featherweight, its easy to sail single-handed, its light for pulling up a slip (I sail with my young daughters who are unable to help pulling it up the slip) - it weights under 100kgs
for £800 you should be able to get a good wooden mid-eighties N12 in very good condition and with decent kit on it.
I bought mine last year as something to introduce the kids to what a modern dinghy is like, couldnt (wouldnt!!) afford an RS, so went for the nearest thing in my price range - mine cost £800 and is a twice ex-british championship winning boat, with new sails and is in stunning condition.
if your sailing inland, then there are plenty of N12 designs that are perfect - Im on the sea, so needed a design that would cope with waves (it does JUST!) and also a fair bit of weight in the boat.
dont discount them cos they arent fashionable - they are fun and cheap.
they are very similar to an RS200, if your not a featherweight, its easy to sail single-handed, its light for pulling up a slip (I sail with my young daughters who are unable to help pulling it up the slip) - it weights under 100kgs
for £800 you should be able to get a good wooden mid-eighties N12 in very good condition and with decent kit on it.
I bought mine last year as something to introduce the kids to what a modern dinghy is like, couldnt (wouldnt!!) afford an RS, so went for the nearest thing in my price range - mine cost £800 and is a twice ex-british championship winning boat, with new sails and is in stunning condition.
if your sailing inland, then there are plenty of N12 designs that are perfect - Im on the sea, so needed a design that would cope with waves (it does JUST!) and also a fair bit of weight in the boat.
dont discount them cos they arent fashionable - they are fun and cheap.
I just picked up a miracle dinghy off fleabay, a bargain at less than £300, spent 20 quid on tin of varnish etc, and she's all ship shape. I then had to invest another few quid (ok slightly more than a few quid!) on new pulleys and stuff to get all the controls working properly. I've just joined Derwent and had a great blast in the pursuit race yesterday. Legs a bit achy today!! But I am impressed with the miracle it sails really well and would be fine single handed.
There are plenty of lasers as derwent, there are also some topaz's but Im not sure you would get one for 800, there is at least one RS vareo, but again you are not likely to get one for 800
There are plenty of lasers as derwent, there are also some topaz's but Im not sure you would get one for 800, there is at least one RS vareo, but again you are not likely to get one for 800
Saw you out on the water sawman - membership sec said there was only 2 in the fleet and you were out there ! Looked like a pleasant afternoon tbh - after the rain went.
Anyway - turns out there is an open day on the 25th which may be offering memberhsip discount, plus the chance to talk to some other owners.
Fleet update from 15 years ago: enterprise fleet has disintegrated !. He showed me a Topaz which look interesting but perhaps a bit basic. Saw a very nice looking RS Vareo a guy purchased for £2k. No room for crew though....
Other good news is that you can sail just about anything there !!
Anyway - turns out there is an open day on the 25th which may be offering memberhsip discount, plus the chance to talk to some other owners.
Fleet update from 15 years ago: enterprise fleet has disintegrated !. He showed me a Topaz which look interesting but perhaps a bit basic. Saw a very nice looking RS Vareo a guy purchased for £2k. No room for crew though....
Other good news is that you can sail just about anything there !!
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