Laurent Giles 'Jolly Boat' Exeter |
J24 (Sail No. 4239) Dartmouth |
29er GBR 074 Tynemouth |
List classes of boat for sale |
Cruising - Miracle or Solo or ?? |
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Late starter
Far too distracted from work Joined: 24 Feb 07 Online Status: Offline Posts: 481 |
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Topic: Cruising - Miracle or Solo or ?? Posted: 10 Jun 16 at 1:55pm |
The Miracle is tailor made for single handed cruising, but with the ability to take an extra passenger if needed. There is a bit more space than in a Solo (though as single handers go the Solo is pretty spacious), and the boom height is fairly sensible. The Miracle crowd tend to be a relaxed and pleasant bunch too. Speed wise, well I'm guessing a £1k Solo will be way off the pace of a modern example so in practice I'd expect there wouldn't be a lot of difference between a £1k Solo or Miracle. Older wood Miracles fetch no sort of money too, if you can find one in decent nick and don't mind keeping on top of the maintenance you will have one heck of a bargain. I used to sail one when my daughter was 4 or 5, and found launching and recovering the boat myself was no issue - I can't remember the exact weight but its pretty light.
Edited by Late starter - 10 Jun 16 at 1:56pm |
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Rupert
Really should get out more Joined: 11 Aug 04 Location: Whitefriars sc Online Status: Offline Posts: 8956 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 10 Jun 16 at 4:10pm |
Of course, the classic small cruising boat is the Mirror. Slower than either of the above, and shorter, but with far more useable space.
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Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686
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ColPrice2002
Far too distracted from work Joined: 25 Nov 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 222 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 10 Jun 16 at 5:04pm |
Both the mirror and the miracle have mainsail and jib. This means that it's easier to manage the balance (less stuck in irons), and you can drop the jib to reduce sail area if needed.
Both are also spinnaker dinghies for more complexity! The Solo has a "Plan B" sail - basically an old mainsail with the foot cut off and loose footed (an older Solo may well come with a couple of sails, so it only cost the sailmaker's time). That does mare the Solo tamer in stronger winds.
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Late starter
Far too distracted from work Joined: 24 Feb 07 Online Status: Offline Posts: 481 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 11 Jun 16 at 9:59am |
Thumbs up to the Mirror from me, like most of my sailing generation I learned to sail and race in Mirrors. The Miracle was launched back in the 70s as the Mirrors big brother, and was initially called the Mirror Miracle. Mirrors are very flexible, in that they are car toppable, take a small outboard fairly well, and can even be used as a row-boat ! I love them to bits, I do think there is a bit more space in a Miracle though and its that bit faster. Horses for courses etc though.
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Rupert
Really should get out more Joined: 11 Aug 04 Location: Whitefriars sc Online Status: Offline Posts: 8956 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 11 Jun 16 at 7:09pm |
It was storage I was thinking of and being able to strap stuff on the front tank, where I was considering it more spacious.
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Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686
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FCDB
Newbie Joined: 11 Jan 09 Online Status: Offline Posts: 10 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 13 Jun 16 at 10:48pm |
I've got a Miracle which I sail single handed. It's easy to do, I have a few mods to make it easier, slightly longer tiller extension to let me sit forward to the thwart. Mainsheet slightly longer to suit. Jib sheets tied together to make it easier to trim. To windward you need to sail with a leg each side of the thwart, but as I am fairly hefty I don't need to hike, that's not too uncomfortable. In light winds the Miracle is a treat as you can heel it, and unstick the transom and sail away from all the heavy roto moulded slow handicap classes. The boat is light and easy to handle on shore. On the water it is nimble and just fast enough to cheat a foul tide. (That's probably the best advantage over a Mirror.) It is a friendly boat, it doesn't frighten novice crews. I sail on the Solent and have cruised to Beaulieu, the Folly, Calshot. It is a simple easy boat to sail. Great fun, give it a go.
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Rupert
Really should get out more Joined: 11 Aug 04 Location: Whitefriars sc Online Status: Offline Posts: 8956 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 14 Jun 16 at 8:04am |
You make it sound so appealing, I must borrow one of the ones that sail at Whitefriars and give it a go. Not sailed one apart from a wreck of one on a river, which wasn't the best intro, I think!
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Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686
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Rupert
Really should get out more Joined: 11 Aug 04 Location: Whitefriars sc Online Status: Offline Posts: 8956 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 14 Jun 16 at 8:21am |
Another option, if you want more space, is the Enterprise. The main would either need to be reefed, or a smaller sail put up in stronger winds, but the boat is pretty light, especially compared to the more normally cruised GP14. Well worth borrowing one for a go.
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Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686
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