Laurent Giles 'Jolly Boat' Exeter |
J24 (Sail No. 4239) Dartmouth |
29er GBR 074 Tynemouth |
List classes of boat for sale |
Good Starter Boat for an Older Sailor |
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pij27
Groupie Joined: 27 Jul 10 Location: Ryde / Tilbury Online Status: Offline Posts: 44 |
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Topic: Good Starter Boat for an Older Sailor Posted: 02 Jan 18 at 4:40pm |
I am looking to return to sailing after a break of a number of years and like the idea of a dinghy or small keelboat. I would like a fairly stable boat that I can sail single handed and also with a partner. Nothing too sporty, but would like to use on the sea, as plan to sail in solent and around isle of wight, (though not a circum-navigaation).
Any thoughts of what should be looking for? Don't want something that could capsize easily, as the one thing that has always made me apprehensive for a dinghy is seeing them topple over. |
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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: 02 Jan 18 at 5:56pm |
There are "dinghies with keels" like boats, such as the Stratos keel and Venture keel. Then there are "proper" keelboats like the Squib, or dayboats, looking more old fashioned, like the Drascombe Lugger, Cornish cormorant or Explorer 18. Plenty of other examples of each, but if you figure out what appeals most, you may be able to narrow down the choices, then get test sails. Having a boat that can be reefed will be very important.
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Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686
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Time Lord
Far too distracted from work Joined: 03 Dec 13 Location: Warwickshire Online Status: Offline Posts: 301 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 02 Jan 18 at 6:22pm |
If you're sailing in and around the IOW there are a number of local one design scows which can be sailed singlehanded but will easily accommodate 2.
Milford scows and Lymington scows are two that spring to mind but think that there are similar designs on the east side of the Solent. Gaff rigged, easily handled and these days in GRP. If yiu fancy racing, the local clubs have races just for their local scow fleets. |
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Merlin Rocket 3609
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Sam.Spoons
Really should get out more Joined: 07 Mar 12 Location: Manchester UK Online Status: Offline Posts: 3398 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 02 Jan 18 at 7:30pm |
Can't add much except that a mate of mine, fairly serious sea kayaker IIRC, did a sailing course and bought a Stratos keel 'cos it wouldn't fall over. He has sailed it in some pretty hairy conditions and the keel has proved it's worth. It's big and roomy and not slow (We had it surfing at 12+ knots on a two sail reach F5+ with me helming it). The only downside of these kind of boats is handling them ashore as they weigh a lot, Stratos Keel is 290kg hull so a good bit over 300 rigged. But OTOH a Waybarge is still too much for one to manage ashore at pushing 200kg rigged.
Another mate has a Cornish Coble (I think) and is rarely troubled when the conditions get rough, worst case he douses the sail and starts the donkey motor :). Have a look at pics of those mentioned above and see which ones tickle your fancy then explore ebay and apollo duck to see if any are around at your budget. Then try to get a sail, don't be frightened to ask most of us are happy to have an excuse for another afternoons sailing. Good luck. |
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Spice 346 "Flat Broke"
Blaze 671 "supersonic soap dish" |
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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: 04 Jan 18 at 8:53am |
Are you planning on keeping you boat on moorings, or hauled out when not in use?
If you have a mooring (including marina type pontoons), then a keel boat sounds a good choice. If you're planning on land storage, you need to seriously consider how launching/recovery and land movement can be done. I sail on an inland lake with no tide and gentle slope slipways. Even so, the Drascombe luggers are moored during their sailing months, not stored ashore. Getting anything heavier than my Wanderer up the ramp needs more than 1 person (about 3/4 for a Wayfarer). Also, consider if you're going to beach land for lunch etc., If so, you'll need a retractable keel that's easy to use. I understand your concerns regarding dinghy capsizes, there are ways to reduce the problems - our sail training dinghies have masthead buoyancy - at its simplest an inflatable buoyancy bag fixed to the head of the mainsail. This prevents the dinghy inverting. Second suggestion, take an RYA level 2 course (if you haven't already), capsize recovery is one of the topics (practical!) many of my students comment that the reality is much less scary than the anticipated terrors! Colin |
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pij27
Groupie Joined: 27 Jul 10 Location: Ryde / Tilbury Online Status: Offline Posts: 44 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 04 Jan 18 at 11:46am |
Thanks Colin. I think for cost that recovery and storage is probably a better option, quick look at mooring costs seem excessive. Will sign up for a course to do soon, so can enjoy the summer. do like the idea of sailing to a beach, have lunch and then sail back. So a cruising dinghy appeals, but understand issue of weight. Looks like some thinking and compromising is in order.
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Sam.Spoons
Really should get out more Joined: 07 Mar 12 Location: Manchester UK Online Status: Offline Posts: 3398 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 04 Jan 18 at 4:57pm |
+1 to masthead floats, I use mine a lot on both the Spice and the Blaze when sailing without safety cover. Inversion on the sea can be difficult to resolve and sticking the mast in the mud at home is equally taxing so preventing inversion is well worth the extra windage. I have two floats, a fairly discrete double sausage one I use on the Blaze and 'The Pig' a pinky-orange 60 litre Crewsaver one that can keep the Spice from inverting even with two burly blokes climbing up the hull.
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Spice 346 "Flat Broke"
Blaze 671 "supersonic soap dish" |
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Jack Sparrow
Really should get out more Joined: 08 Feb 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 2965 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 04 Jan 18 at 5:36pm |
Have a look at a Weta Dinghy. Small Trimaran. Fast (but fine for a novice), light and single-handable, and will happily take passengers.
Edited by Jack Sparrow - 04 Jan 18 at 5:38pm |
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423zero
Really should get out more Joined: 08 Jan 15 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 3406 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 04 Jan 18 at 5:38pm |
GP 14, really stable, good for cruising, still need two people on land though, you can always get a local engineering company to laser cut you a steel centreboard for extra stability, get it galvanised.
Edited by 423zero - 04 Jan 18 at 5:50pm |
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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: 05 Jan 18 at 7:15am |
Couple of further thoughts:-
National sailing centre Weymouth had a couple of davit style cranes for launching - works with heavy dinghies and small keelboats. Some clubs will also have a winch at the top of the ramp. Previous owner of my Wanderer used to tow down to Falmouth and sail single handed. The Wanderer has roller jib furling and slab reefing for the main so you can reduce sail area by 30% (roll jib) in about 30 seconds. Then reduce main by about 20% with reefing (reducing the height of the sail and the leverage) If you're cruising offshore (as opposed to racing), think of the old adage "reef often, reef early". You take control, not allowing the wind make youjump about. Colin
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