Dinghy Suggestions

   I appreciate there are a lot of these already, but having not sailed a dingy for about 30 years (I'm 46 now), I need some help narrowing down the field please. 
We moved to Beaulieu in Hampshire last year, and have access to the Beaulieu River where I'd like to start sailing again with my wife (who's now pregnant) and the kid(s) in a few years. 

It needs to fit the following requirements that I can think of:  
for cruising rather than racing
needs to be comfortable as I have a knackered back from playing squash
needs to be stable and easy to sail as my Mrs isn't a sailor, but loves being on the water
14-15' max, as it'll be moored up on a short shared jetty with other small boats
will be used for river and also the solent on calmer days
might need to be able to take an engine to get up/down river 
stable
solo-able if needed, but ideally can fit 2 adults and or 2 small kids
lightweight-ish, as I'll need to be able to haul it out to clean it every year (I do have access to a slip)
As for me, I used to windsurfer a lot in my teens, and have some basic sailing skills, i.e comp crew + day skipper theory)
I'd love a Beaulieu Scow just for the history and community perspective, but they're hard to find. However, would something like the GP14 be a good start point or a deep cockpit Phantom?

Any and all idea's welcome as I'd like to start looking and the Beaulieu Boat Jumble might turn something up too next month. 

Many thanks

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damorrison Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 10 Mar 16 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1	Post Options Post Reply Quote damorrison Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Dinghy Suggestions Posted: 10 Mar 16 at 2:25pm
	I appreciate there are a lot of these already, but having not sailed a dingy for about 30 years (I'm 46 now), I need some help narrowing down the field please. We moved to Beaulieu in Hampshire last year, and have access to the Beaulieu River where I'd like to start sailing again with my wife (who's now pregnant) and the kid(s) in a few years. It needs to fit the following requirements that I can think of: for cruising rather than racing needs to be comfortable as I have a knackered back from playing squash needs to be stable and easy to sail as my Mrs isn't a sailor, but loves being on the water 14-15' max, as it'll be moored up on a short shared jetty with other small boats will be used for river and also the solent on calmer days might need to be able to take an engine to get up/down river stable solo-able if needed, but ideally can fit 2 adults and or 2 small kids lightweight-ish, as I'll need to be able to haul it out to clean it every year (I do have access to a slip) As for me, I used to windsurfer a lot in my teens, and have some basic sailing skills, i.e comp crew + day skipper theory) I'd love a Beaulieu Scow just for the history and community perspective, but they're hard to find. However, would something like the GP14 be a good start point or a deep cockpit Phantom? Any and all idea's welcome as I'd like to start looking and the Beaulieu Boat Jumble might turn something up too next month. Many thanks

Presuming Ed Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 26 Feb 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 641	Post Options Post Reply Quote Presuming Ed Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 10 Mar 16 at 2:33pm
	Wanderer

Pierre Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 15 Mar 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1532	Post Options Post Reply Quote Pierre Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 10 Mar 16 at 2:45pm
	Yup.. based on your requirements I'd say Wanderer as well.

JimC Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 17 May 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 6662	Post Options Post Reply Quote JimC Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 10 Mar 16 at 2:57pm
	Dunno, I might look away from the racing dinghy derived boats towards a pure cruiser like maybe the Drascombe Dabber. Might be happier left on the water. But yes, of the racing dinghy derived boats the Wanderer or maybe Laser 2000 seem logical choices.

gordon1277 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 24 Mar 10 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 665	Post Options Post Reply Quote gordon1277 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 10 Mar 16 at 3:09pm
	I would not think a Phantom would be happy with the rig left up on a mooring. Gp14 and Enterprise worth checking.
	Gordon Lossc

calum Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 08 Mar 16 Location: waterloo Online Status: Offline Posts: 3	Post Options Post Reply Quote calum Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 10 Mar 16 at 5:00pm
	Or one of the rotomolded boats, plenty around aimed at family sailing, stable and durable. Al the big manufactures have a range of sizes check out RS, Laser and Topper.
	Brimstone Phantom 1202

Rupert Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 11 Aug 04 Location: Whitefriars sc Online Status: Offline Posts: 8956	Post Options Post Reply Quote Rupert Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 10 Mar 16 at 5:42pm
	There are a lot of pure cruising Dinghies out there, and I'm certainly not qualified to know good from bad. The Dinghy Cruising Association would have opinions. From the type of boats I am used to, I agree that the Wanderer would be good, as would a GP14, though modern ones appear to be very race oriented and not as strong as older ones, from what I've seen.
	Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686

JimC Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 17 May 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 6662	Post Options Post Reply Quote JimC Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 10 Mar 16 at 6:19pm
	Another thought is that I shouldn't be altogether surprised if there were potential problems with leaving a boat on a mooring that was intended to be dry sailed. I have a feeling that the choice of resins (assuming GRP) might be different.

Daniel Holman Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 17 Nov 08 Online Status: Offline Posts: 997	Post Options Post Reply Quote Daniel Holman Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 10 Mar 16 at 6:48pm
	Beaulieu - very nice! Hartley 15. Brief was a modern rotomould equivalent to wayfarer. Consequently about 60% of the price and maintenance free. I have to declare an interest having drawn it.

Daniel Holman Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 17 Nov 08 Online Status: Offline Posts: 997	Post Options Post Reply Quote Daniel Holman Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 10 Mar 16 at 6:50pm
	Video here: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3WMlL3aRu4Y Contact Hartley laminates for a demo. Dan