Choosing a family dinghy

   I appreciate that this might have been asked before, but I would welcome suggestions.
We are looking to get a dinghy to suit our family of 2 adults and 3 children (aged 8-13).
We're looking for a dinghy that 
- is low maintenance
- will be able to raced at our local sailing club
- be reasonably cheap (£2000 is our budget).
- will provide thrills and spills for the children but not completely terrify my wife!

I'd welcome as much advice as possible to give us some ideas.

Many thanks.

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vics2003 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 04 Sep 17 Online Status: Offline Posts: 4	Post Options Post Reply Quote vics2003 Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Choosing a family dinghy Posted: 05 Sep 17 at 9:09pm
	I appreciate that this might have been asked before, but I would welcome suggestions. We are looking to get a dinghy to suit our family of 2 adults and 3 children (aged 8-13). We're looking for a dinghy that - is low maintenance - will be able to raced at our local sailing club - be reasonably cheap (£2000 is our budget). - will provide thrills and spills for the children but not completely terrify my wife! I'd welcome as much advice as possible to give us some ideas. Many thanks.

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: 05 Sep 17 at 9:17pm
	Look at the Laser Stratos. We have one at our club that does exactly what you describe.
	Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686

andymck Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 15 Dec 06 Location: Stamford Online Status: Offline Posts: 397	Post Options Post Reply Quote andymck Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 25 Sep 17 at 7:05am
	Depends if you want them all in the boat. I would suggest a 2k
	Andy Mck

vics2003 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 04 Sep 17 Online Status: Offline Posts: 4	Post Options Post Reply Quote vics2003 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 02 Oct 17 at 9:33pm
	Thanks for your help. That's really helpful. I was thinking about a Laser Vago, but I've no experience of sailing one.

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: 02 Oct 17 at 9:48pm
	Think about the Vago as little as possible, sail it less.
	Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686

Time Lord Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 03 Dec 13 Location: Warwickshire Online Status: Offline Posts: 301	Post Options Post Reply Quote Time Lord Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 02 Oct 17 at 10:13pm
	Vagos are usually much over the weight quoted by their makers as a result of their poor build quality control and also suffer from problems with damaged to cockpit floor and foredeck due to poor build. Very sluggish to sail. Go for Mirror or Miracle as recommended above.
	Merlin Rocket 3609

vics2003 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 04 Sep 17 Online Status: Offline Posts: 4	Post Options Post Reply Quote vics2003 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 02 Oct 17 at 10:35pm
	What a minefield this is! Thanks for all your help. I learnt to sail in a mirror but am put off by the prospect of maintenance of wooden hullef boat. Any opinion on RS Feva (which is also on my shortlist). Thanks again for everyone's help. I appreciate it!

Time Lord Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 03 Dec 13 Location: Warwickshire Online Status: Offline Posts: 301	Post Options Post Reply Quote Time Lord Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 02 Oct 17 at 10:48pm
	You can get fibreglass Mirrors and Miracles i believe. I would also say that a recent wooden boat which has been expoxied from new requires very little maintenance especially if you are able to store inside between sails. I had a Merlin which was epoxied from new and the maintenance involved was minimal.
	Merlin Rocket 3609

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: 03 Oct 17 at 8:23am
	The Feva is a nice boat, but tiny at the front end, kneeling room only. Designed as a boat for younger teens, really, a job it does excellently. Having said that, a chap I know used it single-handed, with kite, for Wednesday night racing when his Contender was broken, and he went very well.
	Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686

snowleopard Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Groupie Joined: 02 Oct 17 Location: Cornwall Online Status: Offline Posts: 66	Post Options Post Reply Quote snowleopard Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 03 Oct 17 at 6:22pm
	If you want to take 2 adults and 3 kids out at the same time a Mirror is way too small. If it's one adult/one kid at a time then fine. For the whole family together my first thought would be a wayfarer.
	One hull good, two hulls better.