Choosing a family dinghy

   One of our members sails an Enterprise on his own all the time, can't remember last time he capsized, he weighs about 14 stone, I had one until recently, never sailed it on my own though.

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423zero Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 08 Jan 15 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 3420	Post Options Post Reply Quote 423zero Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Choosing a family dinghy Posted: 04 Oct 17 at 9:04pm
	One of our members sails an Enterprise on his own all the time, can't remember last time he capsized, he weighs about 14 stone, I had one until recently, never sailed it on my own though.

Eisvogel Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Posting king Joined: 09 Dec 16 Location: Birmingham Online Status: Offline Posts: 135	Post Options Post Reply Quote Eisvogel Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 04 Oct 17 at 5:40pm
	I'd recommend an Enterprise. Good for racing, cruising, and easy to launch and recover. And you can get plastic versions. And, if pressed you can sail it single-handedly. Never tried that myself, but someone at our club did this a while ago with good results. Edited by Eisvogel - 04 Oct 17 at 5:42pm
	Enterprise 20361 (Eisvogel), Laser 102727 (Halcyon), Laser 121986

fleaberto Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 12 Jan 09 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 302	Post Options Post Reply Quote fleaberto Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 04 Oct 17 at 4:43pm
	Does your club allow multihulls? Dart 15 could suit. I used to have one and it provided pretty much all you're looking for. Stable platform to not scare the nervous. Sailable 2-up, great for kids to do jib stuff and even get onto the trapeze for extra fun. Cruise around or go racing solo.
	Lightning368 'All the Gear' (409), Lightning368 'Sprite' (101), Laser (big number) 'Yellow Jack', RS Vareo (432)'The Golden Rays'

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: 03 Oct 17 at 9:33pm
	Won't be going out all together. Thinking of something big enough to take a child or two and be able to be sailed singlehanded (and be reasonably light to get in and out of the water)

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.

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

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

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 10:13pm
	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

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