What boat?

   What boat? There has been a couple of days without a "What boat" thread so I thought I will start one myself hoping to draw upon the experiences of people who started sailing at a young age.

My eldest will be of age next year when she might want to go out in a boat and have a picnic. So saving up £50-£100 a month by the time next summer comes around between her and myself we might have enough to get her first boat (well she might have 5p, a lolipop stick but I will make up the rest).

From my point of view I thought I would want something that could be a "beech boat" - low maintenance and robust and room enough for the two of us and ideal for sailing inland and in estuaries. Basically I wanted to avoid wood especially as I don't have a garage to store the thing over the winter and I don't like DIY. Also I want a boat that she could grow into and perhaps race, and may be later on her younger brother might want to play as well. And a boat where you sit "in" it rather than "on". The budget will be up to £1000.

From my daughters point of view she would prefer pink, bright sails (but sails that were originally red and have now faded to pink are perfectly acceptable) and there must be room for important "Dolly". The boat must be called "Mr Beastie" and sheet loads to be light as she is very "girlie".

The only boats that I have come up with that deliver, albeit they are made of wood,  was first the Miracle since with is relatively light and you can fit the whole family in it but a bit thin on the racing front. And secondly the Mirror since you can get two kids in it for a potter and there is a great opportunity for the kids to take it further on the racing circuit. As for anything made from plastic I can see anything that you can sit "in" and that is not out of budget. Also you seem to get better quality boats made of wood for a lot less. Although you can get GRP Mirrors they are few a far between and command a premium.

I discounted classics like Wayfarer and Wanderer since it will be muggins here getting it in and out of the water and too much sheet loads. I did think something like a singlehander  but thought my little "Pirncess" would soon get bored with just sitting with no string to pull.

Any thoughts or suggestions would be most welcome. 

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dics Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 05 Oct 05 Online Status: Offline Posts: 317	Post Options Post Reply Quote dics Report Post Quote Reply Topic: What boat? Posted: 02 Dec 08 at 4:52pm
	What boat? There has been a couple of days without a "What boat" thread so I thought I will start one myself hoping to draw upon the experiences of people who started sailing at a young age. My eldest will be of age next year when she might want to go out in a boat and have a picnic. So saving up £50-£100 a month by the time next summer comes around between her and myself we might have enough to get her first boat (well she might have 5p, a lolipop stick but I will make up the rest). From my point of view I thought I would want something that could be a "beech boat" - low maintenance and robust and room enough for the two of us and ideal for sailing inland and in estuaries. Basically I wanted to avoid wood especially as I don't have a garage to store the thing over the winter and I don't like DIY. Also I want a boat that she could grow into and perhaps race, and may be later on her younger brother might want to play as well. And a boat where you sit "in" it rather than "on". The budget will be up to £1000. From my daughters point of view she would prefer pink, bright sails (but sails that were originally red and have now faded to pink are perfectly acceptable) and there must be room for important "Dolly". The boat must be called "Mr Beastie" and sheet loads to be light as she is very "girlie". The only boats that I have come up with that deliver, albeit they are made of wood, was first the Miracle since with is relatively light and you can fit the whole family in it but a bit thin on the racing front. And secondly the Mirror since you can get two kids in it for a potter and there is a great opportunity for the kids to take it further on the racing circuit. As for anything made from plastic I can see anything that you can sit "in" and that is not out of budget. Also you seem to get better quality boats made of wood for a lot less. Although you can get GRP Mirrors they are few a far between and command a premium. I discounted classics like Wayfarer and Wanderer since it will be muggins here getting it in and out of the water and too much sheet loads. I did think something like a singlehander but thought my little "Pirncess" would soon get bored with just sitting with no string to pull. Any thoughts or suggestions would be most welcome.

DiscoBall Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 03 Jan 05 Online Status: Offline Posts: 305	Post Options Post Reply Quote DiscoBall Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 02 Dec 08 at 4:58pm
	Not sure of secondhand prices: Gull Heron Both mirror size without the serious racing that puts the mirror prices up I'd guess...

radixon Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 27 Oct 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 2407	Post Options Post Reply Quote radixon Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 02 Dec 08 at 5:59pm
	The only plastic boat ie low maintanance etc would be the Pico but you want to sit in, so then the Miracle sprung to mind. Maybe a Comet duo if you can find one in budget, a Lark or as above, including Pacer. All are options for you to consider.

HannahJ Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 23 Jul 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 861	Post Options Post Reply Quote HannahJ Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 02 Dec 08 at 10:50pm
	Basic Mirrors are very cheap, and with the new MK4 i think the prices are coming down. Go for one, they're great and small enough for young ones to handle on their own. Plus loads of room for a picnic!
	MIRROR 64799 "Dolphin" The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist hopes it will change; the realist adjusts the sail

Fans1024 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Posting king Joined: 30 Nov 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 177	Post Options Post Reply Quote Fans1024 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 03 Dec 08 at 12:04am
	If you can get a GRP Mirror in your budget, get it! I learnt to sail in one, even my parents [one at a time] came out in it. My first boat 'Bright Water' aww, the memories. Anyway, moving swiftly on. If you can't get GRP Mirror in budget, ooo Pico, light loads and the pink sails the princess desires. Maybe the topaz uno, not as nice as the pico but still an option. Maybe a Feva S? However, could be out of the budget. Good luck!

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 Dec 08 at 1:35pm
	There are also the "lost Classes" that would fit the bill on everything apart from the racing. The Otter, Pacer, Skipper, Turtle (nice orange sails on that last one) spring to mind, but a trawl trough ebay and a couple of hundred quid will get you a boat that will do all the picnics you want. Some of the above were certainly hit with the ugly stick, though...
	Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686

dics Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 05 Oct 05 Online Status: Offline Posts: 317	Post Options Post Reply Quote dics Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 03 Dec 08 at 3:18pm
	Thanks guys. Some research on those other classes will be done. I should think she would prefer a class named after some nice fury animal too so an Otter could be good. (It is also a good pint of beer).

craiggo Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 01 Apr 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1810	Post Options Post Reply Quote craiggo Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 03 Dec 08 at 4:24pm
	dics Sounds like your in the market for a Graduate. Ok no new boats have been built for a few years, although The boatyard at Beer will shortly I hope be starting production. GRP boats are available and the prices are very good. The class is finally bringing itself upto date and many ex-grad sailors are keen to track down their old boats so interesting times. The sheet loads are light and the boats are simple with no spinnaker so great for young crews. Rooster are now making the newly approved sail designs and not only do they look good but they are great value. The grads hull shape makes for a far better all-rounder as opposed to wobbly otters and gulls, and as and when you take part in a race they can give GP14s and Enterprises a good run for their money. Just google Graduate class association and have a look at the website.

timeintheboat Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 01 Feb 07 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 615	Post Options Post Reply Quote timeintheboat Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 03 Dec 08 at 10:27pm
	Mirror - top top boat, Grad - top boat (and el bandito in the right hands). But what about the Cadet? Plastic or wood. A proper boat on a small scale. I'm Phantom sized and it's a bit of a squeeze but they spot that you are in their world not they in yours. In truth it is really a kid with kid boat and the Mirror is more able at adult and kid - but I love 'em. And when dogs are being blown off leads it's a laugh as a single hander. That or the Mirror (or if a bit larger the Miracle) a tough call. Gull drab. And of course - and it keeps coming up here in various forms on these forums because of fond memories (me included) - is the N12. A proper boat you can sail with your child. Always a great looking boat that you never forget.
	Like some other things - sailing is more enjoyable when you do it with someone else

Enterprising Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Groupie Joined: 21 Dec 07 Online Status: Offline Posts: 42	Post Options Post Reply Quote Enterprising Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 03 Dec 08 at 11:32pm
	I think the mirror is the ideal boat for you, single handed, or 2 up, they have the interest, the racing pedigree and also the interest with the spinney for the younsters. for a first boat, set aside £500.00 and expect in 2 years to get nothing back, then buy a reasonable wood boat, dont worry about storing inside, and just sail, use and abuse. if you want to revarnish you will get your moeny back, if you dont, well its cost you less than £5 a week. there are so many mirrors on ebay for pennies that it would be easy to pick up something to learn in, and that you really do not mind if it gets dinted, scraped or scratched. if you dont buy them, they will probably end up as a garden feature anyway. then in 2 years, when the origional "mr beastie" does turn into a rotting beastie, upgrade, spend a lot more on a plastic fantastic mirror, when you know she wants to make a sport out of it, and just dont tell her that guy fawkes was actually roastd by her childhood steed.
	Enterprise 22619 - to be renamed "Krossbow" Nationa 12 2947 - "Gordon"