What boat?

Graduate would be an excellent choice, especially with the new larger mainsail. Great for handicap racing too, and you'll get a good one for a few hundred tops. I enjoy going round the course faster than the Wayfarers, Supernovas and the likes in mine, which cost £500

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.

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.

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...

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!