Topper Magno

Do you want a Feva with an asymmetric spinnaker on a river? I doubt it - you'll be wanting to run close to the bank to cheat the current, even just to get home when cruising.

Also, the Mirror is a slow boat if you hope to progress against any sort of current, whereas the Miracle is a good deal quicker, and our local ones annihilate the Fevas in river racing.

I forgot to mention earlier, that Miracles now offer the option of centre sheeting if you prefer it...

Thanks for all the comments.

I learned to sail in a mirror. Trouble is I can't get under the boom now. I sail on a river, with lots of tacking, so I'm looking for something bigger. I have considered the National 12, as this has the racing credentials, but I'm not sure about the durability aspect. I was really wanting something bomb proof, that was extreemly low maintanance. Any other boats I should consider?

Agree that there are plenty of classes that children go out in,  BUT the Mirror wins because it will cope with all conditions and waters,  personally I would not like to be out at sea in a N12 in 30+ knots with a young child.  A 12 would require a higher level of basic skill to start with

At our Boxing Day race we had a seven year helming with dad crewing,  juniors teams and even parents sailing together,  it is this versatility that makes the Mirror the ideal choice for introducing youngsters to sailing.  You can also do all the Swallow and Amazons stuff,  picnic in the locker,  oars for rowing and even an outboard if you want to go further afield. 

Can only be a Mirror,  ideal and probably the only choice for taking small children afloat :

1.       Deep cockpit means you sit inside the boat,  this inspires confidence for even the most nervous of youngsters

2.       The Mirror's lightweight (45KG) means the boat is easily to handle ashore by one.

3.       The lightweight allows the boat is easily driven by a small sail area,  this means she can be easily handled by one person,  you do not need the crew to help but if they do want to get involved there are plenty of ropes to pull

4.       Mirrors sail surprisingly well,  many top sailors including Olympic medallists use them to introduce their children to sailing.

I started taking my children out in Mirrors when they were five, soon they were crewing for me in races and are well and truly now have the sailing bug.  We have been out in winds over 30 knots.  The boys have now kicked me out of the boat and getting ready to compete in the Worlds together.

All the other suggested classes are simply too big and powerful,  and it is important the children can sit inside the boat,  nothing worst than frightening them at this stage.

Starter Mirrors can be purchased for a few hundred,  competitive GRP boats have been available for some time,  there are plenty of class association organised racing and training to suit all abilities.  Not surprisingly the Mirror is the World's most popular double handed dinghy with over 70,000 boats.

www.ukmirrorsailing.com