Good Cruiser

Be worth you checking out the Dinghy Cruising Association website. They have a lot of info on different dinghies for cruising.

My own recommendation would be the Wayfarer, especially if there's more than 2 of you on board. She's a great sea boat,and there are no other dinghies I'd rather be in if the weather and sea gets rough. Reefed right down she'll take care of you.

Look on ebay and you may be lucky enough to get one for around a grand.

Miracle might also be too small, especially for camping "in". My memories of it are from when I was 10 and a bit smaller than I am now. Starting to look like the Wayfarer is youir best bet as it is cavernous. Make sure you save a bit of cash to convert the mainsail (if necessary) to have reefing points as the main is large and can be a bit of a handful in a blow (although most Wayfs have reefable sails). Roller reefing for the jib might be a good idea as well.

Thanks everyone, that has certainly given me some options! My budget is currently under negotiation with my wife! I expect we will be able to stretch up to about £1000, but that will have to include trailer and launching trolley/combi and at least some of the materials needed to do it up.

I have had a good look at Drascombes, would love one but I think they are going to be out of my price range and are a bit heavy for launching etc..

I did initially rule out a Mirror because I thought them too small for two adults and a child.

Miracle seems to be a good contender, anyone know where I can get Miracle plans from? I have tried everywhere! Same with the mirror, if anyone knows where I can get plans of these, Trident supplies the kit but not just plans.

The type of sailing I will be doing will be initially jaunts along the Solent coast and over to the island. Picnics and possibly taking a tent/sleeping on board occasionally. I would like to be able to take on a few longer distance trips when my son is older, although by then he will probably be bored of cruising and want an RS800!!!

sorry I don't understand.

as far as I can see from what the original poster asked the Dranscombe's would be a good option. There is a 'Scaffie' on the association site for £2,500. If that is to rich with a bit of searching he may be able to find one that need's doing up. There is an active Cruising scene. And the boats are good stable, seaworthy platforms that carry crew, gear an outboard well.

Sailing isn't all about racing and it isn't all about going as fast as you can in extreme boats, any body that looks down on people who just Cruise should take some time out and reconsider things a while.

I love sailing in all it's forms - high performance skiff to comfy old cruising boat with a mackerel spinner out the back, they all have a time and a place.

Copper, you'll have to pitch in a bit on this. Cruising means different things to different people. Do you mean "Not racing" or "touring" or "taking the family camping a la "Swallows an Amazons"? Will you be on inland waters or coastal?

I've gone camping with a Laser and I've certainly done picnics in my Hurricane59. Neither would be classed as cruisers.

If, by cruising, you mean alround family boat for day-sailing and not racing then the boats listed above are definitely work a look. (although any boat can be raced) If you really want a project then the self-build plans for the Mirror must still be available somewhere. If you are on a sever budget then any of the ebay boats are in contention. See what's available at your nearest club and have a look.