Am I dense, or what ?

Looking to buy my first dinghy. (given up car racing fuel too expensive). am booked into do my RYA courses.

I am a heavyweight (18 stone). in short term once mastered basics, i want to race.

i have 3 sons aged 8, 11 and 14 who i hope would crew /use boat.

Iam thinking about a mirror as a starter craft. seem quite robust. reasonably cheap. kids could use without me.

my question is on the mirror website, http://www.ukmirrorsailing.com/mca/statistics.htm it says hull below sheerline = 1.15 cubic meters and, complete weight 135lbs.

weight of water displaced 1.15m= 2535lbs http://www.onlineconversion.com/waterweight.htm

net = 2400 lbs ignoring buoyancy (which may not make a difference.

my weight = 18x14 = 252lbs

therefore i could have 7 fat friends in boat with me before it sank. doesn't seem right.

joking aside. my point is that with my weight and a crew, the boat is unlikely to have too much weight in it.

can anybody recomend a more suitable boat if there is one out there

Hugh is right - a mirror would be hideously uncomfortable.   Don't just think about displacement, think about space - room under the boom, around the cockpit etc.  Enjoy your course first then look around and take advice from your instructors/the locals.  Where are you sailing?

Displacement needed to stop the boat immediately disappearing under the waves is not the issue. The figure you need for a sailing boat is the one that will not sink the ends of the boat sufficiently that it becomes frustratingly slow and sails badly - plus the room in the boat issue of course.

A Mirror is going to be very small for you. There are a bunch of choices - for instance of the more traditional classes the good old Wayfarer can carry a good weight and a bunch of people in a satisfactory manner, but as people have said check out what's happening locally.

Have fun on your course, as the above as said ask your instructors.

Also, would your sons regularly race with you?  Or is going to more of a singlehanded job?  Budget?

Anyways, welcome to the sport and wish you all the best


Edited by Fans1024

/\ All has been said.

There are many boats out there suitable for you, these include the Laser 2000, Laser Vago, RS 200, RS Vision. Then there are the less expensive options of a GP14, Enterprise or maybe a Lark

Most important thing is to learn loads from your course, enjoy it and then look to trying before buying. There is the Southampton Boat show in September, probably the best time to view all boats, buy gear and experience what is on offer.