Beginner questions: convert from a small yacht to a dinghy

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convert from a small yacht to a dinghy

Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: General
Forum Name: Beginner questions
Forum Discription: Advice for those who are new to sailing
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=13738
Printed Date: 06 Aug 25 at 11:35pm
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Topic: convert from a small yacht to a dinghy

Posted By: pij27
Subject: convert from a small yacht to a dinghy
Date Posted: 25 Jan 21 at 3:41pm

I have sailed a small yacht and crewed other yachts for a few years and always looked at a dinghy with some trepidation due to them appearing to capsize with ease, However, recently have been reading a lot on dinghy cruising and general sailing and think it is time to start. Any advice as to whether should start with something like a laser or a wayfarer? Do a course? Or join a club and sail there?

Should I hold off on buying a dinghy or jump in and learn on my purchase?

All thoughts and advice greatly received

Replies:

Posted By: rich96
Date Posted: 25 Jan 21 at 4:05pm

Hi

Definitely do a dinghy sailing course and then decide what you want

Lots of great 'cruising' dinghies that are less likely to tip you in

Really depends where you sail and what you want to achieve

Posted By: tink
Date Posted: 25 Jan 21 at 8:07pm

Welcome to the light, dinghy sailing is proper sailing. It is best to join a club if you would like to get into racing, not as scary as it sounds. If you’re more interested in pure cruising then work contacting the Dinghy Cruising Association- they have an active Facebook group it that’s your bag. The boat depends on many factors, cruising or racing? budget, your weight and fitness.

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Tink
https://tinkboats.com

http://proasail.blogspot.com

Posted By: Sam.Spoons
Date Posted: 25 Jan 21 at 11:52pm

Dinghies capsize with varying degrees of ease but they can usually be recovered likewise. Generally speaking the less stable dinghies like Lasers and modern open transom/double bottom boats are easy to recover and come up dry enough to continue sailing immediately. More traditional dinghies like the Wayfarer are much harder to capsize but recovery is usually more protracted as they will have a fair bit of water in the cockpit which will need bailing out.

Some old designs have been updated with double bottoms (Ent and GP) and others like the OK have always had a small cockpit which doesn't hold too much water after a swim.

If cruising is your thing look for something designed for the job and learn not to capsize (not too difficult TBH). If racing or going fast is what lights your candle then you won't go far wrong with an old Laser as a first dinghy and learn how to recover from a capsize, you'll soon stop worrying about it.

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Spice 346 "Flat Broke"
Blaze 671 "supersonic soap dish"

Posted By: pij27
Date Posted: 27 Jan 21 at 1:00pm

Thanks for the advice, will look at the local clubs and do a course through one of them