Choosing a boat: Dinghy choice

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Dinghy choice

Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: General
Forum Name: Choosing a boat
Forum Discription: Ask any questions about the sport!
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=6955
Printed Date: 10 Aug 25 at 3:58am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Dinghy choice

Posted By: Owenfackrell
Subject: Dinghy choice
Date Posted: 19 Jul 10 at 8:21am

I am looking for a dinghy that I can both sail
singlehanded and with my family, including
my young daughters(3 and7). I will be going
to look at a kestrel and miracle. I'm not
looking to spend a lot of money ie less than
£600. I have done plenty of sailing in my life
but never been in this situation before. So
any advice on what to consider and also
what to look for on the above two?
Cheers
Owen

Replies:

Posted By: drifter
Date Posted: 19 Jul 10 at 9:08am

Graduate! Discussed before elsewhere.

I'd have thought a Kestrel was a bit big for singlehanding.

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Stewart

Posted By: Rupert
Date Posted: 19 Jul 10 at 3:37pm

I think in the past we have covered Mirror, Miracle, Grad, Firefly as good boats for this kind of thing. I'm sure there were others, too, but basically it came down to a smallish boat that you could sail with 10% of your attention while 90% is on the preschooler. The 7 year old would be able to use the jib pretty well on any of the above, with help from you.

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Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686

Posted By: winging it
Date Posted: 19 Jul 10 at 5:23pm

Kestrel - I am a large grown up person. When I want to move my kestrel around the dinghy park I use the club tractor. I usually sail a contender. I would not even thinbk about sailing the kestrel on my own unless I had the club tractor ready on the slip to help me get it out of the water, and it was very light winds.

In short, don't even go there.

I would go with Rupert's suggestions. look for good sound wood, so it doesn't have to spend too much time in the garage, a decent trolley, so you don't have to spend too much time at the chiropractor, but also see what is being sailed at your club.

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the same, but different...

Posted By: redback
Date Posted: 19 Jul 10 at 11:19pm

A Mirror is a much underrated boat. Great with small kids for rowing and sailing and light enough to be handled on land by one adult. Its big enough you can get 2 adults and 2 kids in for a not to seriuos sail or for rowing. Its even car top-able.

I bought one some years ago and took the kids for a row around the reservior and explored lots of the local river. We took it on holiday and explored Portland Harbour. My son and I raced it and won in its first ever race.

My son was 7, my daughter 4 and the boat cost £200 and of course with its racing record I sold it for £250 after about 5 years.