Choosing a boat: Miracle or newer boat?

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Miracle or newer boat?

Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: General
Forum Name: Choosing a boat
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Printed Date: 07 Aug 25 at 3:14pm
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Topic: Miracle or newer boat?

Posted By: debsav
Subject: Miracle or newer boat?
Date Posted: 23 Jul 10 at 10:20pm

I'm returning to sailing after several decades. I sailed a Mirror in my teens and have recently been refreshing my skills on a Pico at the local sailing centre. I would like to buy a boat that I could either sail on my own or with my partner. I'm not interested in racing. Have been thinking about a Miracle and will hire a Xenon to see what that's like. Any ideas?

Replies:

Posted By: JimC
Date Posted: 24 Jul 10 at 10:18am

There really aren't any boats that work well singlehanded and two handed... Solos and Bytes are choices amongst the more mature ladies at my club. I tend towards recoommending the Bytes since because it is much shallower its easier to get in post capsize: the Solo seems to demand a bit more upper body strength.

The Xenon is an awfully big lump to haul around the dinghy park singlehanded...

Posted By: ex laser
Date Posted: 24 Jul 10 at 12:00pm

if your thinking singlehander, british moths, comets and lightnings are all good boats in their diferent ways.

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Posted By: bferry
Date Posted: 26 Jul 10 at 9:05am

I own a Miracle and RS Vareo. Although my wife and I regularly sailed the Miracle together I mostly sailed it single handed. Its a manageable boat but I guess it depends on your weight and agility. If you are used to sailing a Mirror, the Miracle would be a lovely boat to step up to. The mainsail can be adapted for reefing and you can remove the jib if you want to reduce sail area, although this will affect pointing ability upwind. The jib may be a bit of a handful to handle without crew, whilst you will definitely not be able to use the spinnaker. The cockpit is relatively dry, unlike the low sitting Byte and is spacious enough to take a couple of small children and/or picnic baskets…etc for cruising in light winds. It is a stable boat, and righting after a capsize is not too hard. It is a light boat to launch but will require regular maintenance considering its made of wood. There are many of these boats on the second hand market selling from 300pounds upwards.

I decided to go for a single handed boat like the Vareo since it is easier to manage single handed and has the benefit of a genniker to make things more interesting. It can also accommodate a crew thanks to its large cockpit. Again, weight should be an important factor in choosing the right boat. This also depends on the wind conditions you are planning to sail in.

With regards to the Xenon, I'm not that familiar with the boat, but have sailed a Topper Topaz Uno Plus regularly. If I'm not mistaken these boats have a plastic rotomolded hull which is very low maintenance and should have a long lifespan. The Xenon will be more expensive that the Miracle and may be more suited to a two person crew due to the sail area.

Posted By: Medway Maniac
Date Posted: 26 Jul 10 at 7:02pm

I was asked this question before, and the Miracle was about the only boat I could think of to recommend for both singlehanding and two-up.

If you are light, you would be underpowered for racing but as that's not an issue, no problem, the boat is still manageable singlehanded, and, importantly, light when ashore. For two-up, it is surprisingly roomy.

Main problem is finding a glassfibre one (they exist) if you're not into painting and varnishing.

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Posted By: Barty
Date Posted: 26 Jul 10 at 9:23pm

Originally posted by bferry

The jib may be a bit of a handful to handle without crew, whilst you will definitely not be able to use the spinnaker.

I had a mirror which got dropped and written off so I went for a miracle as a replacement for me and my 4 and 7 year old sons. I had to start again pretty much but with some thought you can set it up for single handed sailing. I have just done a week regatta with my 4 year old who can just about pull the jib in but i uncleated and flew the spinny basically single handed. Centre main, continuous jib sheet, dual controls and a flyaway pole and your sorted. Excellent boats for single handed or crewed, easy to sail.

Xenon is big and heavy, no really made for single handed but does have zip reefing on the main. Miracle i would say. Dave Butler of Butler boats is very helpful and builds tbe FRP boats which are sweet!

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http://www.highlandtopper.com - For Topper boats & spares in Scotland-highlandtopper.com

Posted By: redback
Date Posted: 26 Jul 10 at 11:42pm

I concur the Miracle is a delightful boat and I would have
thought quite manageable single handed. The Xenon is
altogether a bigger boat and I suspect not as sweet to
handle and just too heavy to lug up a beach or steep ramp
single handed.

Posted By: debsav
Date Posted: 27 Jul 10 at 9:01am

Thanks for all the replies! I had started off leaning towards a Miracle and am now thinking that's the one for me. The only reason I'd mentioned the Xenon was because I can hire one to try out at my local sailing centre. I'm fairly strong so it looks like I'll be able to manage the Miracle single-handed. I haven't ever raced or used a spinnaker but who knows.....I'll just have to start enlisting crew!

Posted By: Barty
Date Posted: 03 Aug 10 at 2:06pm

Class association website is http://www.miracledinghy.org - http://www.miracledinghy.org

If you get a wooden one make sure you turn it over and check the floor as they are rot boxes when left. Also if you get the circlular mast and boom you will need spreaders (if they aren't fitted) as the mast bend is uncontrollable and pretty wild.

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http://www.highlandtopper.com - For Topper boats & spares in Scotland-highlandtopper.com