Best Dinghy for Estuary use
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=9284
Printed Date: 05 Aug 25 at 10:56am
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Topic: Best Dinghy for Estuary use
Posted By: Estuary Bound
Subject: Best Dinghy for Estuary use
Date Posted: 03 May 12 at 2:15pm
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I'd like some advice on the best, or most suitable I should say, Dinghy to sail in the Thames Estuary. I'd like something easy(ier) to handle (I am a novice) and that can be sailed single-handed or with two adults who are both six footers. Bias towards single-handed except when teenage son can be dragged away from the internet to join in. Might choose to race but ideal is a weekend on the water just for the fun of it. Budget is open for the right choice ------------- It's just plain rude to live on the coast and not be afloat |
Replies:
Posted By: tgruitt
Date Posted: 03 May 12 at 2:26pm
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Take a look at the Crabber 12. http://www.cornishcrabbers.co.uk/
------------- Needs to sail more... |
Posted By: Estuary Bound
Date Posted: 03 May 12 at 2:35pm
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Looks interesting but probably looking to go "used" first time. Any other ideas? ------------- It's just plain rude to live on the coast and not be afloat |
Posted By: G.R.F.
Date Posted: 03 May 12 at 3:25pm
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Miracle? ------------- https://www.ease-distribution.com/" rel="nofollow - https://www.ease-distribution.com/ |
Posted By: Owenfackrell
Date Posted: 03 May 12 at 3:51pm
| A miracle does sound right for what your looking for. They can be sailed single handed or 2 up and are light enough that one person can manage it on the shore plus they can be picked up cheaply. |
Posted By: Estuary Bound
Date Posted: 03 May 12 at 4:01pm
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Miracle looks a good choice, a little apprehensive going wooden. Pulling up on a shingle beach might be an issue. Several good examples on the Miracle Assoc site. Any recommendations in the plastic fantastic range? Pondered a Gull but hear they're a bit tippy. ------------- It's just plain rude to live on the coast and not be afloat |
Posted By: r2d2
Date Posted: 03 May 12 at 4:14pm
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RS vision with a small outboard for those times when the tide is too strong?
http://www.rssailing.com/fleets.asp?fleet=RS%20Vision&selection=Details%20and%20Spec - http://www.rssailing.com/fleets.asp?fleet=RS%20Vision&selection=Details%20and%20Spec
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Posted By: pondmonkey
Date Posted: 03 May 12 at 4:20pm
| 2nd hand Laser Vago could fit the bill |
Posted By: Estuary Bound
Date Posted: 03 May 12 at 4:41pm
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RS looks an interesting but perhaps a bit on the heavy side for pulling up on your own? Any thoughts... The Vago looks a bit on the racy side ------------- It's just plain rude to live on the coast and not be afloat |
Posted By: themeaningoflife
Date Posted: 03 May 12 at 6:16pm
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What club are you at? Because plenty of people at Essex Yacht Club in Leigh-on-Sea have the Topaz Race which seems to fits your spec quite well. ------------- Cambridge University Lightweight Rowing Club RS800 1128 kindly sponsored by http://www.rwo-marine.com" rel="nofollow - RWO Marine |
Posted By: radixon
Date Posted: 03 May 12 at 6:18pm
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RS Vareo - not sailed one, but can take two people however nothing for second person to do upwind. RS Feva - can take a 6ft guy (I am 6ft) and can be sailed singlehanded or double. Slightly deeper than its rivals, either the Pico, Topaz or Q'ba. Topper have the vibe, but al little racy too. Laser 2 is another boat to look at or 2000, Where are you looking to launch, where are you storing it, and how far do you want to travel? ------------- |
Posted By: ham4sand
Date Posted: 03 May 12 at 6:28pm
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id also say laser vago, they arent that racy but maybe a bit tippy for you ------------- John Hamilton cherub 2645 - cheese before bedtime cherub 3209 - anatidaephobia laser 176847 - kiss this [FORSALE] |
Posted By: Estuary Bound
Date Posted: 04 May 12 at 9:29am
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Thanks for all the replies. No club as yet but looking at any of the Estuary clubs, probably Leigh on Sea S.C. Will either store at the clubs (little worried about vandalism) or at home. Sailing area will be mainly Thames Estuary but also other East Coast rivers etc (all within about a 40 mile radius). Does anyone have any experience of the Tideway? Really in a quandary whether to go classic comfort or "sporty" fun or soething in the between. ------------- It's just plain rude to live on the coast and not be afloat |
Posted By: Contender443
Date Posted: 04 May 12 at 9:31am
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Wanderer, maybe a bit heavy but plenty of space. Can be sailed easily singlehanded, made of glass and I guess there should be a few secondhand versions around. ------------- Bonnie Lass Contender 1764 |
Posted By: Estuary Bound
Date Posted: 04 May 12 at 9:46am
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Thanks Contender443. Any experience of the lighter Gull? This is one I keep coming back to. ------------- It's just plain rude to live on the coast and not be afloat |
Posted By: Rupert
Date Posted: 04 May 12 at 11:52am
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Gull is a nice boat, but will seem small with 2 6 footers on board, I'd think. Mind, you are just starting out, and so don't want too much to handle. Also might be a bit slow to get against the tide? GP14 with a reefable main sail might work - plenty of cheap GRP boats around, I'd have thought. ------------- Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686 |
Posted By: Steve H
Date Posted: 04 May 12 at 3:16pm
Posted By: Steve H
Date Posted: 04 May 12 at 3:20pm
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Estuary, The vandalism at Leigh is not too bad now we have put up the fencing around the racks, we just have to make sure they are chained down and can't be moved. Why don't you pop down to the club over the weekend and have a look at what is sailed I think there are most of the boats being talked about including a few tideway owners. PM me if you need any other information or people to speak to
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Posted By: Athene
Date Posted: 09 May 12 at 1:30pm
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Hi,
If dinghy cruising is your main ideal then a Gull would be excellent - not hugely fast and exciting but safe - I have a friend who has sailed a Gull single handed in a F5 with no safety cover and felt comfortable he wasn't going to get into trouble. Can also add an outboard if it looks like the wind might die / or if you wind up with a strong tide against you. Gulls appartenetly hold their value well so you wouldn't have trouble re-selling if you wanted something bigger or faster in the future. And one person can launch and retrieve a Gull
Athene
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Posted By: Caveman
Date Posted: 14 Jun 12 at 8:08pm
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IMO most two person boats are not great to sail single handed. As you are a novice, I would suggest joining a club, and offering yourself as a crew. There are plenty of sail racers looking for reliable crews. Someone will quickly "adopt" you and drill you into a competent racing crew. You will learn loads from this experience. The Alternative is to acquire a relatively simple one person boat like a Laser or a Solo and start doing some club racing in that. But expect to spend the first year finishing at the back of the fleet. ------------- Enthusiasm>Skill |
Posted By: kfz
Date Posted: 15 Jun 12 at 7:43am
Not sure how. Its a nightmare.
If you can sail uptide on a rising tide then if you fit extra tough keelband (which doesnt exist you would have to make it yourself) you can drop the boat on the hard then get rid of the trailer and get back in pull up the main before your afloat.
Same on return on the falling tide. Drop it on the slip and then winch onto the trailer from the hard.
Have not tried using the anchor its a big pain trying to get to enough depth and its no fun wading in and out through chest deep water in such a flow. In fact its well dodgy. Though not sure what the rise of tide like is on the Thames, or what the ground is like.
Kev
------------- GP14 Fleet Captain Liverpool Sailing Club http://www.liverpoolsailingclub.org/ - Liverpool SC |
Posted By: robinft
Date Posted: 15 Jun 12 at 2:08pm
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Laser 13? http://homepages.rya-online.net/lasercruisingassociation/ - http://homepages.rya-online.net/lasercruisingassociation/ ------------- Laser number 9 |
Posted By: bferry
Date Posted: 15 Jun 12 at 2:46pm
136kg hull weight looks heavy to handle single handed! ------------- Bernard Vareo 249 Miracle 2818 Malta |
Posted By: infoleather
Date Posted: 17 Aug 12 at 7:24am
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Can easily one-handed navigation, made of glass, I think there should be some second-hand versions around.
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