Gull vs Comet Zero

   Interested in a small lightweight cruising dinghy for solo sailing with the odd overnight camping.  I have recently sailed a Gull and it was until recently my number one choice. I then came across the Comet Zero and it appears to be aimed at the same market as the Gull. I like the layout out the Comet, it is a bit lighter, and I particular like the assymetric. The later Gulls have better storage and the reputation for idea for my intended purpose. 
So does anyone have any experience sailing either of these boats as a solo cruiser and like to comment on stability, seakeeping etc etc

There will be people who think that both boats are too small and say I need a Wanderer which I feel is a tad heavy. To these people I would pose the same same question but Wanderer vs Comet Versa

Thanks 

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tink Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 23 Jan 16 Location: North Hants Online Status: Offline Posts: 789	Post Options Post Reply Quote tink Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Gull vs Comet Zero Posted: 06 Sep 18 at 8:02am
	Interested in a small lightweight cruising dinghy for solo sailing with the odd overnight camping. I have recently sailed a Gull and it was until recently my number one choice. I then came across the Comet Zero and it appears to be aimed at the same market as the Gull. I like the layout out the Comet, it is a bit lighter, and I particular like the assymetric. The later Gulls have better storage and the reputation for idea for my intended purpose. So does anyone have any experience sailing either of these boats as a solo cruiser and like to comment on stability, seakeeping etc etc There will be people who think that both boats are too small and say I need a Wanderer which I feel is a tad heavy. To these people I would pose the same same question but Wanderer vs Comet Versa Thanks
	Tink https://tinkboats.com http://proasail.blogspot.com

SoggyBadger Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 26 Oct 10 Location: The Wild Wood Online Status: Offline Posts: 552	Post Options Post Reply Quote SoggyBadger Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 08 Sep 18 at 7:45pm
	Whilst the Comet Zero is a nice little boat, for me it lacks a few features which I feel a cruising dinghy should have:- Firstly, and most importantly, a back-up form of propulsion is essential in a cruising dinghy and it looks like it would be extremely difficult to fit rowlocks to the Zero and I'm not sure how easy it would be to fit an outboard motor. Secondly the Zero comes without any form of reefing for the main. You'd need to fit that and have reef points put into the sail. Many of the Gulls you see for sale already have a reefing system for the main installed. Thirdly, and this is purely personal bias, I'm not keen on the lack of a foredeck. In a sea you're going to get a lot more water in the boat than you would with the Gull and you don't really want that in a cruising dinghy. Overall I'd say go for the Gull. And ignore those that say you need a bigger boat. The bigger boat is only an advantage if you plan to sleep in it. I highly recommend you get Margaret Dye's book on dinghy cruising if you haven't already got it. It's a gold mine of information on the subject.
	Best wishes from deep in the woods SB

tink Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 23 Jan 16 Location: North Hants Online Status: Offline Posts: 789	Post Options Post Reply Quote tink Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 08 Sep 18 at 7:58pm
	Thanks, all valid points, the draw of the Comet is the asymmetric but as you say it there are down sides. I have Margaret Dyes book and Roger Barnes book and keep flipping between the two.
	Tink https://tinkboats.com http://proasail.blogspot.com

Rupert Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 11 Aug 04 Location: Whitefriars sc Online Status: Offline Posts: 8956	Post Options Post Reply Quote Rupert Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 09 Sep 18 at 7:14pm
	The Zero is a much more unstable boat than the Gull, with less volume and a much more rounded hull shape. It carries less weight and has led freeboard. I enjoy sailing them, but wouldn't want to take one cruising. One the plus side, you can get sails with reef points, but maybe they aren't common. If looking for a lighter boat than the Gull for camp cruising, take a look at the Mirror.
	Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686

423zero Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 08 Jan 15 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 3419	Post Options Post Reply Quote 423zero Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 09 Sep 18 at 7:32pm
	Plus 1 for the Mirror, search YouTube for Mirror mod's, see how owner has turned his boat into a cruiser.