Keelboat or Dinghy

I am looking to take up sailing and my question is what is the better boat to learn on, a small keelboat or a dinghy. Also what is the difference as when looking at some information they appear to be talking about the same thing.

I am in my forties and therefore don't want an out and out speed machine, but something that can be sailed fairly easily but is safe to take a passenger. All advice is greatly welcomed.

It partly depends on what you are looking forward to doing in the future. If your goal is to cruise the coast for a week, living aboard and visiting new ports...well, you're a keelboat sailor and don't ever need to step into a sailing dinghy!!!

If the idea of something cheaper and more responsive, for days out sailing or racing appeals, perhaps take a course at your nearest club in whatever dinghy they provide, and go from there.

Originally posted by pij27 I am in my forties and therefore don't want an out and out speed machine, but something that can be sailed fairly easily but is safe to take a passenger.

Bear in mind this is a dinghy racing forum and you'll probably get advice to the contrary but from everything you have said, you'd be happier in a keelboat, or possibly a Wayfarer, which is a dinghy that's often used for teaching and is much more stable than most dinghies.

The only thing about keelbats is that because they are heavier and react more slowly it can take longer to get the feel of sailing than in something lighter.

Remember is that you aren't signing up for a marriage when you buy a boat, you can change your mind and flog it, which is why its probably better for the firstboat not to be brand new so you can pass it on fairly quickly without too much depreciation should you wish to.

What I would advise anyone in your position to do is to find a local club that runs taster type sessions. From that you can get a better feel for what suits you. No point in shelling out cash for a boat and flogging it again 3 months later.

For instance my club, Island Barn, in Molesey, Surrey, runs a basic learners course on Tuesday evenings through the Summer. We use club owned boats, and the idea is that by the end of it you have a pretty reasonable idea of what sort of boat you want to get, and are ready to get it, join [we hope] our club and be confident of being able to sail around in any kind of moderate conditions. I'm sure lots of other clunbs run something similar...

Originally posted by MerlinMags Until you are 70 or have mobility problems there is not really anything to fear about capsizing!

There are people who like to sail but don't much like to swim. There are people who like to swim but are scared out of their wits by capsizing. There are also those happy souls whose idea of a good sailing session is a dozen capsizes. Different strokes for different folks. If you don't wish to capsize, Wayfarer or keelboat is the way to go.