Dinghy development: Mirror - FRP with Ply deck?

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Mirror - FRP with Ply deck?

Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: Dinghy classes
Forum Name: Dinghy development
Forum Discription: The latest moves in the dinghy market
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=13054
Printed Date: 02 Jul 25 at 2:14am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Mirror - FRP with Ply deck?

Posted By: Jarv_77
Subject: Mirror - FRP with Ply deck?
Date Posted: 02 May 18 at 3:03pm

Hi, Delving into the history books slightly...
I've recently seen a Mirror dinghy with sail number in the 68k -69k range. The hull is plastic (FRP/GRP?) but the deck and buoyancy tanks seem to be plywood. I know there are all FRP/GRP hulls with FRP/GRP decks but I've not seen this type of mixed construction before.

Is it a Bell / Ferranti as suggested by the sail number here...
http://www.ukmirrorsailing.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=481&Itemid=286" rel="nofollow - http://www.ukmirrorsailing.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=481&Itemid=286

Or is it a hybrid from somewhere..
Any knowledge welcomed.
Thanks

Replies:

Posted By: jeffers
Date Posted: 03 May 18 at 7:11am

I have asked around a bit (as i have a wood Mirror myself for sailing with the kids).

The aficionados say that both Bell and Trident made composite boats as you have described so plastic hull and wood decks.

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Paul
----------------------
D-Zero GBR 74

Posted By: Jarv_77
Date Posted: 03 May 18 at 8:52am

Thanks for the reply. Interesting that I couldn't find any history online. Maybe only a few were made but they would seem to have a good mix of robust and leak free hull with traditional looking topside.
Possibly heavier though if looking at performance.
Cheers.

Posted By: jeffers
Date Posted: 03 May 18 at 10:00am

It is reported that some of them were very heavy, around 85kg vs a min hull weight of 45kg.

-------------
Paul
----------------------
D-Zero GBR 74

Posted By: Noah
Date Posted: 03 May 18 at 11:05am

What the heck were they made from? Unobtanium? A Winder or Severn composite Fireball is only 79Kg

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Nick
D-Zero 316

Posted By: L123456
Date Posted: 03 May 18 at 12:39pm

Unobtanium it very light, not heavy.

Posted By: PeterG
Date Posted: 03 May 18 at 2:41pm

Just an excessive amount of matting and resin I expect. Would probably stop a bullet.

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Peter
Ex Cont 707
Ex Laser 189635
DY 59

Posted By: jeffers
Date Posted: 04 May 18 at 9:48am

Originally posted by Noah

What the heck were they made from? Unobtanium? A Winder or Severn composite Fireball is only 79Kg

They are a sandwich hull, The Mirrors were csm/resin I believe.

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Paul
----------------------
D-Zero GBR 74

Posted By: Jarv_77
Date Posted: 04 May 18 at 12:18pm

Hmm, I have the opportunity to buy either a composite with a load of new rigging, spinnaker and combi trailer/trolley - or - slightly cheaper, a late 70s ply model in great condition with original sails, no spinnaker and road trailer only.... Teaching the kids to sail and hopefully for them to race as they get experienced.. The weight of the composite worries me... May only be a set of scales that can help me decide.

Posted By: GarethT
Date Posted: 04 May 18 at 12:24pm

I would worry far more about putting your foot through the rotten floor of a 40 year old woody (been there, done that, quite enjoyed the woodwork project.

The mirror is an awesome boat for sailing with young kids (mine were using the spinnaker aged 5). If it were me, I'd bite their hand off for the composite one.

If your kids are small, rig it up with a flyaway pole and they'll love it.

Posted By: PeterG
Date Posted: 04 May 18 at 1:04pm

I would worry far more about putting your foot through the rotten floor of a 40 year old woody (been there, done that ..

Yes, same here, and it was a lot less than 40 years old. I'd go with the composite.

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Peter
Ex Cont 707
Ex Laser 189635
DY 59

Posted By: 423zero
Date Posted: 04 May 18 at 1:06pm

My 1960's woody has never been restored, only painted occasionally, if an adult jumps into a Mirror, even a good one, you will go through.

Posted By: RS400atC
Date Posted: 04 May 18 at 3:28pm

Mirror racing is like any other dinghy racing, you don't want a grossly over weight boat.
Wonderful though they are, they're not exactly quick when down to weight.
Even if you only want to teach the basics of sailing, you have to think about where you go when that phase is over. You may find other mirrors to race or you may want to sell.
There were some GRP mirror clones, ISTR some with wood decks. Some may have been built like outhouses for basic training? One of these might be carrying Mirror sails with someone else's number.
There is no reason why a grp hull/ wood deck composite should not be (at least vaguely) down to weight. I'd suggest weighing it, even if you can't do it precisely.

Posted By: jeffers
Date Posted: 08 May 18 at 8:08am

With regard to the ply hulls my boat is around 1985 and the addition of a couple of extra floor battens stiffened the floor up nicely.

God it rigged with a flyaway too so all 3 sails are there. The total outlay probably around £500 or so and 2 happy kids.

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Paul
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D-Zero GBR 74