Choosing a boat: Gull vs Comet Zero vs Mirror

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Gull vs Comet Zero vs Mirror

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=9231
Printed Date: 04 Aug 25 at 8:50am
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Topic: Gull vs Comet Zero vs Mirror

Posted By: simon_cymru
Subject: Gull vs Comet Zero vs Mirror
Date Posted: 19 Apr 12 at 10:17pm

I want to get a small dinghy to teach my eldest son to sail (he is 8).

We live right on the coast but would only use in calm bays/lakes.

Been out of dinghies for a little while so my immediate thought was for a mirror but having done a bit of research quite like the look of the Comet Zero or Gull Spirit.

Any views/experience of these dinghies gratefully received.

Replies:

Posted By: JimC
Date Posted: 19 Apr 12 at 10:22pm

The Gull's much like the Mirror, but a bit heavier and arguably rather better in big waves. Comet : no experience.

Posted By: Rupert
Date Posted: 20 Apr 12 at 9:26am

Comet Zero is a little bit quicker, but at the cost of stability.

Personally, I went for the Mirror - an old one with the option of putting the mast forwards and just using one sail, with Gaff rig still so it all packs away easily under a trailing cover.

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Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686

Posted By: getafix
Date Posted: 21 Apr 12 at 7:40am

Mirrors are great, plentiful and available in all colours, trims and tweaks to suit whatever budget. Lots of suppliers and kit around to mess about with it if you want to. Daggerboard can make coming in/going out from beaches and launching slips 'interesting' ...

Comet Zero are less plentiful, very stable, sail nicely, have a centreboard (easier beach/ramp launching) and sail really well, also backed up by very good supplier who'll be helpful to you, even if you've bought 2nd hand. Comet Zero jib furls - nice touch for launching and while sailing, particularly if you're dealing with a beginner as there's nothing like a flogging jib to unerve the inexperienced. There's even a small locker up by the bow you can put a little anchor in, should you choose to use it as a swim/fishing/spectating/sun-bathing platform or just stop for a bite.

Gull - sailed a couple of times, but unfortunately absolute mingers at sailing schools so no idea if better examples would be more fun than those.

Posted By: simon_cymru
Date Posted: 21 Apr 12 at 8:09am

Have to say I'm coming round to the idea of a Comet Zero if I can find one at a reasonable price.

Any Comet Zero sailors out there who can further persuade me or are even looking to sell their boat (closer to North Wales the better) ?

Posted By: SoggyBadger
Date Posted: 21 Apr 12 at 8:12am

No experience of the Comet Zero so can't help you with that one. Between the Mirror and the Gull, I'd go for the Gull. It's got a centreboard rather than a dagger-board and it's a lot roomier, which won't be an issue for your son but it may be for you.

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Best wishes from deep in the woods

SB

Posted By: sawman
Date Posted: 26 May 12 at 9:36pm

Have you considered a Miracle? I picked one up last summer and it has been great for teaching the kids, it goes pretty well, so they dont get too bored, but no so fast as to be scary