Beginner Dinghy Advice - Mirror for 2 Adults?

   Hi all, I’d be really grateful for a bit of advice on a first dinghy.  My wife and I are beginners in our late 50s and I think probably medium in size! Me 1.81m (6ft) & 83kg (13st); my wife 1.64m (5ft4’’) &  58kg (9st).  We may end up doing some fun-level racing but for now want to consolidate learning with lots of hours on a lake, so I guess ‘cruising’ for the moment.  

We quite like the idea of a Mirror. Is this likely to  be OK for us to sail 2-up, then maybe solo later. I’m struggling to find much info on 2-adult Mirror sailing, and differentiating ‘optimal’ from ‘´possible’ crew weight. I do realise the combined crew weight is heavy to be competitive. Thanks in advance for any advice! 

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guitarman Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 05 Nov 21 Online Status: Offline Posts: 2	Post Options Post Reply Quote guitarman Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Beginner Dinghy Advice - Mirror for 2 Adults? Posted: 05 Nov 21 at 5:53pm
	Hi all, I’d be really grateful for a bit of advice on a first dinghy. My wife and I are beginners in our late 50s and I think probably medium in size! Me 1.81m (6ft) & 83kg (13st); my wife 1.64m (5ft4’’) & 58kg (9st). We may end up doing some fun-level racing but for now want to consolidate learning with lots of hours on a lake, so I guess ‘cruising’ for the moment. We quite like the idea of a Mirror. Is this likely to be OK for us to sail 2-up, then maybe solo later. I’m struggling to find much info on 2-adult Mirror sailing, and differentiating ‘optimal’ from ‘´possible’ crew weight. I do realise the combined crew weight is heavy to be competitive. Thanks in advance for any advice!

Sam.Spoons Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 07 Mar 12 Location: Manchester UK Online Status: Offline Posts: 3395	Post Options Post Reply Quote Sam.Spoons Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 05 Nov 21 at 6:15pm
	The Mirror is a good boat but would probably feel a little cramped for you (though not as cramped as some more modern designs like the Pico or Topaz). An Enterprise might be a good choice, relatively simple, very well mannered and pretty roomy. Prices from a couple of hundred for an old one (wooden or GRP)* up to several thousand for a new or nearly new FRP boat so something for everybody. Optimum weight for racing used to be around 22 stone so pretty much spot on for you and your wife. They aren't too heavy either compared to L2000, GP14 and most similarly sized roto-moulded boats. * If you have the will and room to maintain a wooden boat you can pick up a beautiful example for surprisingly little money. Edited by Sam.Spoons - 05 Nov 21 at 6:31pm
	Spice 346 "Flat Broke" Blaze 671 "supersonic soap dish"

423zero Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 08 Jan 15 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 3399	Post Options Post Reply Quote 423zero Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 05 Nov 21 at 6:39pm
	This is a video of mine showing a 'Mirror' two up racing, Male is about 5ft 10 and 10 stone, female is about 5ft 4 and about 8 stone, was gale force wind, Roger is a serious 'Mirror' sailor, he would tell you to give it a go I agree with Samspoons 'Enterprise all the way, whatever you pay for it, you will get same amount for it a year later, a couple of hundred to a couple of thousand, you will have no issues with advice either, most club sailors over the years have been in one. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypLJO0mG56Q Edited by 423zero - 05 Nov 21 at 6:39pm
	Robert

Do Different Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 26 Jan 12 Location: North Online Status: Offline Posts: 1312	Post Options Post Reply Quote Do Different Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 06 Nov 21 at 7:15am
	Finding no fault with Mirror but I'd go Miracle all day long. That little bit more roomy which two adults might appreciate.

sawman Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 04 May 11 Online Status: Offline Posts: 205	Post Options Post Reply Quote sawman Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 06 Nov 21 at 10:02am
	Sounds like a Miracle would be a better bet - bit more space and waaay nicer to sail, easy to handle on shore as they are lighter than things like Ent's and laser 2000 (especially L2000!) and easy to single hand if you want Edited by sawman - 06 Nov 21 at 10:05am

guitarman Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 05 Nov 21 Online Status: Offline Posts: 2	Post Options Post Reply Quote guitarman Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 06 Nov 21 at 10:03am
	Thanks for the responses so far… all good advice and food for thought.

ColPrice2002 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 25 Nov 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 221	Post Options Post Reply Quote ColPrice2002 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 06 Nov 21 at 8:48pm
	Welcome to the world of sailing! The Mirror is a very versatile dinghy, the Miracle is slightly bigger. With all secondhand dingies, look carefully for signs of rot and weaknesses... The original Mirror dinghy had a couple of weak points:- The floor was reinforced by 2 battens - this wasn't quite sufficient, later dinghies had 4 battens... The stitch & glue construction of the dinghy was good, but the resins used in the older dinghies isn't as good as new ones... All the best, Colin

Old bloke Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Posting king Joined: 03 Nov 17 Online Status: Offline Posts: 121	Post Options Post Reply Quote Old bloke Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 07 Nov 21 at 9:05am
	I would suggest approaching the question from the other end. You appear to have a club in mind. What do they sail there that is broadly suitable for you?. There are a whole host of boats that will fit your criteria, but the boats sailed at a club will tend to suit the water and, especially if you expect to race (and sailing aimlessly round a pond gets pretty boring once you have the basics) it's a lot more fun and sociable being in the mix

wolfram Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 30 Jul 21 Online Status: Offline Posts: 23	Post Options Post Reply Quote wolfram Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 02 Dec 21 at 4:56pm
	look at national 12's beautiful boats and you can start very cheap. You van choose vintage or high tech modern. National 12
	Wolfram

rich96 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 20 Jan 05 Online Status: Offline Posts: 596	Post Options Post Reply Quote rich96 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 03 Dec 21 at 10:08am
	N12 is probably not what you want as a first dinghy - beautiful boats but probably much too tippy Miracle, Gul, Heron, Mirror, Wanderer, GP 14, Enterprise (but can also be a little tippy) ?