A classic dinghy and a classic "good idea at the time"

[MoodySabre]

A classic dinghy and a classic \"good idea at the time\"

I got swept along by the idea (having never dinghy sailed) of cruising the backwaters and creeks in a sailing tender. So I bought this potential cracker. 8' by 4'.

Having taken some advice from someone who knows wooden boats I find that there is quite a lot to do - a couple of planks to replace and several ribs that are cracked. I now have reservations about my ability to do it justice and whether I'll actually use enough to make it all worthwhile.

The dinghy was built by a Rolls Royce engineer about 40 years ago and he made all the fittings too. I bought it from the person who inherited it with the house - I don't know if it has ever been afloat.

So do the panel think that it is saleable? Everything has a price on ebay (where I bought it) but what's it really worth? Would I get £300 for it?

Thought I'd ask here where the woodys lurk.

 

[pyrojames]

Re: A classic dinghy and a classic \"good idea at the time\"

Keep it! Looks fabulous, and I'll race you in mine. When I get organised I'll get my other one seaworthy as well. It is just like yours sounds, although I can get away without replacing any planks, just needs some ribs and a rig.

 

[Romeo]

Re: A classic dinghy and a classic \"good idea at the time\"

I see a wee man with wellies who will be very disappointed if you sell it without giving him a go in it.

 

[MoodySabre]

Re: A classic dinghy and a classic \"good idea at the time\"

[ QUOTE ]
I see a wee man with wellies who will be very disappointed if you sell it without giving him a go in it.

[/ QUOTE ]

That was the son of the vendor. I'm the only little 15st boy who will go in it.

 

[Romeo]

Re: A classic dinghy and a classic \"good idea at the time\"

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I see a wee man with wellies who will be very disappointed if you sell it without giving him a go in it.

[/ QUOTE ]

That was the son of the vendor. I'm the only little 15st boy who will go in it.

[/ QUOTE ]


and do you have wellies?

 

[ccscott49]

Re: A classic dinghy and a classic \"good idea at the time\"

Beautiful looking wee dinghy, couple of planks and a few steamed ribs not a problem. Go for it, dont sell it.
Wish I ad the time to do it, I'd have it!

 

[cliffordpope]

Re: A classic dinghy and a classic \"good idea at the time\"

Nice boat. Keep it!

But I don't like the rig. It looks too fussy with that tiny staysail, and the main looks out of proportion with long boom and short mast.
I think a simple lugsail would be nicer for the true Swallows & Amazons look.

 

[pyrojames]

Re: A classic dinghy and a classic \"good idea at the time\"

Agreed. The rig does look very wrong. The staysail is probably OK if set low rather than at the mast head, but the main looks like it's had a couple of feet chopped of the bottom. You might get a sailmaker to add some on for you, rather than getting a whole new main.

I have a both a gunter rig with jib on bowsprit on mine, but also an unstayed lug for when it's windy.

Still a great looking dinghy though.

 

[MoodySabre]

Re: A classic dinghy and a classic \"good idea at the time\"

The sails (which look unused) are obviously off something else - a Curlew has been suggested. A relatively minor issue to sort out. Perhaps.

 

[Romeo]

Re: A classic dinghy and a classic \"good idea at the time\"

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I see a wee man with wellies who will be very disappointed if you sell it without giving him a go in it.

[/ QUOTE ]

That was the son of the vendor. I'm the only little 15st boy who will go in it.

[/ QUOTE ]


and do you have wellies?

[/ QUOTE ]

.........because it sounds like you might need them.

If you do not expect to be sailing in it by May, sell it to someone who will (possibly someone under 15 stone). Shame to have a nice wee boat like that not getting used. You could always try posting it on a message board with a rhetorical question, thereby avoiding rules about advertising items for sale at over £200, in the hope that someone will PM you with an offer to purchase, thereby saving you the effort and uncertainty of e-bay, or the fees of advertising a cheap boat, and making it more likely that it will go to someone with the skills and desire to actually make something of it...........

Oh, you've done that already! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[MoodySabre]

Re: A classic dinghy and a classic \"good idea at the time\"

Oh what a good idea.

cough cough
|
|
|

 

[burgundyben]

Re: A classic dinghy and a classic \"good idea at the time\"

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I see a wee man with wellies who will be very disappointed if you sell it without giving him a go in it.

[/ QUOTE ]

That was the son of the vendor. I'm the only little 15st boy who will go in it.

[/ QUOTE ]


and do you have wellies?

[/ QUOTE ]

.........because it sounds like you might need them.

If you do not expect to be sailing in it by May, sell it to someone who will (possibly someone under 15 stone). Shame to have a nice wee boat like that not getting used. You could always try posting it on a message board with a rhetorical question, thereby avoiding rules about advertising items for sale at over £200, in the hope that someone will PM you with an offer to purchase, thereby saving you the effort and uncertainty of e-bay, or the fees of advertising a cheap boat, and making it more likely that it will go to someone with the skills and desire to actually make something of it...........

Oh, you've done that already! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Did it need saying...cough...

 

[Lakesailor]

Re: A classic dinghy and a classic \"good idea at the time\"

Wimp. A couple of cracked ribs never hurt anyone. Just don't roll the boat over if it's got any water in.
Planks. Try sailing it first and do the planks at your leisure. I bet it's not as bad as you've been advised.
I have a couple of crakced ribs and a split in a plank on my 13' dinghy.
Adds character.

 

[tidclacy]

Re: A classic dinghy and a classic \"good idea at the time\"

Go for it, I have two Burnham Scow clinker dinghies one which needed a lot of work and with little experience managed to fix her. I agree with the comments on the sails. a balanced lug would be much more suitable. You will find the joy of sailing around the backwaters more than makes up for the work in making her shipshape.

 

[MoodySabre]

Re: A classic dinghy and a classic \"good idea at the time\"

I have tried to be a bit more analytical about this.

All fixed up it will be worth quite a bit so not leaving it hanging about by the water's edge with no cover on it - got no cover.

Don't know if I'm able to park free at the marina (unlikely).

My usage won't justify a dinghy of that calibre.

I don't have a towable trailer or a towing hook.

Answer: See if I can sell it for near to what I paid for it. A bit over the forum limit so ebay here I come.

Lesson learned (until next time).

Thanks for your responses.

 

[chrisdnichols]

Re: A classic dinghy and a classic \"good idea at the time\"

From the photos the boat looks very similar to a Walker 8 - the same as the one i restored three of four years ago. She was without sails but now has a nutshell sail (from Jeckells) and I sail around the upper Blackwater sitting on the bottomboards shuffling from side to side when tacking. Really worth saving and sailing! Go for it.
Best of luck