Best boat for complete novice?

[benitez]

Finally have decided to take up sailing, but in a very small way and would welcome some advice. I think I’d like a dinghy, to be used mostly in the summer, in SW France, Biarritz/St Jean de Luz (poodling around in the bay, up the river mainly). Capacity for two people (maybe the dog as well) and a small outboard in case of trouble. Trailerable and which could be kept in a reasonably sized single garage over the winter. I don’t have much in the way of experience; crewed a few times across the Channel and Bay of Biscay, (but just obeyed orders). Have windsurfed for decades, but not lately. Too heavy.
Anyway would welcome some help. I’ve looked at the Wayfarer, seems a bit big, but I know nothing. Be grateful for advice.

 

[ShipsWoofy]

If you have windsurfed you are going to need a dinghy with a little oomph or you are going to get very frustrated. I would suggest a with windsurfing background you could teach many of us how to dinghy sail properly /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

A little room, easy to tow, a bit of oomph,

I would look at possibly an enterprise. Don't know about the outboard but though.

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

Wouldn't want to put an outboard on an Ent......

Look at one of the new RS range, the Vision...

 

[Sea Devil]

I started with a Mirror dinghy - (built it in the garage) It will go on a small trailer or the roof of a car - are super little dinghys with a jib and a main - sailed mine on the sea and raced on the Thames - will take a little 2 hp - not sure if they still sell them new

 

[Alan1]

I would look at a Wanderer , which is a smaller Wayfarer and can take a outboard.

 

[primitiveman]

Or a Laser 16? More oomph than a Wayfarer, but all the same good points. More expensive to buy though.

 

[Inselaffe]

I returned to dinghies a couple of years ago after windsurfing for 20 years.
In the end I got a cherub http://www.sailingsource.com/cherub/chframe.php
which gave me as much adreneline as windsurfing at Guincho with 5m waves, but I had already sailed one as a teenager and not what you want for poodling around the bay.

What I would say is unless you get something really radical in the dinghy world, (which will be too much to start with) then it won't be any match for the w/s-ing feeling at all, so I wouldn't worry too much about 'oomph', you are on a loser if you try to replace windsurfing. But poodling is just as good - I haven't had the boards or cherub out once since moving to a cruiser, and that is sub 5knts pipe and slippers for me.

I would like to also get a mirror, or enterprise for sailing with the wife and dog, when we get a house with room, as you can pick them up cheapish. We are both only 9 stone so the mirror would be ok for us, and had brilliant days summer before last in one with picnic etc. A wayfarer would be good too, but they are big and heavy, which isn't needed if you don't go far and pick the weather, and quite expensive too. A class with a failing racing scene will be cheaper.

I am not familiar with the many new dinghy classes though. Doesn't the yachts and yachting site have a description of most dinghy classes? Presumably there are different old favourites in France if you are buying there too.

Good luck, and just get something, take it easy and have fun!

 

[Lakesailor]

Have a look at Dinghy Database or Dinghy Racing

 

[wooslehunter]

Sound as though you're after a dinghy to cruise around in rather that a high speed asymetrical swimming plank so some good advice above.

It's always a good idea to join a club and you may get interested in some racing. Even the "plodding around the bay" type dinghys get raced so take a look at what the local clubs have. That way you'll have someone to race against even if it's more of a timed cruise. Clubs are always a good bet to buy a boat as well since there's always a few for sale on the notice board.

 

[BlueChip]

Mirror dinghies sell all the time on eBay - going rate is about £400
You couldn't get much more fun for your money than that!

 

[andyroo]

I learnt to sail in a mirror dinghy they are excellent fun and cheap. Would highly recommend you try before you buy though. Word of warning though, if you are used to windsurfing, a mirror will feel terribly slow.

Somthing a bit quicker than a mirror might be a wayfarer, these are a good family day sailer.

If you want something a little faster than both of these, why not go for a 505 or 420. There are dozens for sale and they are built well and relatively cheap. They will give you a bit more speed and usually come with either a twin or single trapeze.

Good luck!

Andrew

 

[LeonF]

Although I have a cruiser now I sailed dinghies for some 10 years before my first cruiser. What is your budget....a mirror is ok for young people but certainly not a boat I would suggest for 2 adults and a dog. The 420 and 505 are also racing machines with lots of string and a lowish boom .
A Wayfarer would be very good but they are not cheap for a decent one, the wanderer possibly.
If you are looking for something to play around on and day sail and picnic have you considered a small keelboat?? A Drascombe could be perfect or a Hawk 20 if the budget will stretch that far, both with lifting keels. You could pick up a fixed keel Flying fifteen which is a great performer with the stability that a ballast keel provides, but you need a deepwater launching spot, and wouldn't want to trail it a very long way.
Go and mooch around a few dinghy clubs.. where are you ?? Nothing like trying one out first....

 

[Strathglass]

It really depends on your budget.

In very very rough terms.

A mirror weighs about 100 lbs
An enterprise about 200 lbs
A GP14 about 300 lbs
A Wayfairer 400 lbs.

A mirror is made from light ply 6mm, has a very low boom and can be damaged quite easily on a rough beach. It can easily sailed single handed but is a bit small (10' 3" long).

The enterprise is quite a frisky boat compared to the other ones mentioned, and in a blow takes a bit of experience to sail, very nice to sail, much more room than a mirror. Only two sails(no spinny). (Wood and GRP versions are available.(13' 3" long)

The GP14 is a heavier built boat. It is much more stable than the previous two. Will need a slight mod to take an outboard.
Nice safe general purpose craft.(14') Wood and GRP available.

The wayfairer is a nice stable boat to sail but it is a bit heavier out of the water. They have been used for some long distance cruises by keen sailers. (about 15' long)

I have restricted myself to four readily available boats which are available at reasonable prices. Mirrors will be least expensive and the wayfairer (if you can find one) the most expensive.

Many other boats are available. I would avoid things like the fireball /470 etc as they are out and out racing machines.

Best of luck

Iain

 

[Neil_M]

GP14 for my money - used to race them hard years back & they could meet all your criteria being docile enough under reduced sail for pottering & even motoring. As a final thought you might want to look at local classes in France as well if that's wher you plan to sail - not much experience of these but they might be easier to maintain out there.

 

[bluedragon]

Maybe outside your budget, but a small dayboat with cuddy and ballasted centre plate would give you lots of exploring possibilities with limited risk of capsize and somewhere to keep your stuff dry. On some you can even camp overnight. I'm thinking of Drascombes, Bass Boats, smaller Cornish Crabber boats, etc. If this suits, I'm sure there are some others to consider as well.

 

[benitez]

Thanks a lot everyone. Sort of tending towards the Wanderer, but we'll see.

 

[LeonF]

Then read Margaret Dyes' book Dinghy Cruising, as she bought one and sailed it single handed when she no longer sailed with her husband.