best dinghy for cruising on my local lake?

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pcatterall

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Just joined my local sailing club.
I joined partly to test out my yacht tender ( a Tinker Traveller)
I am considering getting another dinghy to keep at the club and seek your advice.
My main aim is just to cruise around in a leisurely well, lazy really, fashion.

I would like a boom that clears my head (when sat on a cushion !!), space for 1 or 2 passengers to sit ( lol about) in comfort,
A place for my thermos or picnic stove, not tippy uppy. I think you will get the picture?

Any suggestions?
 
Wayfarer, GP14, Enterprise all good boats for faffing about in. I like the Wayfarer because it's big and roomy. All dinghies will have boom / head height issues unless you are a dwarf or reclining.
 
There is a whole host of "pottering" small boats if there are no restrictions on class. Find out what is for sale locally as it is not worth travelling too far for low value boats like this.
 
It's usually a good idea to get whatever is the most popular boat in the club. 2 reasons...

1) More fun once you *inevitably* get emotionally blackmailed into taking part in the racing (which you will actually enjoy).
2) Easier to sell when you're done with it.

So what are the common types and/or named fleets in the club?

The list of types that would suit your needs is pretty endless, though agree with blowingoldboots that you'll be lucky to find something that will clear your head without ducking. To name a few common types of relatively easily handled 1/2 person boats that can handle an occasional extra passenger, Wanderer*, GP14, Gull, Enterprise, Miracle, Graduate. Wayfarer a little big IMHO if you plan to single hand regularly. All these boats have some kind of stowage area. Most Wanderers were built with water tight and large aft lockers.

Unless you are going out in very gentle winds people lolling about and cushions may not be too practical... most lakes have odd wind patterns and you are the ballast and you will be moving a lot to adjust and sitting in some odd positions. If that's not what you want you're more in day sailor territory, but many clubs have restrictions on heavier larger boats like that to avoid conflict with the other end of the spectrum like Toppers and Mirrors. Some Wanderers were built with optional steel centreplates which might get you a little closer.

I reckon get yourself something as small as possible to make launching/recovery less of a task and make you more likely to make the effort. Gull Spirit should be ideal. You'll be having too much fun to worry about boom height and cushions :). Also join in the racing - it's normal for people to need convincing but they usually get hooked quickly. If you aren't too bothered about the passengers then take a look at the Streaker.

*This is probably obvious but I own a Wanderer MD, though I've sailed all of the above as well.
 
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My favourite pottering boat I've tried on holidays (Neilson) is a small cat: in light winds one can snooze on the trampoline while steering with the toes, while in higher winds it will get up and go.
 
Our son got himself and his family an old Enterprise for £200. I'm not sure, but I think he got the trailer as well. There are plenty of bargains out there.
 
Wooden or Plastic?
Is racing ever a possibility? If not a drascombe type shape might work well.
How big a puddle?
Anywhere to go? Can you anchor?
 
Fantasie 19 said:
Nah - don't buy a dinghy - what you want is a Leisure 17/Hurley 18/Fantasie 19/Seawich or similar.. think "Wayfarer with a lid"... that way cups of tea can be taken in comfort when raining... :)
Click to expand...

Or maybe you should consider a horse and trap. But assuming you actually do want a dinghy, and have zero interest in performance then a Skipper 14 has an absurdly high boom, is voluminous and, unlike a GP14 or Wayfarer, can be launched/ recovered single handed. I wouldn't be seen dead in one but each to their own.

https://www.google.fr/search?q=skip...=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8#imgrc=QN9dm3p6CVJvbM:
 
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Quiddle said:
Or maybe you should consider a horse and trap. But assuming you actually do want a dinghy, and have zero interest in performance then a Skipper 14 has an absurdly high boom, is voluminous and, unlike a GP14 or Wayfarer, can be launched/ recovered single handed. I wouldn't be seen dead in one but each to their own.

https://www.google.fr/search?q=skip...=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8#imgrc=QN9dm3p6CVJvbM:
Click to expand...

I'll be amazed if there are any of these left in safe condition. I did some repairs on one a year or two ago - damaged under it's own weight on the trolley due to the awful and old chop gun layup. I repaired it for the practice but was glad when the owner decided not to risk launching it. I suspect my repair, if i got it right of course, was the only semi-decent bit of laminate in it.

Not actually being critical of the boats - but from what I saw they were built to a price with a limited lifespan - and in this example that lifespan had truly expired! Pigmented and nasty resin throughout, far too much resin not enough glass, brittle.
 
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