Camping Dinghies

[Romeo]

This is the boat that I camp / cruise. She manages to combine all the disadvantages of a dinghy with all the disadvantages of a cruiser, but I would not have it any other way. I do meet a lot of folk, as people always come and speak to me about the boat and what I am up to.

 

[Sandgrounder]

I generally prefer without lid. I'm not little and I dislike confined spaces. Somehow the smallness of canvas tents disconcerts me less than a fixed cabin.
AS for the shilling I have seen one with a lid and it was lovely but my preference is for low maintenance and a Shilling would not be that!

 

[Sandgrounder]

For a well thought out boat in the class that you are looking at you should also consider the Bay Raider 17. Never sailed one but they always seem to get good reviews. Has the advantage of being self draining and using water ballast which reduces weight when ashore: http://www.swallowboats.com/bayraider-17

Good idea; I will have a look.

 

[Sandgrounder]

This is the boat that I camp / cruise. She manages to combine all the disadvantages of a dinghy with all the disadvantages of a cruiser, but I would not have it any other way. I do meet a lot of folk, as people always come and speak to me about the boat and what I am up to.

Looks gorgeous; what is she? It looks very similar to a Matelot which was a ballasted 18 ft double ender the moulds for which were kicking around SW Scotland about 20 years ago

 

[Romeo]

Looks gorgeous; what is she? It looks very similar to a Matelot which was a ballasted 18 ft double ender the moulds for which were kicking around SW Scotland about 20 years ago

She is larch on oak. Double ender built by Millers of St Monans in 1935...... and currently needing to get in the water again ASAP (so not the sort of thing you want if you are needing to avoid maintenance).

 

[Lakesailor]

For a well thought out boat in the class that you are looking at you should also consider the Bay Raider 17. Never sailed one but they always seem to get good reviews. Has the advantage of being self draining and using water ballast which reduces weight when ashore: http://www.swallowboats.com/bayraider-17

Being a SwallowBoats design it is, like the Shilling, a wood epoxy construction. As Sandgrounder leaves his boat on a mooring most of the year and everything is freshwater here, it may be storing up maintenance issues.

 

[Lakesailor]

I saw that the option was available...though for his purpose, isn't the 'lidded' Shilling most suitable? Isn't small size the appeal of designs that have been called dinghies, here?

Self-righting and at over half a tonne, she's a day-boat if she needs a tent for overnighting, a cruiser if she has a lid. Enviably pretty but not a dinghy, however uncomfortable!

He answers your point.

I generally prefer without lid. I'm not little and I dislike confined spaces. Somehow the smallness of canvas tents disconcerts me less than a fixed cabin.
AS for the shilling I have seen one with a lid and it was lovely but my preference is for low maintenance and a Shilling would not be that!

 

[Greenheart]

He answers your point.

Thanks Lakey, I realised that before I got to your post pointing it out!

Sorry, terrible bad mood this morning...arranging holidays around various females who keep changing their minds. :livid:

I'm glad if people who could have cabins, prefer canvas. Brings a lighthearted informality and cheerful hardiness to what is often a restlessly breezy way to spend a night.

 

[IJL]

For a well thought out boat in the class that you are looking at you should also consider the Bay Raider 17. Never sailed one but they always seem to get good reviews. Has the advantage of being self draining and using water ballast which reduces weight when ashore: http://www.swallowboats.com/bayraider-17

I have a Bayraider 20 which would fit the bill, water ballasted so light for towing, can be rigged in 20mins, mine has a big sprayhood and with a boom tent plenty of room for camping. It can be launched and recovered solo with no effort. Being light it can be launched from the trailer with the hubs well clear of the water which saves on maintance issues. As far as i know the 17 is the same apart from being a little smaller. The 20 is available in either wood/epoxy or GRP the wood boat being a bit lighter

 

[Kermit]

I've always had a soft spot for the Westerly Nimrod.

Nice big cockpit and a cuddy like cabin for overnighting.

What about a self draining Wayfarer if you want to leave an open boat on a mooring?

I've done lots of Wayfarer cruising and you'd be hard pushed to find a better cruising dinghy.

 

[Greenheart]

I've always had a soft spot for the Westerly Nimrod. Nice big cockpit and a cuddy like cabin for overnighting.

+1! To my mind, easily the most appealing of the really little boats. Pity they're almost all at least 40 years old now, and usually still around £2,000. That's why I've got a dinghy.

 

[Sandgrounder]

+1! To my mind, easily the most appealing of the really little boats. Pity they're almost all at least 40 years old now, and usually still around £2,000. That's why I've got a dinghy.

I hadn't given them a thought for probably twenty years: impressive bit of film.

What you are failing to understand, notwithstanding all your helpful suggestions, is that I want a boat without a lid. It's not something to be put up with if needs be; I like the idea of sleeping under canvass while afloat in a heavy open boat!

 

[Kermit]

Then a Wayfarer with a boom up tent should be ideal. Apart from the fact they're not that heavy, although try and pull one up a slipway on your own and you may change your opinion. Plenty of stowage room and decent performance to boot.

I've spent many a night either afloat, or more often aground (deliberately ) under canvas in one.

With a proper boom up tent, with upright sides rather than simply a canvas cover from gunwhale to boom to gunwhale, and there's plenty of space.

Decent sea keeping and there's no other dinghy I'd rather be in if the weather turns when you're a few miles offshore.

 

[Greenheart]

I like the idea of sleeping under canvas while afloat in a heavy open boat!

Aha. Sorry to be slow on the uptake, or just easily distracted.

If heaviness is an advantage in your view, a Wayfarer is The One. Some pretty impressive tents available for it, too:

View attachment 42715

I work steadily (not very) towards making my lighter, less beamy boat as comfy as a Wayfarer. Of course, I'll leave Wayfs, Shrimpers and Nimrods for dead once we're sailing.

 

[Sandgrounder]

Dan,

Of course you'll leave for dead when the conditions suit you but when it gets a bit difficult they will win through while you are stuck ashore. It's all about horses for courses and personal taste.
I find Wayfarers impressive; I spent a lot of time in them as a child so I know a little of what they can do but I don't like going back. If you could get a grp Mirror 16 that would be just the job - almost as good as a Dockrell

 

[Kelpie]

What about a self draining Wayfarer if you want to leave an open boat on a mooring?

I've done lots of Wayfarer cruising and you'd be hard pushed to find a better cruising dinghy.

What a great suggestion. Especially as I have such a boat for sale!

Edit- no not the one in my signature...

 

[Greenheart]

...you'll leave for dead when the conditions suit you but when it gets a bit difficult they will win through while you are stuck ashore.

Just as you say; although by the time it's that rough, it's unlikely I'd want to be out in any open boat.

Mirror 16...a boat I don't know. Big sail plan according to Wikipedia: Main 123 sq ft, Genoa 55 sq ft, only 260lbs...looks nice. Apparently only a few dozen out of 600 built, survive.

View attachment 42716

 

[JumbleDuck]

What you are failing to understand, notwithstanding all your helpful suggestions, is that I want a boat without a lid. It's not something to be put up with if needs be; I like the idea of sleeping under canvass while afloat in a heavy open boat!

What about a Squib? Heavy, open and designed by Oliver Lee. What's not to like?

 

[Kermit]

What about a Squib? Heavy, open and designed by Oliver Lee. What's not to like?

Or there's a nice Scimitar on ebay at the moment for £1,250. I thought that it would make a good cruising day boat, but not the best to take the ground with very easily

 

[Sandgrounder]

What about a Squib? Heavy, open and designed by Oliver Lee. What's not to like?

I was wondering about that myself. I have never sailed one so I only know of their reputation.
Could one be used for camping easily enough or would it require major alterations?