Day sailing... (100% boaty)

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Sybarite

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With an impending move to Brittany beside the sea, I would like to have a little boat for pottering. I don't know whether I can get a mooring in the harbour and so may have to launch each time on a slipway. Ideally I would like a boat which is :
1) stable - I'm not as agile as I used to be.
2) capable of taking the family.
3) sea-worthy and capable of going 5-10 miles offshore to visit the islands.
4) rugged so that I can let friends use it and not be too worried if they touch the bottom.
5) fun to sail but I don't want a hi-tech racing thing - objective is pottering.
6) a traditional look would be nice but not obligatory.
7) a small investment. (Max probably about £ 1500 - £2000 second hand)

As far as UK boats are concerned a Wayfarer or a Snipe would appear to meet the criteria. In France : Skellig, Déclic, Ludic, Virusplus trimaran, Caravelle or Cruz. (You can google them if you like).

Are there any obvious ones I'm missing? Thanks.

John
 
Re: Day sailing...

I had thought of them but I think that they are a bit expensive for what I am looking for and maybe a bit heavy if I have to launch each time.

Thanks though for the suggestion.

John
 
Re: Day sailing...

My first thought was a Drascombe. Another possibility is a Wayfarer. Traditional looks and ease of launching are hard to combine. Enough seaworthiness for 5-10M offshore is also hard to combine with easy launching.
 
Re: Day sailing...

The ruggedness bit of the description sounds like my old school's boat, the Devon Yawl with the steel centre plate. Too heavy and expensive otherwise.
 
John I had a wayfarer and no 1 son and I sailed it and slept in it on mudbanks all over Essex! Uncomfortable but do-able. If I wanted to improve it as a safe day sailer I would swap the centreboard for a steel or bronze plate. I believe that's what that mad chap did with his when he sailed it to Iceland and is a pretty normal change now for cruising wayfarers. I would also consider a small canvas spray valance at the front of the cockpit.
 
Re: Day sailing... (100% boaty)

Ooh er! I googled for the declic and the first return was for an escort agency! If anyone else is searching from a work internewt connection, you'll want to add "+ bateau"! Do I have to go to the Lounge now?
 
Thanks John. A problem I see is that there are not many in France and so I would have to factor in the cost of going to look at them there and then bringing it back. It is however high on the list.

John
 
Re: Day sailing...

Yes, Drascombes can seem a bit expensive new but they hold their value unusually well. They are so popular you have to be very quick off your marks to secure a second-hand one.

As to weight, they are well-balanced and can float in not much more than wet grass so launching and recovering, particularly from a break-back trailer, is simple. The spars are small enough to be handled by one person. Many folk manage them alone - even the 21' versions. I'm aware of one amputee who does it, literally, single-handed.
 
I think the Snipe would be very heavy to launch, although I do like their look. Wayfarers are expensive but ideal.

But if you want something rugged and reasonably prices what about the GP14? Loads of oldish ones around.

In fact a friend of mine has an old GRP version on a new combi trailer that he hasnt used for years, I dont know but he would poss sell if asked.

I more or less learned to sail in a GP and have always rated them as a good all rounder.

Regds Nick
 
Re: Day sailing... (100% boaty)

Probably worth having a chat with the Dinghy Cruising Association, they should have a few ideas.

Contact is Ted Jones on 01279 652581
 
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