Dinghy Advice - Varuna 501

[JoeF]

Hello,

Not sure which forum to post this in. I have seen a Varuna 501 dinghy for sale and it looks a good boat, just the sort of thing I'm after. Has anyone any experience of or advice about these boats?

Thank you in advance.

Joe.

 

[aluijten]

If memory serves me right, I had my virgin sail course in one of those. Quite a heavy type of dingy, not fast but reliable. Old design with iron swing-keel.
Here you can see them in action:
http://www.amfibietreks.nl/html/zeilvakanties.htm

Arno

 

[JoeF]

Thanks Arno,

I went to see it and it seems a very safe, sea-worthy boat. Ideal for hopping around the coast. I can't seem to find any info about it on the internet, all-though my Dutch is non-existant. I am particullary wondering how boyant it is. It has a GRP double skin but I am unsure if this is sufficent to keep it afloat in the event of a capsize.

 

[aluijten]

It has been a while, but if I remember correct there were flotation blocks (pieces of foam) in the hollow side cavities. I don't think they can sink, even if they capsize (which a few of us did during the course). I do remember the steel fin (swingkeel) was sometimes reluctant to stay down.
As you say very sturdy boats, although, I'm not sure if you should take them on the open sea. After all these are open boats. To me even coastal hopping would be a bit too much. But great fun on sheltered waters (like Chichester Harbour) or so

 

[lisaby]

Has anyone ever heard of the Dutcvh Varuna class?

Around 2006, I bought a 4 m. GRP double skinned centerboard sloop through e-Bay. Her construction must date from the 1980's. Her next to last owners before me were Dutch. The original sails were by a Dutch sail maker. When I inquired of him about the boat, with its four-pointed star emblem on her mainsail and on her foredeck, he opined that she was of the Varuna class.

In over 65 years of sailing, I've never enjoyed a sailboat as much as her.

I had been unable to learn anything about the Varuna class, until I googled onto this thread which is about a 5 m. Varuna.

If anyone knows something about the class, I would greatly appreciate learning about it.