Dinghy for cruising

[B27]

There are many dinghies available.
Personally I would suggest from having sailed in Chi Harbour, there is a lot of tide, you will be going against it at times, so there is an advantage in a faster boat. More so in light winds!
I'd also suggest sticking to conventional bermudan rig, avoid any retro/brown-sails/gaffer stuff unless you really really want that. Because 2/3 of your time you might be going up wind, and the ordinary dinghy rig is best for that, in general.

A Mirror is a fine boat for two kids or one kid one adult, but for two adults it is small and cramped.
I hesitate to recommend any particular boat.
Because there are dozens of classes/designs to choose from.
A lot of cheap boats are quite old, so choose carefully on condition vs price vs work needed.
Also, some boats are more likely to tip beginners in the water than others.


There is the Andrew Simpson place on the Eastern Road in Portsmouth, they might do some 'have go days'?

 

[PeterV]

Also don’t underestimate the big difference a reef in the mainsail can make to stability and comfort, even on dinghies which wouldn’t normally be used for cruising. I had a Lark, tippy, high performance and I raced it a lot. But I also had a reef put in an older mainsail. I could the sail the boat by myself for long day sails in quite strong winds, even lowering the sail to tie in the reef and re hoist it whilst at sea. I have also previously sailed 50 mile coastal passages in a Finn, changing down to an OK sail when the wind got up and I know several people who are really enjoying Classic International 14s, sailing them with their families using National 12 or Firefly masts and sails.

 

[doug748]

Thanks all very sensible, it's so interesting and obvious really that sailing means different things to different people.

We're not going to rush and buy some expensive boat right now, and considering it's possible to get hold of a Mirror for a few hundred quid, I think we'll do that and get some more training and go from there! Unless people think there are other cheap alternatives to a Mirror? My only concern about the Mirror is that it will feel small and tippy for my other half?

Thanks

I mentioned the Mirror because they are easy to buy and sell plus they were designed to sail, row or motor so all bases are covered. The rig is also easy and spars small. I am no Mirror diehard though and there are others that would be equally good, particularly in GRP - you do tend to end up patching neglected Mirrors.

As to size, if you are both 6ft and 14 stone then probably no. However you may well both come in at average size or under, it's still a small boat but would be perfectly usable for what you want. They are very stable for their size, some options mentioned, like the Enterprise, I would say are totally unsuitable for the task.

.

 

[mattpitts74]

I mentioned the Mirror because they are easy to buy and sell plus they were designed to sail, row or motor so all bases are covered. The rig is also easy and spars small. I am no Mirror diehard though and there are others that would be equally good, particularly in GRP - you do tend to end up patching neglected Mirrors.

As to size, if you are both 6ft and 14 stone then probably no. However you may well both come in at average size or under, it's still a small boat but would be perfectly usable for what you want. They are very stable for their size, some options mentioned, like the Enterprise, I would say are totally unsuitable for the task.

.

Thanks, Doug, they had been my thoughts exactly, we are both 5.6 tall and 10-11 stone. I guess I need to get the other half to try a Mirror in Chichester and see how she feels. But knowing her, I'm sure she'll feel happier in something like a Wayfarer!!

 

[dunedin]

As to size, if you are both 6ft and 14 stone then probably no. However you may well both come in at average size or under, it's still a small boat but would be perfectly usable for what you want. They are very stable for their size, some options mentioned, like the Enterprise, I would say are totally unsuitable for the task.

Actually the Enterprise has a similar hull shape to a Wafarer and could be a good option, as lots around. Lots of space inside, heavy enough to be reassuring but not too heavy to easily launch from a trolley, even solo.
The issue with the Enterprise for cruising is the large sail area relative to size. When first introduced, they also had cruising sails, with a cut down mainsail and smaller jib. Doubt there are any cruising sails still around (most were probably cotton!), but either getting a sailmaker to put a reef in or the cheaper option, buying some sails for a slightly smaller boat on eBay could give a solution.

 

[doug748]

Enterprise for a novice with a nervous partner. Not for me too tippy, without sails

 

[FairweatherDave]

Thanks, Doug, they had been my thoughts exactly, we are both 5.6 tall and 10-11 stone. I guess I need to get the other half to try a Mirror in Chichester and see how she feels. But knowing her, I'm sure she'll feel happier in something like a Wayfarer!!

If you think she will feel happier in a Wayfarer go safe and go for something bigger than a Mirror. Feeling safe and building positive experiences is the secret to sailing together. Flogging jib sheets and a tippy boat doesn't go down well over my way!

 

[ylop]

And as a Chichester based sailor I would disagree with ylop about camping ashore. Unless you return to where you started to trail your boat to the campsite each night.

I should say I don't know Chichester well enough to know what the options are - and live in the part of the UK where dinghy sailors and sea kayakers can camp almost anywhere they can get comfortably ashore. My point was really that if you don't plan to camp afloat that often, pick the boat to suit the 98% of its use. My experience of sleeping on an open dinghy is everything is damp, everything is cramped, two people need to really get on (but probably forget any change or getting it on!)..

 

[mattpitts74]

So narrowing down to a Wayfarer, a few questions:

1. GRP or wood?
2. How do they row?
3. What size outboard is best suited?
4. Do people use them on rivers? I've never really looked.

 

[ylop]

So narrowing down to a Wayfarer, a few questions:

1. GRP or wood?

This is a simple question. Do you like sailing or do you like repairing!

1. How do they row?

They row OK actually, but you may need to add rowlocks and all dinghies need the right sized oars. They'll be longer than you'd like to store but there's enough people cruising them to have found solutions / the right balance etc. You may want to think about what to do with the boom whilst rowing. Again this will be a well solved problem - topping lift v's remove and put on floor. I only sailed them with aft mainsheets but I think modern ones are centre main rigged - check its not where you want to sit - that would be tolerable from beach to mooring but not for miles!

1. What size outboard is best suited?

Size of O/B is measured both in terms of HP and shaft length. The Shaft length question is determined by your mounting arrangement. I doubt anything more than ~ 3.5HP would be useful, many people would cope with 2HP. Then you need to think about 2str v's 4str. A 2 str may have advantages for this application, but aren't available new to the public anymore. If funds allow an electric might be a serious consideration for peace, weight, etc.

1. Do people use them on rivers? I've never really looked.

Certainly. If you are planning to get shallow - think about protecting the keel from rocks etc.

 

[Kelpie]

My first W was a composite- ply deck on a grp hull. And it was the former World's winner, so not a slow boat.
Looked beautiful. I naively thought it would be very low maintenance. Hahaha.

 

[FairweatherDave]

So narrowing down to a Wayfarer, a few questions:

1. GRP or wood?
2. How do they row?
3. What size outboard is best suited?
4. Do people use them on rivers? I've never really looked.

One reason a Wayfarer is recommended is that there are lots out there, "relatively" cheap....same as there are lots of Mirrors. But there are others inbetween. With a Wayfarer you do have a chance of getting it right first time as it is a good one for sleeping overnight. Full length. I'd strongly advocare grp and avoid wood for ease of maintenance. MK 1 have more sleeping space under the thwart but I could sleep under the thwart in our MK 2. Don't know about all the later wayfarers but then the price goes up all the way to a small fortune. Old wayfarers can be around £800 but you need to factor in the price of a good road worthy trailer (or simply join a club and sail it from there). (look on Apollo Duck)
You need LONG oars to enjoy rowing a W, - some cruisers mount an outboard on the back but really they sail very well and you should be able to leave the outboard at home. a 2-3.5hp or electric outboard equivalent (something with a neutral gear is nice).
Rivers, Norfolk broads all good. Overhanging trees and bridges beware....

 

[FairweatherDave]

You may be interested in googling Cody sailing club, definitely dinghy cruising not racing. Some overlap with the DCA.

 

[ghostlymoron2]

I wonder how many on this forum have sailed a Leisure 17, they seem to be mentioned in a remarkable number of threads.
Ours was a fairly early one 1969 we collected it from the Nissen hut on Stanstead airport that was the Cobramold factory at the time.

Our first boat was a L17 and we had some great times on it. Even when kept in by inclement weather, we were snug and comfortable. Its not the kind of boat that can be towed, rigged, sailed and towed home in a day but it is cheap, safe, fun and seaworthy. We sailed quite happily in up to F5 but kept it on a summer drying mooring and stored in the garden during winter.

 

[Greenheart]

I didn't launch my Osprey dinghy after I bought a yacht. Two years after selling the yacht, I still haven't relaunched the Osprey.

I love that boat, but it's now too much effort. I managed for six years because I was obsessed with stories about the Osprey being a thrill to singlehand, and it lived up to that; but it's also heavy on the physical requirement, even when you have a keen other-half to help.

Don't kid yourself it's no bother moving a big dinghy like a Wayfarer or mk2 Osprey (they're very similar) on shore, unless you use a vehicle to do all the work. I know I'd now be likely to injure myself. Plus, capsizing a big boat is an ordeal, especially with cruising kit; and Wayfarers do capsize.

Having owned a yacht too (albeit a cramped, 50-year-old design from an era when any cabin was thought lavish) I would prefer never to return to the instability, effort and exposure of dinghy cruising; and I don't race, so perhaps I should never think of dinghies anymore. But I objected so much to the cost of berthing my small yacht (five times what the Osprey costs to keep at a good club), I am now thinking about dinghy cruising again.

It isn't exclusively a financial question. For practicality, I'm looking at the little Mirror as a very versatile, quite cute and above all, manageable boat. It isn't as brisk as all the bum-wetting una-rigged singlehanders, but its modest performance and boxy form make it much better for cruising in fine weather; and no dinghy is nice for cruising in lousy weather. A Mirror will take my outboard, I can build dry-lockers into the woodwork, it can be reefed effectively, rowed rewardingly, and there's a chap at Chichester who regularly sleeps aboard his, after significant passages...

But, if you're really set on getting a big dinghy, you can have mine. Not kidding at all, you can take it. You'll only need a trailer.

 

[slawosz]

I would look at Hunter Europa. Fast pocket cruiser with dinghy agility.

 

[B27]

You may be interested in googling Cody sailing club, definitely dinghy cruising not racing. Some overlap with the DCA.

That's an interesting alternative to joining a 'local' or 'bricks and mortar' club.
I briefly worked for a company which had a sailing branch of its social club.
One weekend chartering a Sunsail boat, next weekend might be windsurf lessons.

 

[Refueler]

That's an interesting alternative to joining a 'local' or 'bricks and mortar' club.
I briefly worked for a company which had a sailing branch of its social club.
One weekend chartering a Sunsail boat, next weekend might be windsurf lessons.

My oldest son - being a Manager in JLP ... had access to the 'fleet' of boats that John Lewis Partnership maintained ... think they were Sigma or Nicholson 36's ... probably long gone now ...

 

[Grith]

If you are genuinely looking to multi day cruise with your partner not just day sail then I definitely recommend a small trailer sailer with some covered accommodation!
I started my inshore/inland waters cruising with my daughters mother many many years ago in a Hartley 16 which is small and light to tow and launch but has enough room internally for two to sleep and even cook on a portable camp stove if the weather turns horrible.
We progressed up to a 20 foot plywood Jarcat 6 catamaran which we lived on out in The Whitsundays for 5 weeks back on 2000 and extensively cruised and towed around Australia.
I now have close to the largest genuinely still trailerable yacht at 28 feet which has standing headroom internally at the galley along with an enclosed toilet/shower.
Recently retired and repartnered, my new previously non sailing partner is happy to spend weeks/months cruising in that!
The key is to concentrate on their comforts and wants over yours unless you like spending time sailing alone!

 

[Gsailor]

Actually the Enterprise has a similar hull shape to a Wafarer and could be a good option, as lots around. Lots of space inside, heavy enough to be reassuring but not too heavy to easily launch from a trolley, even solo.
The issue with the Enterprise for cruising is the large sail area relative to size. When first introduced, they also had cruising sails, with a cut down mainsail and smaller jib. Doubt there are any cruising sails still around (most were probably cotton!), but either getting a sailmaker to put a reef in or the cheaper option, buying some sails for a slightly smaller boat on eBay could give a solution.

An enterprise is MUCH more tender than a wayfarer.

So much as sneeze and an enterprise will almost capsize.

A wayfarer is far stiffer by a nautical mile.

I gave my enterprise away.