Downsizing to a dinghy

Seajet said:
I'd think you need a look at one and ideally a sail; the class association looks very switched on, I expect they might connect you with someone who can offer a go.

Thinking of the older boats especially, they're quite heavy for the size, which is why I think one might suit; I agree gunter rig makes sense for this sort of boat.
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I shall investigate, but if I get a wet arse, there will be nowhere deep enough or dark enough for you to hide mister!:D:D
 
Chrusty 1 said:
My mates trousers were a bit brown on the inside too, he wasn't dressed for the occasion really, mob phone in pocket along with wallet etc. He would not have been best pleased if he had got dunked!

I had a look at the Heron, I like the Gunter Rig! I am just wondering if 11 foot is enough boat? Bloke did a nice job on this one though.

http://www.heron-dinghy.org.uk/index.php/photo-gallery.html
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Didn't he just. Makes mine look a bit pedestrian. However even mine was too nice to bash on rocks and beaches. Just find a sound one that''ll take a bit of paint and varnish and get out there. (replace tiller first as they have a habit of snapping!!

HeronVarnish01.jpg



Heron_14.jpg
 
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I can see I'm going to have to buy a Mirror next time I'm in the UK and then worry about how to carry it back to Italy with me!

I did see one advertised for sale here, for €1800! There is also a fleet of slightly modified Mirrors on the Adriatic, called the "Caprerino" they have a pointy bow because the italians thought the snubby classic one too unstylish.

So no Mirrors for sale here (not at a reasonable price anyway)! The closest I suppose would be a Alpa Brise (one here http://www.subito.it/nautica/alpa-brise-roma-43616122.htm for €1200) or a Vaurien, which is similar in concept to the Mirror, being designed for financial accessibility and having it's own class and what not. It's a lot bigger - 4.1m (about 13 and a half ') so on the big side of what can be hauled onto a van roof.

Both Brise and Vaurien have bermuda rigs, which is a pity because I like the idea of the gunter rig.

The van will be equipped with a roller at one end and a winch at the other so all I'll have to do is clip the winch onto the painter eye and turn the handle!

Someone's going to ask why I want to put it on the roof and not tow it. In Italy, a trailer needs to be registered and MOT'd as if it were a car. A typical British combi trailer wouldn't get approval. I'd have to buy a trailer here, new or used, that was already approved. Alternatively you can have a small trailer added to the registration document of your car so that it becomes a "trolley appendage"; it needs to have a chassis number which is added to the "notes" section of the car's reggie doc. You can only use that trailer and no other with that car and no other then. After you've got the paperwork sorted out, you then have to consider the new speed limit of your car/trailer 70 km/h on normal roads or 80 on Autostrade. Not that the van (a 1976 Mercedes 206D) can go that much faster!
 
Lakesailor said:
Didn't he just. Makes mine look a bit pedestrian. However even mine was too nice to bash on rocks and beaches. Just find a sound one that''ll take a bit of paint and varnish and get out there. (replace tiller first as they have a habit of snapping!!

HeronVarnish01.jpg
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You made a nice job of that one Phil! I see there are couple of cheapies on Apollo Duck at the moment, I will keep looking, there might be something local to me for sale? It's a nice looking little craft I have to say. I do like the Gunter Rig, it makes towing so much easier, if it's all inside the boat, and I like the idea of wooden spars. The other advantage is that one of those would easily go in my garage, for titivating etc.

I just noticed your second photo, did yours come with that mainsail, with the full length top batten?
 
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Yes. I think they are called tension battens. You have to have them to hold out the roach.

Wooden Herons can be rotten to death. Check the centre-board to hog and the ply panels on the bottom towards the stern. Oh and where they meet the stem. In fact, everywhere.
You need to find one that hasn't been stored outside, basically. The rain water inside them is what kills them.
 
Lakesailor said:
Yes. I think they are called tension battens. You have to have them to hold out the roach.

Wooden Herons can be rotten to death. Check the centre-board to hog and the ply panels on the bottom towards the stern. Oh and where they meet the stem. In fact, everywhere.
You need to find one that hasn't been stored outside, basically. The rain water inside them is what kills them.
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Rainwater kills most wooden boats if it's left in 'em. But thanks for the tips. I aint in any rush, but if I spotted a nice one (structurally good that is), I might well give it a go.
 
Here's mine, I can put it on the car myself.

14'

Outboard.

Can paddle it at 4 knots on my own.

Fun to sail.

I stay dry.

But, takes a bit to put it together.
 
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