Gull Mk3

[alant]

Anyone got comments on these sailing dinghies.

Also, at 88kg, can they be car topped?

 

[Lakesailor]

Never sailed one, but I would be surprised if you could car-top them successfully.
Whilst 88Kg isn't a huge weight for two people, dinghies are bloody awkward things to grab hold of.
My Solo is supposed to be 70 KGs but is probably more.
I wouldn't want to get it onto a car roof, then off again, then carry to the water etc. etc.

There used to be a nifty thing you bolted to your roof rails that slid along so you could lower the dingy transom to the ground and then lift it away from the car. Saves all the scratches and dents in the roof. Something similar here

Or go the whole hog and get one of these (awful music warning)

​

 

[alant]

Never sailed one, but I would be surprised if you could car-top them successfully.
Whilst 88Kg isn't a huge weight for two people, dinghies are bloody awkward things to grab hold of.
My Solo is supposed to be 70 KGs but is probably more.
I wouldn't want to get it onto a car roof, then off again, then carry to the water etc. etc.

There used to be a nifty thing you bolted to your roof rails that slid along so you could lower the dingy transom to the ground and then lift it away from the car. Saves all the scratches and dents in the roof.

Or go the whole hog and get one of these (awful music warning)

​

Just want to transport it once to home, not a regular thing.

 

[Lakesailor]

3 strong blokes and lots of carpet to lay on the edges of your roof whilst loading.

You'll curse if you don't, and scratch the car.

Most cars should cope with a load like that.

 

[VicS]

Personally I would not want to load an 88kg dinghy onto a car roof.

If you do check that the roof and the rails can take that weight.

However the loader thats available in the UK is the Easi Loader

I have seen one of my former colleagues ( a really vertically challenged guy) load a mirror very easily with one.

 

[ex-Gladys]

Most car manufacturers don't approve roof loads over 50kg....

 

[alant]

Anyone got comments on these sailing dinghies.

Also, at 88kg, can they be car topped?

OK got lots of replies re roof rack, but has anyone sailed a Gull?

 

[Seajet]

Haven't sailed one personally, but a few weeks ago there was one in company with another similar sized dinghy in Chichester Harbour, both being singlehanded by blokes dinghy cruising and seeming to be having a great time.

Maybe the Dinghy Cruising Association could put you onto someone ?

 

[Kelpie]

There's a reasonably active class association, with forum etc. SWMBO was going to buy one but has ended up with a Graduate instead.

 

[ex-Gladys]

Yeah, I used to sail (1960's) a Mk 1 Gunter wooden gull. Nice little boat, the mk3 bit has just updated it a bit

 

[ianat182]

Even if you do decide to cartop your Gull you'll have to figure how the bermudan mast will be secured safely ahead and behind the car. I've seen a side loading roof rack with arms,where the dinghy is loaded by tilting on its side and slides onto the lateral bars of the rack without touching the car,the dinghy I saw being loaded this way was a Mirror which I think is about 105-110lbs,so I think 194lb would be pushing your luck somewhat.


ianat182

 

[ningcompoop]

I've got a Gull Mk3 - it's not the fastest boat on the water, but stable, easy to sail single-handed or will take 3, perhaps even 4 adults. There is a class association still going, although I don't know how active it is: http://www.gullclassassociation.co.uk/home

-there's also a really good, helpful active forum: http://gulldinghy.proboards.com/index.cgi

- you'll need to register to access it.

The forum also has an excellent archive on their old site at www.go-sail.co.uk but at the mo. this site seems to be down (was OK 2 days ago) (this is why the forum recently moved!)

Hope this helps.

John

 

[alant]

I've got a Gull Mk3 - it's not the fastest boat on the water, but stable, easy to sail single-handed or will take 3, perhaps even 4 adults. There is a class association still going, although I don't know how active it is: http://www.gullclassassociation.co.uk/home

-there's also a really good, helpful active forum: http://gulldinghy.proboards.com/index.cgi

- you'll need to register to access it.

The forum also has an excellent archive on their old site at www.go-sail.co.uk but at the mo. this site seems to be down (was OK 2 days ago) (this is why the forum recently moved!)

Hope this helps.

John

Thanks, I've registered, but had difficulty logging-in.

Is your Gull, round bilge or chine?
Have been told round bilge quite 'tippy', which may not be best for takig grandchildren out, but haven't been able to confirm either by 'hands-on' or from an owner.