Just bought Mirror Dinghy. What to wear whilst sailing it etc...

Unless you can get the temperature up into the teens I would let it carry on drying out. Local heat won't have got all the damp out and taping painting will only lock it in. The paint won't stick so well at low temps either. You won't be sailing just yet anyway (will you?) so I would hold back on the finishing.
 
Lakesailor said:
Unless you can get the temperature up into the teens I would let it carry on drying out. Local heat won't have got all the damp out and taping painting will only lock it in. The paint won't stick so well at low temps either. You won't be sailing just yet anyway (will you?) so I would hold back on the finishing.
Click to expand...

Aye, not doing the taping quite yet. Its sitting in my Mini's centrally-heated to 17 degC and insulated garage at the moment. Theres also a de-humidifier going all the time for the Mini, so it should dry out in a week or so. I certainly wont be doing any taping before then anyway, as I have to strip all the other paint off. I do want to get it out of the garage reasonably quickly though, as Its stopping work on the Mini progressing and I have a race engine to re-build before the summer.
 
aquaplane said:
If it's been stored upside down water gets in where the gunwale meets the side deck and causes rot on the outside edge there.

It may be worth having a good look round that area if you are stripping the paint off.
Click to expand...

Aye, Ive noticed the top of the gunnel is very wet. I think I may have saved it before rot has set in though. I removed the paint in all the areas where it had cracked and admitted water. The only piece of rot on the whole boat as far as I can see so far, is the 2 small breasthook plates at the bow. The top layer of the ply was mush. Thats very easy to fix though, and I have 6mm marine ply in stock.
 
Dirdy Weeker!

Even Chance said:
Thanks for the helpful advice. Its all very much appreciated folks. Keep it coming if you dont mind.:)
Click to expand...

How you getting on with the Mirror, EC?

Just came across your posts whilst searching for Mirror cruising items.

BTW: If anyone thinks EC is a bit of a daftie, then you are right - he is :P - but he does know what he's doing when it comes to sailing.... and restoring minis....

(Northener :cool:)
 
i'd say the chances of a dip were reasonably high and the waters of northern scotland reasonably cold.

down here i'd say shorts and a t shirt would be fine with a buoyancy aid and, perhaps, neoprine boots. on the plus side, they are easy to right.

up there i think i'd wear a long sleeved jumper, long trousers, leather boots, driving gloves and a fine mesh bee keepers mask and leave the mirror lent up against an apple tree next to a vigilant gnome.

p's. gosh, just seen the date. how on earth did that happen? i see i had already dispatched some helpful advice.
 
Last edited:
I've done lots of dinghy sailing (was an RYA SI) over the years. In the 1970s I owned two Mirrors, as I could car-top them and take one with me around the country when working. to have a boat for evenings or weekends I could in those days carry one down a beach on my own (turtle style) and lift it on and off the roof rack. Couldn't do that now. I sold the first one and realised I missed it so bought another. I normally sailed faster dinghies, but still enjoyed the Mirror single-handed.

I capsized the first one deliberately to check if I could right it (yes), but never capsized one again, even singlehanded in F5 or maybe a bit more. If you are a decent dinghy sailor you shouldn't capsize one, but wear a buoyancy aid anyway. I always did, as I'm actually a lousy swimmer, which is why I prefer a boat between me and the water.
 
Even Chance said:
Just bought a Mirror Dinghy to play with during the summer months up here in North Scotland and have a wee question.

I normally sail my E-Boat, or my old classic clinker dinghy, which I just sail dressed normally, and use my auto-inflate lifejacket as usual.

Can I use the Mirror in the same clothing? I dont fancy a wetsuit, and dont plan on dunking myself in the wet stuff. I can sail well, and my reactions are quite fast. I wont be sailing in heavy wind speeds, just some pottering. Do I have to go and buy a flotation vest? The Mirror only cost me £50, and Im a proper tight ersed Scot! lol
What are my chances of capsizing the thing anyway?

Thanks for the helpful advice in advance folks, cos I know the answers are oot there.....;)
Click to expand...
Even Chance said:
Just bought a Mirror Dinghy to play with during the summer months up here in North Scotland and have a wee question.

I normally sail my E-Boat, or my old classic clinker dinghy, which I just sail dressed normally, and use my auto-inflate lifejacket as usual.

Can I use the Mirror in the same clothing? I dont fancy a wetsuit, and dont plan on dunking myself in the wet stuff. I can sail well, and my reactions are quite fast. I wont be sailing in heavy wind speeds, just some pottering. Do I have to go and buy a flotation vest? The Mirror only cost me £50, and Im a proper tight ersed Scot! lol
What are my chances of capsizing the thing anyway?

Thanks for the helpful advice in advance folks, cos I know the answers are oot there.....;)
Click to expand...


If it is not raining or blowing to hard , just your school uniform and a bouyancy jacket will do(y)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top