Large sailing dinghy

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Seaduck

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When not out pottering in the big boat that I live on, I have been knocking around in motorised dinghies for fun.

However with the rising cost of fuel I am now considering a partial switch to sail.

I don't have the funds for a full blown yacht but would like something easy to sail, around 14/15ft long and capable of taking a Seagull outboard (just in case) for river and estuary use (Medway/Thames)

Any recommendations on make/model? and should I go lifting keel or removable centreboard?

Neal

PS: I do know how to sail, having crewed with friends over the last 8 years... and have lived on the river Medway for the last 23 years
 
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Is this a boat that is going to lie afloat or are you going to launch it each time?

For shallow water pottering about a swivelling centreboard is preferable to a daggerboard, so that a grounding is less of a disaster. If comfort is more important than speed, and if you are not going up and down a slipway each time, and if you are willing to spend a few quid, you might consider a lune pilot at 14.5 feet or a Drascombe Dabber at a bit more than that. If you were launching all the time you would want something lighter.
 
One of the smaller Drascombes would fit the bill. Among the class dinghies, GP14 or Wayfarer are good solid options. You'd need to add an outboard bracket for the ones with after decks but there is one built in to the Drascombes.
 
Seaduck said:
When not out pottering in the big boat that I live on, I have been knocking around in motorised dinghies for fun.

However with the rising cost of fuel I am now considering a partial switch to sail.

I don't have the funds for a full blown yacht but would like something easy to sail, around 14/15ft long and capable of taking a Seagull outboard (just in case) for river and estuary use (Medway/Thames)

Any recommendations on make/model? and should I go lifting keel or removable centreboard?

Neal

PS: I do know how to sail, having crewed with friends over the last 8 years... and have lived on the river Medway for the last 23 years
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For estuary work where the waves can get up and the compromise of being able to go over shallow ground the most durable larger dinghy is a Wayfarer (16'). Will take an outboard on the back.

Plenty secondhand as keen sailors/racers are all buying the newer Mk4.

Frank Dye sailed one to Iceland and a number sailed them to Ireland from UK and Denmark on the respective years that the international sailing championships were held in those countries. Its Canada next year so don't think anyone will be sailing from UK to Canada!!

Only disadvantage is that as a durable, stable, larger dinghy there are slightly heavier than the lighter wizzy ones. We race ours and my wife and myself manage without any problem launching and recovering.

If you can get a copy of the Wayfarer magazine there is a whole section on the cruising section where people go cruising in them and either camp or use a boom tent - not for me though.
 
A pal of mine has a good Albacore for sail - he renovated it but now doesn't get chance to sail as he lives in the Isle Of Man but works in Cumbria. PM me if you might be interested.
 
For launching and recovery from a slipway to go camping or day cruising can I recommend the Laser 13, well built and sturdy grp construction, stable, with easily raised pivoting metal centre board, big enough for two adults and two kids, two piece alloy mast for stowage when towing, furling jib, buoyancy built in to top panel of mainsail, good clearance under boom, outboard pad on transom, big stowage locker forward with Lewmar hatch which can take your outboard and tent. Oars and rowlocks as standard. Laser 16 is the same, only bigger, but hard work to launch and recover so most of them are kept afloat. Both are long out of production and scarce as hens teeth, I bought mine for about £1900 with trailer and launching trolley, single handed I could rig and launch in less than half an hour, used it for two years and sold it for the same price, regret letting it go but it went to a family with young kids who were starting sailing. They are always in demand so keep their value so while dearer than a GP14 etc. you are sure of your money back.
Not the first time I have recommended this on here as an alternative to Wayfarers etc. but I am really impressed with the boat which Laser put a lot of thought in to when they tackled the cruising dinghy market, it has a lot of detail touches in line with its perceived family use which did not involve racing, though apparently the previous owner raced mine.
You may find one for sale on the 'Laser Cruising Assoc.' website.
 
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10,000 Wayfarers can't be wrong...

It would be good to know if the boat is to be dry-sailed, or if something bigger that can be rigged/derigged easily whilst afloat is more the idea.
 
Buy nothing that requires crew weight to stop the thing from falling over! You really don't want to be floundering around in the oggin, think about what people and other critters deposit in there.
 
Quandary said:
For launching and recovery from a slipway to go camping or day cruising can I recommend the Laser 13, well built and sturdy grp construction, stable, with easily raised pivoting metal centre board, big enough for two adults and two kids, two piece alloy mast for stowage when towing, furling jib, buoyancy built in to top panel of mainsail, good clearance under boom, outboard pad on transom, big stowage locker forward with Lewmar hatch which can take your outboard and tent. Oars and rowlocks as standard. Laser 16 is the same, only bigger, but hard work to launch and recover so most of them are kept afloat. Both are long out of production and scarce as hens teeth, I bought mine for about £1900 with trailer and launching trolley, single handed I could rig and launch in less than half an hour, used it for two years and sold it for the same price, regret letting it go but it went to a family with young kids who were starting sailing. They are always in demand so keep their value so while dearer than a GP14 etc. you are sure of your money back.
Not the first time I have recommended this on here as an alternative to Wayfarers etc. but I am really impressed with the boat which Laser put a lot of thought in to when they tackled the cruising dinghy market, it has a lot of detail touches in line with its perceived family use which did not involve racing, though apparently the previous owner raced mine.
You may find one for sale on the 'Laser Cruising Assoc.' website.
Click to expand...

they do seem to have quite high prices second hand
http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/sailing-dinghies/laser-13-dingy-PAA52800
 
I guess there are not very many Mirror 16s left nowadays, although I see from the internet that the class is still just about active. They are not the world's most attractive boat but they sail superbly and can be used for camping/sleeping on board. More spacious than a Wayfarer.
 
My own steed is a wood GP14, which has given me an enormous amount of fun over the last 30 years. Others will have their own favourites. Enjoy ...

Not that I wish to start an argument or anything, an unballasted boat which can capsize (but of course you can deal with that) is perhaps safer than a ballasted boat which can sink ... but of course the outboard will also need to survive the capsize, preferably without expensive repairs. Obvious conclusion - Seagull!
 
Thanks guys.

Wayfarers are popular aren't they :cool: Drascombes are nice too but a little over budget (£2500ish)

I'm not planning on camping on board overnight but a small cabin 'just incase' would be a bonus

I currently have a permanent floating mooring, but due to the disability of a family member I will be forced to move into a house at a later date. So it will need to be trailerable aswell:confused::rolleyes:

Something like one of these...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/14-FOOT-S...ng_Goods_Sailing_Boats_ET&hash=item3a79e7e614


Neal
 
Seaduck said:
Wayfarers are popular aren't they :cool: Drascombes are nice too but a little over budget (£2500ish)
Click to expand...
Are you looking for something that you buy and "throw away" once you've finished with it or something that will be a bit more stable in value?

Seaduck said:
I'm not planning on camping on board overnight but a small cabin 'just incase' would be a bonus
Click to expand...
Tucking up just behind the foredeck is usually the warmest place on a wayfarer like dinghy - it's out of the wind & (normally) spray ...

Seaduck said:
Something like one of these...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/14-FOOT-S...ng_Goods_Sailing_Boats_ET&hash=item3a79e7e614
Click to expand...
Personally I wouldn't ... £450 and reserve not met - there are wayfarers around for not a lot more than that (plus some going up to several grand) - the wayfarer has a known pedigree ...
So do GP14's and Enterprises ...
 
If you are going to stay in the Medway area I would recommend the Wayfarer as they are sailed at the Medway Yacht Club and the Wilsonian Sailing Club. If you join either of those you could keep them there and make use of the club facilities. Certainly MYC has Wayfarers ranging from very old to very new so plenty of help and advice would be available. The club also hosted the Championships earlier this year.
As other have said the Wayfarer is an excellent all round boat. Stable and safe for pottering whilst being raced keenly by those that want too. It is also used widely by sailing schools. If you get a plastic one you won;t have to do much maintenance.
 
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