Light weight dinghy kits

[joeirish]

Any views on light weight sailing dinghies that thave been built from kits?

I am considering a 14 ft LOA by 5 ft beam plywood/epoxy clinker dinghy with laminated centre plate. She is gaff rigged with 80 sq feet of sail, but only weighs 170 lbs. I have been advised that I will spend most of my time capsized (and wet!) as she is so light. I plan to sail her two up not single handed but in a very big lake here in Ireland that is more like coastal waters than inland waters.

<hr width=100% size=1>Joe Griffin

 

[aitchw]

No reason why should end up in the water a lot. With that beam on a 14' boat and so little sail area, especially gaff rigged you should stay pretty dry unless you really try hard to tip her. Just be prompt with your mainsheet when you take a gust.

Just for comparison, my Albacore is 15', has a similar beam to yours but carries around 125sq. ft and weighs around 240lbs (hull) and she has the extra leavarage of a bermudan rig.

BTW. are you sure she is clinker? Sounds much more like modern marine ply lapstrake construction. Very nice though, either way.

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[mirabriani]

Agree with aitchw. Depending on your skill there is no need to spend ALL your time in the drink. I built and raced a 125 lb 13 footer with 4'9" beam and she was very stable (depends on form stability) with either 80 sq ft or 60 sq ft (Enterprise sails)
Good Luck Briani

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[ex-Gladys]

As the late great Uffa Fox said, "The only place weight does any good is in a steam roller". Mirror dinghies are very light, but you couldn't wish for a more stable learners platform.

<hr width=100% size=1>Larry Botheras

Anderson 26 "Amber"