Mirror Dinghy.

[jhr]

There is a distinct possibility that the possessor of a large frame may cause a Mirror dinghy to capsize if he or she steps into it incautiously from a pontoon.

Erm, so I am told /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[gandy]

Thanks for the pics. The class seems to have completely vanished. To us, of course it was miles better than a Mirror. I just assumed it was heavier.

To put it on the roof, my father used this process.
- Place boat upright on the ground, stern to the back of the car (van for us)
- Lift bow up until the boat's standing vertical on its transom
- Lower until the bow's resting on the roof-rack
- Lift stern off the ground and slide forwards

The rear roof-rack bar had rollers. My father made a couple of wooden pads to cushion the transom as it was lifted, with cords showing how far from the car to place them.

 

[gandy]

Trivia question, since some people have heard of the Otter.

What was the class first called, and where did the name Otter finally come from?

 

[Lakesailor]

Bubbles and because the River Otter ran near to the factory at Kenton Forge, between Exeter and Teignmouth

 

[VicS]

Another vote for the Mirror as a good boat for a beginner.

If you will be sailing single handed look for one with a second mast step a bit forward of the normal one and a second position, forward from the normal ones, for the shrouds. Use those and sail it without the jib until you get used to it. Those bits were often left off if being built for racing.

I can confirm that the minimum hull weight is 100lbs (at least that was the class measurement requirement when I built mine).

I have loaded mine onto the roof bars single handed but I do not recommend it. I used to be able to carry mine on my shoulders for a short distance as well!

A former colleage used to carry his on the roof of a Cavalier. He had the Easy Loader that Stargazer refers to, or something similar. He could easily load it with that.

I still have the Building instructions and the Sailing instructions if you have any queries.

Apologies if it's already mean mentioned and I've missed it but the Mirror Class Association website is HERE There is a link there to Trident Marine who can supply spares (at a price!)

 

[benjenbav]

My dad bought a Mirror when I was about 9. The first time we used it was at Dale where we spent a fair bit of time working out how to get in without getting our feet wet and then looking for a replacement for the nylon retaining catch for the rudder which, of course, broke as the waves lifted the boat up and then down with the boat in a good six inches of water.

We realised we weren't doing it right and joined a club - where we were first too shy to sail with the others and just kept out of their way.

Later we started racing and some years later dad ended up as Commodore.

We moved on from the Mirror into racier vessels but took the Mirror all over the place and used it variously with an outboard motor, as a base for fishing and as a diving platform as well as for sailing.

We always used to put the Mirror on top of the car which was easy for me at the time because I was too small to lift it up there but a bit of a nuisance for my mother who has never been very keen on boats but who used to have to help with this bit.

PS - Sail no. 35655

 

[newbuoy]

Looks like I may have stirred a few memories here, and all fond it seems.
Sounds to me like an excellent learning vessel, what was the natural progression for you all ? Did you all then go on to trailer sailers with a little more comfort and protection from the elements ?
Strangely PLAN B had evaded me and don't ask me how ! In the back of my Ford Transit van ! Before we all get too excited I will have a measure up first.
Will report back later !

Phil

 

[fireball]

35655 ... positively new!! ... 4148 ... and it is over 35 years old ....

 

[benjenbav]

Progression for me was:

Sailfish(?)
Enterprise
International Moth
Solo
Windsurfer
Marriage/Mortgage/Kids
Jeanneau Fantasia
Sunseeker Portofino

 

[dunedin]

Enjoy your sailing.
As above, a Mirror is a great learner boat. With two people it is a complete dawdle to put on the roof, and should be able to do roof to launch in 10-15 mins. Both the original wood and recent GRP ones are a bit fragile though and easily damaged when sailing.
The Topper is another option - single hander but the hull is virtually un breakable and loads around cheap.

The prize for roof rack loads that I have seen goes to the French as ever. Once saw a Citroen DS with caravan on behind - and a circa 15 foot cabin cruiser on the roof !

 

[gandy]

[ QUOTE ]
Bubbles and because the River Otter ran near to the factory at Kenton Forge, between Exeter and Teignmouth

[/ QUOTE ]"Glass Bubbles" at the time we bought ours, which was sail number 62. Presumable a reference to the glass fibre, but a really naff name in any case. The class secretary's own boat was named "Otter" and I had remembered that as being the origin for the new class name, but your reference could easily be correct. I was young at the time.