My first sailing dinghy question?

Have a look at my Heron .
I agree about trailing rather than car-topping. Herons were designed originally to be car topable, but you'd need a beefy crew to hoist it up and you'd probably have to carry it from the water's edge to a car park. It would take the shine off the experience (and probably the dinghy).
If you weren't so far away I'd suggest you may like to buy mine. That is if I can make up my mind about selling it.
 
Re: As others said ...

P.s.

We had great fun as a family with our GP14, No. 202, getting on a bit now I guess.

Al-Vikki-Julian-Mathew-GP14.jpg


I have wonderful memories of sailing as a kid in ours. It does not matter which you go for I guess, but your kids will remember the times for the rest of their lives!
 
The answer is, in fact...

whatever they sail on said gravel pit that you can find to buy locally WITH A COMBI TRAILER (that is the critical bit!) that is suited to your age and agility and is not too expensive.

By way of example, I'm 53 and 12 stone. After 35 years of bigger boats I've started sailing a Firefly again with my 10 year old son., who has just got his Level 2. I find I can manage it in reasonable weather, by by heck the boom is low in a Firefly!

Still got the bigger boat, but dinghy sailing is good for you!

The combi trailer (one where the boat goes on a launching trolley that in turn goes on the trailer) is the really important bit as you can take the boat wherever you like, and it is far easier to sell again if it is on a combi trailer.

There is not much maintenance in a wooden racing dinghy. Honest. I should know (37ft gaff cutter, 16ft clinker dayboat, wooden Firefly, 9ft clinker tender!)
 
Re: The answer is, in fact...

Oh yes, I'll second that. Especially if you get anything bigger than a Mirror, get a combi trailer. I haven't got one. I know.
 
hm. Well, having qualified in the gravel pit, you might want to consider sailing on some water at some point - but as always I wd suggest you work up to it gently by doing some sailing in a field, then on the beach before finally going for the sailing on water.
 
Thanks everyone for great replies - will digest and let you all know how my plans go.

Joanne wants a boat with a pink sail but Im not sure how vital that is........

I am based in South Bucks and am looking at lake/gravel pit/field sailing around Harefield and Denham and possibly cookham on Thames which Bisham suggested.

Thanks again

Nick
 
If you want to race,which is the best way to learn,make sure you get something that has a fleet racing close to home.

Lake and Gravel pit I can understand but what on earth is field sailing?
 
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