Optimist dinghy.

graham

Well-known member
Joined
16 May 2001
Messages
8,106
Visit site
Anyone built a ply/epoxy Oppy? Are they competitive against the plastic ones? My 11 yr old has been sailing the club boats this season has won a couple of races an d is making expensive noises about having his own boat /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
 

Lakesailor

New member
Joined
15 Feb 2005
Messages
35,236
Location
Near Here
Visit site
Don't underestinate the cost of building a boat. All the little bits really add up the cost.
My "back-of-a-fag-packet" project is up to £220 and I've bought very cheap and found many bits.
Better to buy a secondhand one and titivate it. Just make sure if you buy a winning boat, you are getting the winning bits, not the old stuff they haven't used for a couple of years.
 

boguing

Active member
Joined
5 Nov 2005
Messages
2,227
Location
Styx Marina
Visit site
I had planned to build two for my kids. A friend pointed out that I'd be wincing every time they got dinged.

Quite right. I bought two for £600 each and they're fine boats. They'll get a new sail when they get their first third place, and a new boat if winning becomes frequent.
 

AIDY

Active member
Joined
19 Jan 2004
Messages
7,763
Location
Muckle Flugga
www.ybw.com
I built both an opy and a mirror in kit form years ago. very satifying thing to do. next time i think i will buy second hand. kids grow up so quickly in a few years they will be sailing something bigger or even crewing for dad !
 

oldsaltoz

New member
Joined
4 Jul 2001
Messages
6,005
Location
Australia, East coast.
Visit site
[ QUOTE ]
I built both an opy and a mirror in kit form years ago. very satifying thing to do. next time i think i will buy second hand. kids grow up so quickly in a few years they will be sailing something bigger or even crewing for dad !

[/ QUOTE ]

G'day Arnold (Aidy),

Both my boys raced mirror's, and did pretty well too. But I was flat out maintaining them both as well as our own 28 footer, thank got they grew out of them and crewed for me, then I had to crew for them in the junior races. Strange how these things turn around and bite you.

Now well into their thirties that still love sailing almost as much as me.

Learning to sail early in life is a great addition to any kids childhood, I know it did me no harm nor my sons, I just wish I could get my 2 Daughters interested.

Agree with others above get a good second hand job, the kids grow out of them all too soon, just expect to be working on them after most weekends for a few seasons.

Andavagoodweekend......
 

William_H

Well-known member
Joined
28 Jul 2003
Messages
14,054
Location
West Australia
Visit site
I agree Brian. The comment about kids crewing for Dad.... always dad crews for kids or at least let them think they are in charge. It is the way to keep them keen. They won't be keen on taking orders from Dad.

As for small dinghys yes buy second hand. However if you are really keen on them winning then buy the boat with the best winning record.
I made the mistake of buying cheap for racing reasoning that I could fix it up but some old boats will never be winners.
Enjoy the kids while you have em olewill
 

graham

Well-known member
Joined
16 May 2001
Messages
8,106
Visit site
Thanks for the replies. Probably cheaper to buy a good second hand one but it could still be on the cards as a project .

I have built several small dinghys and trailersailers but not used the ply/epoxy method before,this could be an experiment prior to doing a larger boat that is taking shape in my head. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Provided I can keep it close to the minimum weight it should be competitive.I used to race Solo dinghys and in those days all the top boats were ply not glass.
 

oldsaltoz

New member
Joined
4 Jul 2001
Messages
6,005
Location
Australia, East coast.
Visit site
[ QUOTE ]
Provided I can keep it close to the minimum weight it should be competitive.I used to race Solo dinghys and in those days all the top boats were ply not glass.

[/ QUOTE ]

Let us not forget that the early fibreglass boats were all heavy, not like today LOL

Avagoodweekend......
 
Top