Questions about this type of Enterprise

[Tink]

I am wanting to start dinghy cruising after 40 years of racing. I want to go solo and camp on board occasionally. A light, easy to handle ashore boat is critical as I believe it will get much more use. I am moving from Co Durham to near the south coast so I see lots of trailer day sailing in new locations.

I have researched extensively and think the Gull mark 1, 2 or 3 fits the bill. The more modern ones have been messed about with and camping on board may be hard. I considered a Mirror but find it physically cramped for my size. There are many bigger boats Wanderer etc but they start to get heavy.

People have used Enterprises with cut down sails very successfully and have looked at them but wanted to avoid buoyancy bags and not seen a GRP one that appealed until this weekend. I am particularly drawn to this design as it looks nice and simple and doesn’t appear to have any plywood.

On this forum I have read above leaks in the tank to sole joint but feel happy to repair that if it develops.

So
1. what is the name of this model / manufacturer
2. when where they built
3. are they all GRP or is there some hidden plywood - have seen GRP Enterprises with a plywood forward, I presume this doesn’t have this sort of construction
4. any issues with this type of enterprise

 

[Kurrawong_Kid]

I am wanting to start dinghy cruising after 40 years of racing. I want to go solo and camp on board occasionally. A light, easy to handle ashore boat is critical as I believe it will get much more use. I am moving from Co Durham to near the south coast so I see lots of trailer day sailing in new locations.

I have researched extensively and think the Gull mark 1, 2 or 3 fits the bill. The more modern ones have been messed about with and camping on board may be hard. I considered a Mirror but find it physically cramped for my size. There are many bigger boats Wanderer etc but they start to get heavy.

People have used Enterprises with cut down sails very successfully and have looked at them but wanted to avoid buoyancy bags and not seen a GRP one that appealed until this weekend. I am particularly drawn to this design as it looks nice and simple and doesn’t appear to have any plywood.

On this forum I have read above leaks in the tank to sole joint but feel happy to repair that if it develops.

So
1. what is the name of this model / manufacturer
2. when where they built
3. are they all GRP or is there some hidden plywood - have seen GRP Enterprises with a plywood forward, I presume this doesn’t have this sort of construction
4. any issues with this type of enterprise

Unless I’m mistaken, they are Hartley 12 dinghies made by Hartley Boats of Derby and are still built. See their website. I don’t think there is any wood in them.

 

[Kurrawong_Kid]

Unless I’m mistaken, they are Hartley 12 dinghies made by Hartley Boats of Derby and are still built. See their website. I don’t think there is any wood in them.

Correction, the top one might be, the lower is by another manufacturer.

 

[michael_w]

What ever they are, they certainly arn't an Enterprise.

 

[Bobc]

Bahia by Laser. Topper also do a similar rotomold thing (can't remember what it is called).

They are popular with sailing schools because they are simple, stable, and virtually indestructible.

 

[lw395]

The bottom one is a Laser Bahia.
According to the logo on the bow anyway.

There is a bewildering variety of designs from the last 20 years. Plus all the others before that.

 

[Topcat47]

I suppose it depends on whether you'll be taking a tent or trying to sleep on board. If the latter, then either the Wayfairer or Wanderer are the way to go. That's my two pen'orth, anyway.

 

[PeterV]

There aren't any Enterprises in your photograph. The bottom 2 are both rotomoulded boats, possibly both Laser Bahias. Rotomoulded boats are very rugged but heavier than equivalent fibreglass boats and have less interior volume. The second from top looks like a standard Laser singlehanded dinghy, possibly a Laser 11 2 man dinghy and the top is probably the later version of the Laser 11, called a Laser 3000.

As regards an Enterprise for cruising, you will be told they are more unstable than other heavier dinghies but if you have a reef fitted to your mainsail you will find it will perform well and be quite manageable, I did this with a Lark and cruised quite happily in it singlehanded.

 

[Lightwave395]

I suppose it depends on whether you'll be taking a tent or trying to sleep on board. If the latter, then either the Wayfairer or Wanderer are the way to go. That's my two pen'orth, anyway.

I'd agree with that, you'd certainly need a cut down rig if you were to go with an Enterprise, I used to race them way back on my way up through the dinghy ranks, they're a bit of a handful when the wind pipes up

 

[Tink]

Sorry one and all, this was my first post and I somehow

This is fingers crossed what I wanted to talk about

 

[Bobc]

Can I suggest you look at a Laser 13. I think it's what you're looking for.

Adding to this now I have more time:-

The Laser 13 is GRP and not too heavy. It was designed specifically as a cruising dinghy, so is stable and not over-powered.

It has a reefable mainsail, you can mount an outboard onto the transom, it has a pair of oars with it, and it has a large watertight locker under the foredeck accessed by a large hatch (ideal for keeping your tent, bedding, clothes and food dry).

You can put a boom tent onto them or completely enclose the cockpit if you wish.

Typical cost is £600-£800.

There is also a larger version called the Laser 16 if you want something a bit bigger.

 

[ShinyShoe]

They are roto moulded

But I'd say that makes them heavier than they need to be for size

They have open transoms. Not sure perfect for camping

Look also at heron.

Do you want NO wood at all?

You buying new?

Conditions you sailing in will matter...

 

[Tink]

As I am a newbie there is a massive delay in my posts being a approved.

Hopefully my picture of what is a Holt GRP Enterprise should be posted before this. Sorry again fo the wrong picture. Is there a way of post a picture without the whole url thing?

 

[Tink]

Can I suggest you look at a Laser 13. I think it's what you're looking for.

Thanks for your reply, I think the wrong picture being posted may have given you that impression.

I most certainly do not the Laser 13 doesn’t get a good write and wasn’t produced for very long perhaps because of its poor handling. It also weighs in at a hefty 136 kg same as a Wanderer which is altogether a better boat. I want something small and light which I can occasionally camp on, the lightness is the key. I am thinking Gull but when I saw the GRP Enterprise I liked extra room for not much extra weight.

 

[anoccasionalyachtsman]

Grammar alert. I think that the OP fluffed the last paragraph, and intended to support his case for using a light dinghy giving the reefed Enterprise just as an example. Going on to say that he'd spotted and liked the Bahia.

 

[Tink]

Grammar alert. I think that the OP fluffed the last paragraph, and intended to support his case for using a light dinghy giving the reefed Enterprise just as an example. Going on to say that he'd spotted and liked the Bahia.

Hopefully soon the right picture will be posted and my OP will make sense, being a newbie everything has to get approval

 

[wombat88]

People sleep in Wayfarers but need a crew to move them on land.

They also sleep in Wanderers which are lighter but still quite heavy. A popular boat amongst dinghy cruisers.

They also sleep comfortably in Tideways and the like. You lift the floorboards onto the thwarts and the bed is made. As mentioned the Heron is a possibility but I think only wood. There are other.s

I have heard of people sleeping in Gulls etc but they tend to be small (both boat and people).

You probably want something with a nice deep hull to make for a bit of space and a reasonably high boom, I doubt sleeping on a plank is much fun.

 

[Quandary]

I would support Bobc's recommendation of the Laser 13 as a cruising dinghy, I regret ever selling mine and if I ever found another for the prices Bob quoted would buy it like a shot. Roller headsail, easily reefed main with flotation in top panel, large waterproof stowage compartment, oars and outboard bracket. Two part mast and could be rigged and launched single handed within half an hour of arrival. Plenty of space I used mine for adult sailing lessons for mums when the kids were out in Picos., comfortable for three or four. There is a marine plywood thwart but no other timber and it is easy to remove if it needs varnished or replaced.
Laser did another larger version of the same design but they are too heavy for single handed launch and recovery, may still be a few around Ardfern where they kept them on moorings and raced them.

 

[lw395]

I am wanting to start dinghy cruising after 40 years of racing. I want to go solo and camp on board occasionally. A light, easy to handle ashore boat is critical as I believe it will get much more use. I am moving from Co Durham to near the south coast so I see lots of trailer day sailing in new locations.

I have researched extensively and think the Gull mark 1, 2 or 3 fits the bill. .......

Depending on where you are thinking of sailing, you may need to consider that most of the cruise-able areas of the South Coast are quite tidal. If your idea of cruising involves going places on nice sunny light air days, then a boat which makes good progress in light air is a good thing.
A gull loaded with tent etc is not going to be a quick boat.
Best to be clear about exactly what you want from your boat.

 

[lw395]

I would support Bobc's recommendation of the Laser 13 as a cruising dinghy, I regret ever selling mine and if I ever found another for the prices Bob quoted would buy it like a shot. Roller headsail, easily reefed main with flotation in top panel, large waterproof stowage compartment, oars and outboard bracket. Two part mast and could be rigged and launched single handed within half an hour of arrival. Plenty of space I used mine for adult sailing lessons for mums when the kids were out in Picos., comfortable for three or four. There is a marine plywood thwart but no other timber and it is easy to remove if it needs varnished or replaced.
Laser did another larger version of the same design but they are too heavy for single handed launch and recovery, may still be a few around Ardfern where they kept them on moorings and raced them.

Two on Apollo Duck as we speak.
https://sailingdinghies.apolloduck.co.uk/listings.phtml?cid=106&sti=55

I don't quite share your level of enthusiasm. Bit heavy for their size. But they do a job at that sort of price.