Sit in or 'on' dinghy?

[alant]

Now the forum has decided, it appears, that car toppable dinghies are not really available (apart from topper/mirror, with some assistance to lift), give pros/cons for sit 'in'/sit 'on' dinghies. All of which, require road trailers (plus launching trolley, if lucky to have a storage opportunity near the water) & must be able to be easily sailed singlehanded by one adult.

Options could include -

RS Feva, Topper Topaz, Laser Pico - sit on.

Otter, Gull, Scow, Wanderer, etc, sit in.

 

[Croak]

I put a Laser 1 and a Topper on the roof of the car (van) by myself it is all about systems.

I don't like being in the topper as an adult. It is too small.

 

[lw395]

Personal taste, what you want to do with it etc etc.
Do you want to go fast and get wetter, or are you looking for a more comfortable boat?

If you're looking for a bargain, it depends what's around at the right time.
Anything up to at least 14ft is viable to be sailed by one adult, unless you are looking for blasting about on windy days.

So it depends on your budget and taste.

 

[ProDave]

I don't think the forum decided car toppable dinghies are not available. Rather car toppable dinghies that can be lifted by one person are not available.

As I said in theother thread, I transported SWMBO's Laser Pico on the roof of my car, inverted, with it's launching trolley on top of it. The car behaved very well with that on top.

The only BUT is it needs 2 strong people to lift it up there and get it back down again, and probably some timber extensions as the rear roof bar was otherwise not wide enough.

 

[Searush]

You need to think about how & where you are going to use the boat first. Do you mind getting wet? Do you want adrenaline? Do you want to take the missus, GF, kids or a mate with you sometimes? Are you mostly lake or sea sailing? If racing, what does your local club race?

 

[capetown]

Now the forum has decided, it appears, that car toppable dinghies are not really available (apart from topper/mirror, with some assistance to lift), give pros/cons for sit 'in'/sit 'on' dinghies. All of which, require road trailers (plus launching trolley, if lucky to have a storage opportunity near the water) & must be able to be easily sailed singlehanded by one adult.

Options could include -

RS Feva, Topper Topaz, Laser Pico - sit on.

Otter, Gull, Scow, Wanderer, etc, sit in.

I can only comment on the ones I've owned/sailed.

Pico, didn't like it, seemed too twitchy.
Otter/Glass Bubble, Great boat, good value for money.
Gull, all Mk's, (I've not sailed the Calypso) Lovely little boat, sails well but expensive.
We found after sailing a Wayfarer in the morning then a Wanderer in the afternoon, so could compare, it doesn't behave like a mini Wayfarer, wasn't a relaxing sail. Also consider a Leader, cheaper than a Wanderer.

I don't know if it's been mentioned? But you can gain loads of info from talking to the guys in any sailing clubs compound.

Here's a link to the DCA. It might be of some use.

http://dinghycruising.org.uk/

 

[Greenheart]

This is the sort of question I've asked myself. Quite a nice feel, to be aboard a boat that's easily dealt with at the shore, like any dinghy, yet also allows one to sit inboard when weather allows, rather than always sticking one's backside overboard and getting wet...

...I sailed a Topper on many long trips as a teenager, when a more relaxing design would have suited my purpose better. That said, my enquiries hereabouts haven't all led me towards one unarguable favourite design...

...I like the Albacore for its high freeboard, inboard seats and plentiful stowage, although opinion seems slightly opposed to the shape for cruising purposes; apparently it is apt to roll suddenly. I still love that protected cockpit, though:

View attachment 20484

The GP14 has a similarly versatile cockpit layout, but much boxier hull form, with better stability, at least initially.

These, and the Wanderer and Wayfarer, are all on the weighty side, but that lack of skittishness is part of the appeal.

 

[alant]

I can only comment on the ones I've owned/sailed.

Pico, didn't like it, seemed too twitchy.
Otter/Glass Bubble, Great boat, good value for money.
Gull, all Mk's, (I've not sailed the Calypso) Lovely little boat, sails well but expensive.
We found after sailing a Wayfarer in the morning then a Wanderer in the afternoon, so could compare, it doesn't behave like a mini Wayfarer, wasn't a relaxing sail. Also consider a Leader, cheaper than a Wanderer.

I don't know if it's been mentioned? But you can gain loads of info from talking to the guys in any sailing clubs compound.

Here's a link to the DCA. It might be of some use.

http://dinghycruising.org.uk/

At last, almost a pro v con reply!

 

[hambleturtle]

If you swamp a sit on boat like the pico, then the water will just run out of the back.
Sit in boats Foxer/wanderer may take much more effort to empty.
Depending on when / where you sail you may be more/less likely to get swamped by chop, wake from the IOW fast cat, or mistakes.

What I'd look for in a boat

1. Managable in strong winds (reefable or choice of sail sizes would help) and easy to recover when capsized.
2. Fast - I like to be able to sail faster than the tide in light winds and get home without having to get a tow.
3. Light enough to drag up a slipway, and fast to rig.

The Laser 1/radial combination serves well but is strictly for 1 person, has flaws and is a bit unstable for some.
The pico is a great, robust, stable, fun toy, but it's cramped for an adult and is slow. Most adults will quickly want to move onto a bigger faster boat.
The more modern RS Feva and Topper Topaz may be more versatile, you can put two people in them if you want and the feva has a kite for lighter winds or if you want to play.

Go to the boat show or your nearest dinghy club / dinghy park and then buy a second hand boat.