Small Sailing Dinghy as a Tender?

[EuanMcKenzie]

thanks

We are using a wood Mirror as a tender at the moment.

It's a bit fragile for a stoney/concrete landing, I would be happier to use it on sand/mud.

It tows well, a longer painter is better than a short one.

We have a dagger board stub, the sort of thing you would end up with if you broke a good one trying to right a capsized boat. It stops water shooting up in a fountain when motoring and the bits of water that find their way up the slot when towing or even rowing. A full daggerboard does cause yawing when towing.

They are a bit fragile and you need to move about carefully.

In a marina environment they are a liability. They are big, and not very fender like, fragile really.

They sail well, even great for a family boat.

They take loads of gear when rowing/motoring, far more than our inflatable, but I wouldn't sail when in tender mode. Row or motor as a tender, sail just fro training or fun.

HTH

Thats about how I thought it would be, I have an inflatable as well with a 2 stroke suzuki. Thought the combination would be good for having fun at anchor and letting the kids learn to sail a dinghy. Also the Mirror might take the 2HP Suzuki also.

Guess I'm definately still looking for a fixer upper in Scotland. Anyone?

 

[ianat182]

WANDERER.
If you read my post again you'll see that I recommended a MIRACLE dinghy not the Mirror 11ft . there are three larger "Mirror" dinghies Miracle 13ft; Mirror 14 (alias Marauder);and Mirror 16; all are built in stitch and glue ply,the Miracle is .longer than the Mirror 11ft and a superior sailing quality and will tow perfectly,centreboard up. if tutoring two boys to saili.e. with 3 up this is perfect for the job. The praam bow is more refined and the buoyancy ample, a 2HP outboard perfect also.
Aluminium spars fit the boat, and bermudian rig sails are of good shape with loose footed white mainsail and good sized jib,pivoting centreboard; has a useful shaped cutout in the side deck to take the larger instructor when needed. All these dinghies above are part of the Mirror Class association.

ianat182

 

[Searush]

I used to tow two dinks. A Maestral 5 inflatable with a small ply sailing dink tied on top of it (spars & oars stowed inside). It worked a treat, heavir=er than an inflatable so didn't flip in strong winds, but the soft sides of teh inflatable protected the delicate ply dink. On a mooring or at anchor there were 2 tenders available so the kids didn't have to stick with mum & dad or mum & dad didn't get stranded. I could play sailing while they were free to still come & go.

The sailing dink car topped & the maestral rolled up, but it was still quite a load in the car. Still have the dink if any one around Stafford want to have a look. It is a little over canvassed (cut down 505 sail!) needs a rub down & paint & I think the tiller snapped - a consequence of sailing it too hard in strong winds (over canvassing creates weather helm)

PM me if your interested in seeing it.

 

[CaptainBob]

Thank you for all the replies. Lots of ideas to think about!

Happen to be in Woodbridge at the moment, and happened to spot this for sale:

http://www.andyseedhouseboats.co.uk/sales/boatdetails2.php?boatid=920

It's really quite small at 8ft but looks like it might tick all of our boxes. Much more than I was looking to pay, but it's brand new and shiny and I must admit I'm a little tempted.

It's fibreglass and has glassed in buoyancy.

Would appreciate people's opinions on it.

 

[ianat182]

If that boat is attractive to you then perhaps you could look for Keyhaven,Yarmouth,or Lymington scows or the Jacqueline, they aren't cheap but their resale values stay high,and can be raced. Some have a small jib, some gunter-rigged and others dipping lug. Pretty boats and stable.

ianat182

 

[Ruffles]

Would appreciate people's opinions on it.

Looks great. Well worth the money. Just enough woodwork to make it fun without being a varnishing nightmare. Looks like most of it comes off so you can do it at home on the kitchen table.

The fender strip looks excellent.

Do the spars fit inside the length of the boat? You'll often find yourself towing with them tied in.

I'd have a look inside the front to see what the towing eye is attached to. East to reinforce though.

You'll need some means of blocking the slot when towing or it will slowly fill.

Not a fan of plastic rowlocks. But I'm sure they're fine.

Will you store it on its transom or upside down on a rack? Is it light enough to do this?

Here's our old dinghy. Bought for a song but had to replace most of the woodwork.

 

[CaptainBob]

It will be stored in the water, afloat, at all times.

I'm confused about the floor boards. Won't they get water beneath that we can't easily bale?

Know what you mean about the rowlocks. They look pretty flimsy.

 

[Ruffles]

It will be stored in the water, afloat, at all times.

I'm confused about the floor boards. Won't they get water beneath that we can't easily bale?

Know what you mean about the rowlocks. They look pretty flimsy.

You'll need to anti foul the bottom then - use any old leftovers.
You might want to make a cover if it's afloat - the spars will act as a ridge for the 'tent'. Otherwise it'll be a paddling pool. Got a sewing machine?
Not got the luxury of floorboards myself. I assume you lift them.

 

[mcframe]

Perhaps keep an eye / ear open to windward for an 8' Walker Bay to come for sale?

Walker Bays certainly tick the stability/row/tow boxes - the 8' might be a bit small for 3 adults if they have much kit - with 2+2, I've sometimes got to do a separate baggage run.

It's claimed that they are rare on the s/h market 'cos folks keep them - having bit the bullet and err, splashed out on a new one two years ago, I'm not planning on selling ours anytime soon.

I think ours got stuck under the hull last time we dried out on a beach, but they float with water up to the thwarts :-0

 

[CaptainBob]

Thanks everyone.

Ruffles, yours looks absolutely perfect!

McFrame - I've realised the Walker Bay 8 is about spot on for my criteria, but, not that it should matter a jot, they're so lacking in any kind of character. But they're tough, light, row, tow and sail. And I don't have to make it myself. And probably have good resale value. Tempting.

 

[stiknstring]

Sailable dinghy

Worth taking a serious look at the Walker Bay 275 RID. This is the standard WB but with inflatable tubes around it. Bought one for my sons to entertain themselves in while we are at anchor/pub. Goes well as a sailing boat (although we have put in the sail rig from the WB 10) and is a good gentle and surprisingly quick fun boat. When not in use to sail, we put on a 6hp Yamaha and she slips along nicely at 5kts+ with three adult sized people and a few bags. Nice thing about that is the tubes keep us really dry unlike the AVON it replaced. Criticisms - the mainsheet block needs a cleat in it (available separately) - and the rowlocks are reportedly a little weak although we have not noticed this. Being essentially a solid chine boat, of course it rows very well too.

No connection with WB myself, just a satisfied customer