Thanks to Onesea, I do love Dragons, but the budget for even a tired old one is at least treble what I'm expecting to spend...
...I reckon Dylan is right, the Nimrod, assuming I find a clean one when I can afford one, is the answer to my endless questions.
Although, to keep the part of me that wanted a Contender (or other speedster) happy, I may then start windsurfing...
...perfect...small enough to tow or stow on the Westerly, and so practical! And I can paint "Tender to Nimrod" on the board.
How d'you know pensioner-status isn't already the reason I'm financially restricted in my choice of craft?
I admit, I'm not particularly firm on what I want most of all from a boat. And differing characteristics each appeal a great deal, when described by contributors who are acutely alive to their own boat's benefits. I'm very glad if you enjoy the enduring topic.
I'd like a quicker dinghy than I could probably handle, most of the time...meanwhile I'd like a ballasted keel for offshore security...I'd like a centreboarder for creek-crawling, I'd like a cabin to obviate using a boom-tent, and I'd like it in GRP to reduce maintenance.
Oh, and I'll need to find it for pennies, otherwise you gents'll have to listen to my dreaming until I can make the cash!
Actually I think the Westerly Nimrod is high up there amongst the front-runners...except it's at least double my ££££.
I'll stop moaning on speculatively, once I have the cash. I'll acquire the boat - yet unknown - and my output on here will switch instantly to "can I tow a launching trolley with a bicycle?", or "can I turn the prop using compressed carbon dioxide?" or such other nonsense.
I do like the Nimrod. Looks like a dinghy with a lid, rather than a heavy, slow, complex yacht-in-miniature. It'd be nice to get a boat from a trusted manufacturer, too.
Cheers.
Now there is a truthful statement...
Do you have all night?
Truth is, I vacillate. Or rather, I require more of any one design than can easily be comprised. That said, this thread has largely reminded me that I'm too fond of variable-draft flexibility to switch to a fixed deep keel in a single bound. And, the smallest centreboard cruisers have much of the appeal of cruising dinghies, which I'm familiar with...
...although, they're usually a bit slow and thrice the price of similarly proportioned fast dinghies...so, maybe a nice scruffy old Osprey instead, as a project to have ready for summer?...and, back I go, seeking impractical performance over ever-useable proven fun...
...as the wise gents here have said, I just need to buy something and sail it for a while, to know the answers to all my own questions...but I'm keen to make a sound choice, first time out.
