Thinking of buying a sailing dinghy

[rhino_mac]

I'd have a good nose at the RS web site as they seem to have a dinghy to suit every purpose. I'm really struggling with this at the moment as the advise above about what your club races is key, but if it's just for your own recreational use then the sky's the limit. I keep seeing really cool dinghies that look amazing fun, but there's no fleet at Poole YC.

My club races Lasers, Ospreys, GP14's and a couple of others but the RS range look really good fun which is a shame as it would be a bit useless. Great modern designs, light weight, loads of options/sizes and prices don't seem too terrible new. I have to admit, I didn't realise the GP14 was 140kg plus rigging etc. That's pretty heavy (probably from the fact the earlier ones were all wooden).

The RS Feva can be double handed but it's a bit smaller than the 400 so not sure if it's suitable. Our club has a few to hire so I'll try to take one of these out (I'm 6' 2" and 90kg so pretty big for some of these). The RS Vision looks like a good bit of kit for the money: http://www.rssailing.com/en/explore/rs-vision

The RS800 looks like a proper bit of kit and loads of fun. Might need a bit more room though http://www.rssailing.com/en/explore/rs800

 

[Andy Bav]

Before this gets moved off to the sailing side it was started off by JFM's wonderful addition to Match, his flybridge mounted laser dinghy.

I fancied doing the same but the lack of a flybridge crane probably scuppers it. I could use the bathing platform or even a cradle on top of the tender rib but as mentioned here: http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthrea...t-fit-Hard-Top&p=5186333&posted=1#post5186333 we have got a new lake in our back yard which would suit a sailing dinghy.

I assumed that I'd go out and buy a Laser but was instantly confused by all the different types available.

Requirements are: 95-100kg me plus 35-70kg other. As light as possible to enable dragging over reasonably rough ground. No concrete ramp but potentially could call upon mechanical help, tractor, digger, bits of string etc.

Purely a recreational toy and something to teach my daughter to sail in. Not going to join any clubs or start racing again.


Have been given some suggestions on the other thread. Would welcome any other input.

Suggestions so far:

GP14
laser 2000
Wayfairer - probably a bit big
RS 400

Henry

Our RYA dinghy sailing course back in 2009 started our boating bug and before we went to power I was going through a similar thought process - but not with my own pond to use. My requirement was to get something that the boys could enjoy that I could stick on the roof rack. I didnt fancy a 220 mile trip every other weekend dragging a dinghy behind us so a clear favourite was the Topper Topaz, which we planned to leave at the Holiday Home.

We hired a hired a couple in Salcombe in 2010 and had a whale of a time. We managed to capsize her once but I think that was due to operator error more than anything else, and as mentioned above I was ballast - err I think that should read crew - but my eldest and youngest spent a great afternoon trundling up and down, no problem.

We learned in a Laser, but the grins on the boys faces after 3 hours in a the Topaz spoke for themselves.... for me I had scuffed the skin off my knees through constant scrabbling about to balance the boat and I also left a quite expensive watch at the bottom of the harbour as the strap broke when we capsized. From memory the Topaz weighed 60kgs. Alternatives we looked at were windsurfers and a Hobie Wave - the latter looking quite entertaining(and for you may not be so much of a [literal] drag) .... we ended up with a Bayliner 185 though !

 

[Searush]

FWIW I have both a Laser & a GP14.

The Laser is quite tricky to sail as you gain reduced flexibility with age. Frequent tacking means ducking under a rather low boom & there isn't a lot of leeway if you fail to make it - say your BA catches or a knee slips. I've not gone in yet, but I have watched plenty of other oldies come a cropper.

The GP14 is much more gentlemanly & the high freeboard makes it very forgiving & good in a seaway. I'll happily sail it in t-shirt & walking trousers, whereas I always wear a wetsuit on the Laser. But the Laser is easy to recover & only takes a few minutes to set up, the GP14 is launchable & riggable on your own - just - & if the beach is shallow & hard sand & the wind light.