What Dinghy??

Fire99

Fire99

Well-Known Member
Joined
11 Oct 2001
Messages
3,918
Location
Bangor NI
Visit site
My Dad's after a Wanderer but they are in fairly short supply (limited choice on 2nd hand market)

Is the GP14 a worthy alternative? Since they seem far more a-plenty.

Dinghy will be used for cruising single handed (not racing) and occasionally 2 adults.

Needs to be able to take a 2hp outboard on the back.

Any other worthy alternatives that won't break the bank?

Many thanks,

Nik
 
Enterprise is lighter than a GP.
Also has no stern deck, so easier to mount an outboard.
Plenty of them about, the older GRP ones are not really competitive in racing, so tend to be cheap.
Many other boats out there would also be fine, it's a matter of finding something in the right state at the right time in the right place. Look for a complete package as covers, trailers etc cost a lot compared to used boats.
 
lw395 said:
Enterprise is lighter than a GP.
Also has no stern deck, so easier to mount an outboard.
Plenty of them about, the older GRP ones are not really competitive in racing, so tend to be cheap.
Many other boats out there would also be fine, it's a matter of finding something in the right state at the right time in the right place. Look for a complete package as covers, trailers etc cost a lot compared to used boats.
Click to expand...

Yep that's why I steered from the Wanderer a bit, just so there's more choice and more likely a nice package with all the equipment needed.
 
The GP14 is diabolically heavy, and I found ( even with a 'good' racing example ) that it just heels instead of translating wind into forward drive, hard work hiking out especially singlehanded.

I'd go for an Enterprise too,or a Scorpion; both have good boats available at reasonable prices.

The Scorpion is very seaworthy indeed, I took mine in big surf - both heading into and going with - and she coped very well.
 
Seajet said:
The GP14 is diabolically heavy, and I found ( even with a 'good' racing example ) that it just heels instead of translating wind into forward drive, hard work hiking out especially singlehanded.

I'd go for an Enterprise too,or a Scorpion; both have good boats available at reasonable prices.

The Scorpion is very seaworthy indeed, I took mine in big surf - both heading into and going with - and she coped very well.
Click to expand...

Interesting stuff. Cheers. I have to say dinghies aren't my strongest suit. All the ones I see at the sailing club, all have carbon masts and a price tag to suit. Not quite the cheap, fun, cruising dinghy market.
 
Fire99,

Scorpion, with rather conveniently a GP14 behind...

FreebirdCYC-2.jpg
 
Seajet said:
Fire99,

Scorpion, with rather conveniently a GP14 behind...
Click to expand...

I never liked the Wander to tippy better by a boat that is designed to be that size not a mini version...

I would say GP 14 better for space than scorpion and similar weight? Scorpions could be bit tippy but great boats though not arguing that.

Heron (bit small and slower?)? An old beach cat they are coming down in price (Hobby 18?).

Enterbarges again tippy and I do not like :rolleyes:.

Kestrel to heavy and big... Mirror Dinghy?

A Lymington Scow (or bigger sisiter) at 2-4k :eek:

Ok Scratching head now...
 
Fire99 said:
Not exactly GP money are they?
Click to expand...

I don't know how much a GP is but you said something that wouldn't break the bank, depends on the bank I suppose :confused:

A Drascombe Dabber, Scaith or Skiff can be got for 2-3K, 80-200KG up to 14'

Their is a dinghy in need of TLC with a trailer that needs new bearings going for £200. The make is unknown and I think it measured 17' when we measured it. I was tempted but couldn't get it back home. Will be too heavy for a 2HP I should think but it's at Blagdons Boatyard in Plymouth if interested, ask for Dan :)
 
Last edited:
I sail a Wanderer but many members of the club sail GPs, and I've sailed those too. We regularly race each other.

They're very similar in performance and handling. The Wanderer is faster on a reach but I think the GP edges it elsewhere. The differences are tiny though.

The Wanderer is beamier and a little more comfortable. They're about the same weight (5 kg difference in stated hull weight, though I'm not sure which mark of GP that is).

Basically I think the difference is the Wanderer is 30 years more modern.... as cars change more quickly it's probably a bit like comparing different marks of the same car... the newer mark is designed to do the same thing and has a lot in common with the previous one, but just seems a bit nicer, looks a little more modern and has a few more toys (most Wanderers seem to be fitted with roller furling for example).

Both are great boats.

Have you checked the for sale page at www.wanderer.org.uk? I don't think they're usually all that hard to pick up.
 
Last edited:
onesea said:
I never liked the Wander to tippy better by a boat that is designed to be that size not a mini version...
Click to expand...

I think that's pretty unfair. It's much less tippy than the likes of an Ent, and it is a proper design, not just a mini version, it's actually beamier than the Wayfarer. In fact I don't think it's a tippy boat at all.

If I remember her book correctly then the Wanderer was designed at the request of the wife of the Wayfarer's most famous customer - adventurer Frank Dye. Margaret wanted a boat that she could handle on her own but that had the capability of the Wayfarer - and the Wanderer delivers.

Declaration of bias: Proudly sailing Wanderer 1278 since 1995 :)
 
Last edited:
A GP14 would be grand on the water but heavy to lauch and recover, tricky singlehanded.
I taught myself to sail in an Enterprise, a bit like learning to swin at Niagara. Not suited to singlhanded pottering or the use of an outboard, in my view. I don't know the Scorpion well but the photo seems to put it in the same bracket.

PS
As onesea has suggested, a Heron would be worth looking at.
 
Last edited:
onesea; I would say GP 14 better for space than scorpion and similar weight? Scorpions could be bit tippy but great boats though not arguing that. [/QUOTE said:
Scorpion same weight as a GP ?! No way, look at the pic !

The GP does have more space, but not much; I sailed my Scorpion with crew + tent, sleeping bags etc; it's probably not as tippy as a GP, just goes much better; I sailed the Scorpion with a crew about 9-10 stone, self about 10stone in those days, singlehanded it in light winds fine but the kite proved a little ambitious...

Even with a heavier crew I found the GP 14 a real struggle to keep on her feet, as I say it just sits in a big hole in the water and gets clobbered !

Edit; just checked,

Scorpion 180lbs

GP14 292 lbs.
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
doug748 said:
A GP14 would be grand on the water but heavy to lauch and recover, tricky singlehanded.
I taught myself to sail in an Enterprise, a bit like learning to swin at Niagara. Not suited to singlhanded pottering or the use of an outboard, in my view. I don't know the Scorpion well but the photo seems to put it in the same bracket.

PS
As onesea has suggested, a Heron would be worth looking at.
Click to expand...

My Dad singlehanded our Ent a lot.
We also had a Suzuki 2hp outboard and caught lots of mackerel with it.
 
I have a Dabbler that I might be selling this year as we are moving our boat to France. Pm me if you think you might be interested. Unsinkable, rows well, sails well with or without jib, happy with a Mariner 2.5 on the back.

a02182cd.jpg


330c4d31.jpg


b92359ba.jpg


7929812e.jpg
 
Thanks for the posts so far guys. I'll forward on the suggestions. He won't be looking for a fixer upper but something that is of 'Wanderer' size so can be reasonably comfortable (as dinghies go) for a bit of cruising, can put a motor on the back and is reasonably fun to sail. Being quite fun to sail would be a bonus, since I may take it out from time to time too and I like things quite fun.
 
Cannot argue on weights its a long time ago since I played with Scorpion (used to race), GP 14 I have raced and taught in and Wonderer which I used to avoid teaching in, then I used to avoid teaching in Wayfarers so maybe I am biased.

Still question cruising in Scorpion, then it depends how much performance some ones dad wants...

If for day sailing I still wonder if a Heron or Mirror might be the way forward...
 
Problem with most Herons (and many Mirrors) is that they are wood.
Nothing wrong with that, but there is work to be done.

I enjoyed my Heron and could launch/recover on my own no problem.

Heron08.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top