Which dinghy for an older bloke?

[Quandary]

Every time this comes up I intervene to recommend the Laser 13, grp, well built, stable, roller furling jib, two part mast for towing, easy to rig, launch and recover single handed. Buoyant top panel in the mainsail so they do not roll over. Tough enough to get ashore where the notion takes you. Most come with oars and an outboard pad as they are popular for camping/ cruising. They are long in the tooth now but most still look like new (there is one bit of plywood but it is easily replaceable) and like hens teeth so pricey (close to £2k) but you always get your money back as there is nothing else with the combination of quality design and manufacture. There is a 16' version as well but it is too heavy to be launched and recovered on a whim.

What possessed me to let mine go?

 

[Sybarite]

They are all in France! (I am sure that you noticed that!)

Er ... yes....

So?

 

[Tam Lin]

Er ... yes....

So?

So, I live in Essex and I am lazy!

 

[ffiill]

TL, why have a boom ? What about a loose footed mainsail or a sprit ?


And (this may get me into trouble with Mrs TL) how about building your own dinghy over the winter. Lots of exciting designs, some even with kits.

http://www.oughtredboats.com/

http://www.christinedemerchant.com/sail_sprit_sail.html

I have a set of plans for one of the Ian oughtred boats using his epoxy fillet and glue system-very simple design.
If I ever get " aroundtoit" building it that is I intend to fit a loose footed sprit sail

 

[eddystone]

Every time this comes up I intervene to recommend the Laser 13, grp, well built, stable, roller furling jib, two part mast for towing, easy to rig, launch and recover single handed. Buoyant top panel in the mainsail so they do not roll over. Tough enough to get ashore where the notion takes you. Most come with oars and an outboard pad as they are popular for camping/ cruising. They are long in the tooth now but most still look like new (there is one bit of plywood but it is easily replaceable) and like hens teeth so pricey (close to £2k) but you always get your money back as there is nothing else with the combination of quality design and manufacture. There is a 16' version as well but it is too heavy to be launched and recovered on a whim.

What possessed me to let mine go?

Possibly wanted to enjoy sailing again?
If you want that sort of thing I think the Laser Bahia is a bit less like a tree trunk with sails

 

[Quandary]

Possibly wanted to enjoy sailing again?
If you want that sort of thing I think the Laser Bahia is a bit less like a tree trunk with sails

I know performance is not its thing but at my age neither is capsize recovery and compared to some of the Drascombes etc. being recommended ?????
Though the OP is just an 'older bloke' so obviously not as far gone as I am.

 

[Tam Lin]

I am not too worried about performance, just want to potter. Don’t want to capsize if I can help it!

 

[mogmog2]

Hadron* or precursor Harrier**?
*Blurb from Hadron "...which will fulfil the requirements of the experienced dinghy sailor who is perhaps, like myself, getting on a bit, but who nonetheless demands good performance, and without too much pain. In other words, the boat must have impeccable handling characteristics, be comfortable to sit out and to sit in, easy to right after a capsize, and of course be a joy to sail. "
**Blurb for Harrier "...The Harrier dinghy was commissioned by Lancashire businessman and OK sailer Harold Smith in 1972. He felt he was getting too old for his OK, and so he asked me to design a fast and responsive singlehander which was stable, powerful and easy to handle."

 

[eddystone]

I am not too worried about performance, just want to potter. Don’t want to capsize if I can help it!

Steer clear of the Solo then which unfailingly inverts after a capsize; it's exhausting to right and after a death roll or two you lose the will to live. An awful lot of Solo sailors in the "retirement" category avoid sailing in strong winds for that very reason. I'm interested in the Hadron H2 after reading about it not inverting although the Streaker is a much cheaper alternative.

 

[lw395]

I am not too worried about performance, just want to potter. Don’t want to capsize if I can help it!

But pottering, particularly on a river, is a lot more fun if you have sufficient performance to make good ground over the current in lighter airs.

 

[Daydream believer]

I am 70 & am 6ft 6 ins. & sometimes sail my Phantom. The boom height is rarely a problem as I spend most of the time upside down !!!

 

[Poey50]

Steer clear of the Solo then which unfailingly inverts after a capsize; it's exhausting to right and after a death roll or two you lose the will to live. An awful lot of Solo sailors in the "retirement" category avoid sailing in strong winds for that very reason. I'm interested in the Hadron H2 after reading about it not inverting although the Streaker is a much cheaper alternative.

Amen to that! I've had my Hadron H2 since July and that thing just refuses to capsize. I was out in my Solo on Saturday for the first time in months, misjudged the gybe mark and it was all over....

The Hadron H2 is a lot faster than the Solo but the wide side tanks (which makes sitting out possible rather than hiking out) renders it fairly capsize-resistant.

Also the modern lightweight construction of the H2 makes hauling it up the beach a much more pleasant experience than Solos or most other dinghies (let alone the dayboats that are being suggested).

No connection to the company - just love the boat!

 

[Poey50]

I am 70 & am 6ft 6 ins. & sometimes sail my Phantom.

Your poor knees!

 

[eddystone]

Amen to that! I've had my Hadron H2 since July and that thing just refuses to capsize. I was out in my Solo on Saturday for the first time in months, misjudged the gybe mark and it was all over....

The Hadron H2 is a lot faster than the Solo but the wide side tanks (which makes sitting out possible rather than hiking out) renders it fairly capsize-resistant.

Also the modern lightweight construction of the H2 makes hauling it up the beach a much more pleasant experience than Solos or most other dinghies (let alone the dayboats that are being suggested).

No connection to the company - just love the boat!

You've convinced me as soon as I have £10K - (from SSOA logo assume you are also have a Sadler/dinghy double life)

 

[Poey50]

You've convinced me as soon as I have £10K - (from SSOA logo assume you are also have a Sadler/dinghy double life)

Yes - I have a Sadler 32 (like you) for summer fun, Hadron H2 and Solo for other weekends and winter fun. The H2 is great in a anything over 6 knots but doesn't do well in the really light stuff so that is Solo time when the fully battened main earns its keep.

 

[Greenheart]

...the modern lightweight construction of the [Hadron] makes hauling it up the beach a much more pleasant experience than Solos or most other dinghies...

The Solo is only 70kgs...is that heavy?

I don’t want to race, just potter about on the tidal river.

Since class rules are not an issue, don't dismiss dinghies that were designed for a crew of two. Typically they're roomier than singlehanders, and far more interesting.

Every time I go out, I employ the genoa top-swivel you kindly gave me, four or five years back. My boat may never have been meant for one man alone, but a little planning and equipping allow the singlehanded sailor to cope with everything, and reduce the rig's power when conditions are daunting. By ignoring racing rules, (and the thinking behind designs that were only intended to race) you're free to develop, adjust and modify; plus all the flexibility and fun of two or three-sail rigs, are at your fingertips. High boom, too. :encouragement:

 

[Poey50]

The Solo is only 70kgs...is that heavy?

That's hull weight alone. You need to add foils, fittings, spars and sail to get sailing weight, plus weight of trolley for haulage up the beach.

The Hadron H2 is 56 kg hull weight and 76 kg sailing weight. Plus they generally come with a lightweight trolley.

 

[Tam Lin]

Dan, I had forgotten about the swivel, glad it has come in useful, better than just sitting in my “bitza” tin! Your boat looks nice!

 

[Greenheart]

Your boat looks nice!

That's kind of you...to be honest, the splashes of black duct-tape on the gunwale round the foredeck, spoil the picture.

The tape covers holes...I'm still planning to fit an asymmetric kite. Watch this space...it may be ready before midsummer 2023!

But I think my point stands...with a relaxed approach, a biggish, old two-hander can offer the singlehander huge fun, controllable performance, style and comfort, at a tenth the price of newer or higher-tech designs intended for ultimate singlehanded racing.