Which sailing dinghy

[tyce]

I am going to get my kids (both 6 years old) a sailing dinghy for next year.
What would people recommend for a first time dinghy for kids that age, i was thinking about an optimist, does anyone have any other suggestions.

 

[prv]

When I was young I had a Mirror. I can't really remember how old I was when we got it, but there's a picture of it outside the house we moved from when I was eight, which gives a fair clue. To begin with, my dad and I sailed it, but after a while it was my two-years-younger brother and I, or sometimes me alone with the mast in the forward step.

Just by way of example.

Pete

 

[SHUG]

If you get a Mirror you can teach them to sail by sailing with them. The Optimist is essentialy a single -hander.

 

[VicS]

For young kids to learn to sail themselves an Optimist is a good choice esp if they can join a club that races them. Its a big International class!

Much much cheaper if you can find one is a Prout Puffin but not of course a recognised class http://www.shorebase.co.uk/boating/sailing/puffin/puffin.asp


When older graduate to a Mirror or a Topper

 

[Lakesailor]

If you get a Mirror you can teach them to sail by sailing with them. The Optimist is essentialy a single -hander.

Good point, I would have thought. Seem to be around at £300 complete with trailer at the moment.
Nathan has an excellent Optimist if that draws you. Perhaps he would flog it, being busy like he is.

 

[Seajet]

As you are hopefully able ( ? ) to teach, a Mirror seems a good, safe & cheap option; a sailing school for all and having fun seems a good idea.

 

[VicS]

BTW a good book for kids learning to sail (even for complete novice adults) is the Ladybird "Sailing and boating" Usually a selection available on ebay or even Amazon.

 

[grumpy_o_g]

Mirror or Heron spring to mind if you want to fit in it too. Cadet is OK but a little small for adults. Optimist weighs an awful lot less than a Mirror dinghy so will be easier for them to handle ashore and getting afloat - the smaller rig makes it easier to right too. Thing is, whatever you get them they'll need supervision for a few years yet so, unless you're looking at organised events all the time, you'll need to have some way of getting at them, ideally from a safety boat if they're sailing anywhere tidal or with a decent current.

 

[William_H]

Dinghy

I don't know about your situation re clubs but around here you need to look at the local club. They will provide instruction but will also sail a particular type of dinghy. (or a few types). So if you buy a dinghy then join a club and find it is the wrong type you really have to sell and buy again. The club of course will have a list of dinghies of the right sort to buy.
However if you are going it alone. Keep a look out for ex racing dinghies that are sometimes almost given away.
For my opinion a bigger boat is better as you can sail with them. Being heavier things happen just a little more slowly and there is room to move about easier. I would go for one with side tank buoyancy. This means that the boat can tip a lot further before water pours in. Best really is the type where it is virtually all buoyancy. Although this makes for less room to move under boom.
Just take it slowly and carefully. Kids can be easily put off. When I was teaching kids I reckoned 9yo is a good age but even then some older kids got put off and younger ones sometimes take to it easily. If you are going to teach them and not go in the boat you will need a powered dinghy to follow them. good luck olewill

 

[capetown]

You don't mention your budget, or if you are to be with them, but all as above, only to add a Topper, Miracle and a Blue Peter.

All can be had for under £500.

Kids are very quick learners, so you shouldn't lose too much when you sell, when they want something fast.

 

[tyce]

Thanks all for excellent replys, i would be teaching them as there are no clubs that teach nearby but we have plenty of access to sheltered bays.
Budget would be 500 tops.
I must admit i had forgotten about the Mirror and had latched on to the optie but as has been pointed out i think the Mirror or similar makes alot of sense as i can go with them.
Are Mirrors a dinghy you are likely to get many dunkings in or are they quite hard to flip?
Again thanks for all the advice, my plan is to have it sat on the drive for them on Christmas day as a total surprise.

 

[Neil_Y]

My old 14? it will last them a few years and it's under budget by £150
http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/photos/?s=64&PID=59721

 

[splashman237]

I am going to get my kids (both 6 years old) a sailing dinghy for next year.
What would people recommend for a first time dinghy for kids that age, i was thinking about an optimist, does anyone have any other suggestions.

The dinghy progression for many clubs and training seems to be Optimist -Topper - Feva. The oppies come in several forms , a basic molded model with simple sail, (which can be reefed when needed), then a lighter racing oppie which they progress to remarkably quicky if they get into racing . You can get two in an oppie but its not very comfy and not if your big, the topper is a bit better but they are too young at mo to sail it weight wise. Would suggest you go along to a local club and ask what they use and see if they would let your kids try out the two.

 

[Searush]

(snip)
Are Mirrors a dinghy you are likely to get many dunkings in or are they quite hard to flip?
Again thanks for all the advice, my plan is to have it sat on the drive for them on Christmas day as a total surprise.

Mirrors are quite hard to turn over - but not impossible. Incompetence makes it much easier, whatever the boat.

I would make the early outings a "jolly" rather than a lesson. Take a picnic & go somewhere. Given you are near the Lakes, try a Swallows & Amazons picnic on an island or beach across the lake. Perhps have a football with you!

The point is make it fun so they want to go again, but get them involved in sailing her, let 'em have a sheet each - I presume they are twins & will be very competetive & so will be trying to outdo the other one on each tack. Later let 'em take turns at "being skipper" with you still in the boat.

When they go out on their own, make sure they agree who is skipper this time before they go, an argument on a small sailing dinghy is not a good idea!

 

[prv]

Are Mirrors a dinghy you are likely to get many dunkings in or are they quite hard to flip?

I don't remember capsizing mine. I probably did, but it can't have been very often.

Pete

 

[Pye_End]

Topaz. Topper. Can put 2 or 1 in each.

 

[VicS]

Are Mirrors a dinghy you are likely to get many dunkings in or are they quite hard to flip?

I have capsized my Mirror quite a number of times but never unintentionally.
Generally a very safe stable boat

They are very buoyant but when capsized do have a tendency to go completely upside down, but not difficult to right again.

The kids will find it a dull thing to sail if they fancy a bit of excitement once have learned to sail and are a bit older Toppers are more fun for teenagers

 

[Lakesailor]

Mirrors aren't as popular in clubs now, but the kids are only 6 and Tyce isn't in the heart of the lakes so racing may not even be on the agenda.

Two 6 year olds in a dinghy would be better with the instructor on board, to my mind.

 

[Avocet]

I can heartily recommend a Heron - essentially, a Mirror with a pointy bow and spray deck, so you can tuck a picnic & spare clothes under there and keep them reasonably dry. Bit too big for two small lads, but you could go out with them. Very stable little boats (but not quick). Whereabouts in Cumbria are you? PM me if you want to have a look at a Heron. We usually go on Derwentwater with it - my lads are 6 and 8, and the multitude of little islands are great places to picnic / adventure.

 

[ianat182]

I agree with most of the options offered here and suggest that a scow type clinker dinghy in wood or GRP may also suit the requirement; some have a small jib, others none, most with either gunter rig or a lugsail mainsail, beamy and hard to capsize; they are more plentiful here on the South coast at Keyhaven,Lymington ,Yarmouth and Seaview,each with slightly different characteristics but keenly raced, often singlehanded and are cherished by their owners. All are about 10-11 ft in length and about 110lbs weight similar to the Mirror.
The Miracle dinghy mentioned is the faster boat of the Mirror class, better performer and roomier for additional crew for tuition, but not as many built as the Mirror itself.

ianat182