Opinions and advice on cruising dinghies
While I eventually want to acquire a live aboard boat when my kids are out of school I don't want to wait that long for my first sail boat or to explore places by sail. Taking into consideration budget, time, etc. I have decided that my first boat should be a cruising dinghy that I can trailer to any body of water I want to sail and that I can dry sail store in my garage. If any body has dinghy cruising experience i would like to hear from you about the boat you use and why you chose it.
While I eventually want to acquire a live aboard boat when my kids are out of school I don't want to wait that long for my first sail boat or to explore places by sail. Taking into consideration budget, time, etc. I have decided that my first boat should be a cruising dinghy that I can trailer to any body of water I want to sail and that I can dry sail store in my garage. If any body has dinghy cruising experience i would like to hear from you about the boat you use and why you chose it.
When I was a pup, and that was a lot of years ago, I learned to sail on a Sunfish. And that was on the Great South Bay off Long Island, NY. Ya really gotta learn to sail, and get some considerable experience, before considering a large live aboard. A sunfish (do they still make them?) is a perfect one person, easy to sail, boat. Then I'd suggest moving up a class at a time to bigger more complicated rigs. Just my opinion.
While Ieventually want to acquire a live aboard boat when my kids are outof school I don't want to wait that long for my first sail boat orto explore places by sail. Taking into consideration budget, time,etc. I have decided that my first boat should be a cruising dinghythat I can trailer to any body of water I want to sail and that Ican dry sail store in my garage. If any body has dinghycruising experience i would like to hear from you about the boatyou use and why you chose it.
When I was a pup, and that was a lot of years ago, I learned to
sail on a Sunfish. And that was on the Great South Bay off Long
Island, NY. Ya really gotta learn to sail, and get some
considerable experience, before considering a large live aboard. A
sunfish (do they still make them?) is a perfect one person, easy to
sail, boat. Then I'd suggest moving up a class at a time to bigger
more complicated rigs. Just my opinion.Starting small and working up is reasonable advice and is how the local yacht club runs their training programs. I amactually trying to work backwards since I learned to sail lastsummer through a program for Veterans and they started me out on aJ-24. What I am actually interested in right now are 15' to 21'open boats I can day sail and camp cruise with.
i guess i am not clear on your term 'cruising dingy', do you mean an 8' dinghy with sail that u can carry on deck of 30 or 40' sailboat or tow behind ... or do u mean a 15 to 17 foot 'pocket cruiser' that you could sleep in small cabin and wood still fit in the garage ?a west wright potter, oday mariner, vandesat 17 or siren might do for the pocket cruiser. i don't know much about 8 or 10 footers.
Sorry, should have been more specific. I am referring to 15' to 20' open boats that can take one or two people and enough camping gear for a week maybe even a little longer. Most night would be spend camping on shore but being able to sleep aboard would be an option in some circumstances. An example would be a Norse Boat or Sea Pearl. I have looked at the West Wright Potter on-line and if I were to go with a pocket cruiser that had a cabin it would be on the short list of possible boats.
I have enjoyed using my Snipe sailboat for many years. It was designed as aracing boat, but works well as a daysailer also. It was intended for two people for racing, but does well with four on the daysailing part. It is 15 1/2' long and about 5' at the beam. I have gone on several camping trips with it, and there is ample room to store quite a bit of stuff under the bow and stern areas. enough room on either side of the center board for two ice chests, too.Some of these camping trips lasted 5-6 days, and one went 7, without having to reprovision, except for ice at a marina. Google "Snipe sailboat" to see images of them. It's a sloop rigged boat, and very fast for the wind conditions.
Look on line for a cape cod catboat which is a trail able shallow draft centerboard boat you put the mast in by hand. Brands that build this type are Marshall 18, Sturdee Cat, Com Pak come to mind. The cat rig is simple to rig and easy to use & sail well. The wide shallow hull form makes a seaworthy and surprisingly roomy cabin with big cockpit for a trail able boat in the size range you mention. Sailing & cruising are a lot of fun and offers lots adventure plus you can find the rare empty beach for some nude sun n swimming!
Funny you should mention Cats. Cats and Cat ketches have always caught my eye, which is why the Sea Pearl 21 is one of the boats I really want a chance to sail.
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