Discussion
I tried sailing a few years ago. As a great lover of the water, I have had numerous power boats, jetskis, Kayaks etc.
When I decided I wanted to learn to sail. I purchased a 14ft Wanderer and a friend who knows a lot more than me came out with me for the first sailing trip. I put a small outboard on the back of the wanderer, to help get me out of the creek and into open water.
It was a big disaster, the short version of the story is we managed to capsize it and the mast got stuck in the mud. Meaning that two of us standing on the daggerboard wouldnt turn the boat over. It did finally turn over eventually. Because the outboard had been upside down and underwater, it obviously wouldnt start, so we were sitting in the boat, which was like a bath tub, bailing the water out when a guy came along in a speed boat and asked if we needed help.
YES I said, he towed us back to the slip.
Within two hours I had the boat home, cleaned and on Ebay having decided sailing wasnt for me.
Since then, I have been watching this guy on Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/user/msf60khz/videos
Dinghy Cruising eh? Sounds great!
I really like how he has made a tent, so he can go off on little adventure. We have done similar things with our Kayaks.
So, maybe the Wanderer was a bit too beyond my skills and obviously a bit bigger and with bigger sails. The Mirror looks slow and steady which is exactly what I want. My wife is unimpressed that I am trying this again. But there is a little Mirror for sale near me for £400.
My question is..
Is the Mirror a slow steady boat?
I want something I can launch and use on my own.
I am going to do my RYA at my local sailing club (Brightlingsea) when the lockdown ends.
When I decided I wanted to learn to sail. I purchased a 14ft Wanderer and a friend who knows a lot more than me came out with me for the first sailing trip. I put a small outboard on the back of the wanderer, to help get me out of the creek and into open water.
It was a big disaster, the short version of the story is we managed to capsize it and the mast got stuck in the mud. Meaning that two of us standing on the daggerboard wouldnt turn the boat over. It did finally turn over eventually. Because the outboard had been upside down and underwater, it obviously wouldnt start, so we were sitting in the boat, which was like a bath tub, bailing the water out when a guy came along in a speed boat and asked if we needed help.
YES I said, he towed us back to the slip.
Within two hours I had the boat home, cleaned and on Ebay having decided sailing wasnt for me.
Since then, I have been watching this guy on Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/user/msf60khz/videos
Dinghy Cruising eh? Sounds great!
I really like how he has made a tent, so he can go off on little adventure. We have done similar things with our Kayaks.
So, maybe the Wanderer was a bit too beyond my skills and obviously a bit bigger and with bigger sails. The Mirror looks slow and steady which is exactly what I want. My wife is unimpressed that I am trying this again. But there is a little Mirror for sale near me for £400.
My question is..
Is the Mirror a slow steady boat?
I want something I can launch and use on my own.
I am going to do my RYA at my local sailing club (Brightlingsea) when the lockdown ends.
I had to google a wanderer to see what one was.
I think you might find the Mirror a bit small for 2 adults on a day out, but it's good size for a one person operation I reckon it'll be faster than the wanderer as well.
Speed isn't your problem though, skill is. You appear to be addressing that with the lessons, so good on you.
I used to sail a lot as a kid but have barely done any in the last 20 years. I used to race a Mirror and I really loved it, great little boat and being made of plywood it was easy and fun to repair/work on.
I think you might find the Mirror a bit small for 2 adults on a day out, but it's good size for a one person operation I reckon it'll be faster than the wanderer as well.
Speed isn't your problem though, skill is. You appear to be addressing that with the lessons, so good on you.
I used to sail a lot as a kid but have barely done any in the last 20 years. I used to race a Mirror and I really loved it, great little boat and being made of plywood it was easy and fun to repair/work on.
If you learn to sail in something that gets you wet when you get it wrong, you tend to learn quickly! It teaches you how to handle a boat and read the wind.
I did Mirrors at school- a looooonge time ago. That started the interest. Started crewing on an Enterprise on Hornsea Mere, then after more years break a GP14 for sailing with my family.
Learning on a small craft made the step up to yachts very easy. You can't capsize 46 foot yacht easily much to the misses relief. She doesn't like to spill the gin.
We can now sail a dinghy and I have Day Skipper, ,Son has Comp Crew and 1/2 Skipper done, and we sailed the Saronic Islands last year on our own.
Very rewarding.
I did Mirrors at school- a looooonge time ago. That started the interest. Started crewing on an Enterprise on Hornsea Mere, then after more years break a GP14 for sailing with my family.
Learning on a small craft made the step up to yachts very easy. You can't capsize 46 foot yacht easily much to the misses relief. She doesn't like to spill the gin.
We can now sail a dinghy and I have Day Skipper, ,Son has Comp Crew and 1/2 Skipper done, and we sailed the Saronic Islands last year on our own.
Very rewarding.
The Mirror is a small boat and with 2 adults i feel you would find it cramped and it would sit low in the water. Storage would also be an issue.
A dinghy around 14ft would sound ideal and give enough space and performance.
A RYA course sounds like a great idea and once you buy a boat you could always sail on the mainsail and not with jib if on your own.
The wander sounded idea and have an optional steel centerboard for extra stability
Do the course and then buy the boat, mirrors are not hard to find as loads where built
A dinghy around 14ft would sound ideal and give enough space and performance.
A RYA course sounds like a great idea and once you buy a boat you could always sail on the mainsail and not with jib if on your own.
The wander sounded idea and have an optional steel centerboard for extra stability
Do the course and then buy the boat, mirrors are not hard to find as loads where built
Did some googling and you can still buy them new! https://www.tridentuk.com/gb/boats-and-catalogues/...
If a safe, steady 'cruising' dinghy is what you are after, then I don't think the Mirror will fit the bill.
As others have said, completing a dinghy course will give you more confidence and then start considering what it is you want out of sailing.
One of these would fit the bill for a bit of enclosed water camping/cruising although I appreciate are a lot more money than your present budget. I used to own a Coastal version and can vouch for their quality and stability, and with it being a gaffer, satisfied my itch for something with a traditional rig!
https://www.characterboats.co.uk/lytham-pilot-12-6...
As others have said, completing a dinghy course will give you more confidence and then start considering what it is you want out of sailing.
One of these would fit the bill for a bit of enclosed water camping/cruising although I appreciate are a lot more money than your present budget. I used to own a Coastal version and can vouch for their quality and stability, and with it being a gaffer, satisfied my itch for something with a traditional rig!
https://www.characterboats.co.uk/lytham-pilot-12-6...
I think you had the right boat, just a lack of skill / experience. The Wanderer should make an excellent cruising dinghy.
The RYA course will teach you what to do when you capsize, which is likely to happen at some point.
The guy in the last youtube series is the president of the Dinghy Cruising Association.
https://www.dinghycruising.org.uk/
What I'd be interested in is what they do with their trailers when the go sailing for a weekend. I'd be worried that when it comes to going home someone would have nicked my trailer.
The RYA course will teach you what to do when you capsize, which is likely to happen at some point.
The guy in the last youtube series is the president of the Dinghy Cruising Association.
https://www.dinghycruising.org.uk/
What I'd be interested in is what they do with their trailers when the go sailing for a weekend. I'd be worried that when it comes to going home someone would have nicked my trailer.
Fittster said:
I think you had the right boat, just a lack of skill / experience. The Wanderer should make an excellent cruising dinghy.
The RYA course will teach you what to do when you capsize, which is likely to happen at some point.
The guy in the last youtube series is the president of the Dinghy Cruising Association.
https://www.dinghycruising.org.uk/
What I'd be interested in is what they do with their trailers when the go sailing for a weekend. I'd be worried that when it comes to going home someone would have nicked my trailer.
One of the biggest issues, whatever dinghy, is people nicking your trailer whether that be the launch trolley or the road trailer!! Irritating to say the least!The RYA course will teach you what to do when you capsize, which is likely to happen at some point.
The guy in the last youtube series is the president of the Dinghy Cruising Association.
https://www.dinghycruising.org.uk/
What I'd be interested in is what they do with their trailers when the go sailing for a weekend. I'd be worried that when it comes to going home someone would have nicked my trailer.
The best option, if coastal sailing solo, is to get the 'other half' (or a good friend) to take the trailer home and bring it to wherever you end up.
There's no easy option, except the above, IMO.
There have been some amazing adventures in small boats - https://www.soundingsonline.com/boats/a-madman-in-...
I think a Mirror is a little on the small side for relaxing in to be honest, if found when creek crawling at a slow pace it nice to be able to stretch out a bit! I would say an Enterprise or Wayfarer would be a good size and still cheap, plus can sail competently.
I think a Mirror is a little on the small side for relaxing in to be honest, if found when creek crawling at a slow pace it nice to be able to stretch out a bit! I would say an Enterprise or Wayfarer would be a good size and still cheap, plus can sail competently.
Have a read of Sailing just for fun by A C Stock who built his own boat from a kit and sailed it all over the Thames estuary without a engine, VHF or GPS and Dylan Winters adventures in a small boat titled Keep turning left are on utube and worth a watch too.
Do get some training and experience 'tho before you go it alone.
Brightlingsea would be a great place to learn to sail and the river Colne is lovely if you get the tides spot on but out of the shelter of Brightlingsea harbour and the Colne a sunny afternoon sail in a small boat on the Thames estuary can suddenly bite you really hard in the arse with nothing more than a slight increase in wind speed or change of tide.
Do get some training and experience 'tho before you go it alone.
Brightlingsea would be a great place to learn to sail and the river Colne is lovely if you get the tides spot on but out of the shelter of Brightlingsea harbour and the Colne a sunny afternoon sail in a small boat on the Thames estuary can suddenly bite you really hard in the arse with nothing more than a slight increase in wind speed or change of tide.
pequod said:
If a safe, steady 'cruising' dinghy is what you are after, then I don't think the Mirror will fit the bill.
As others have said, completing a dinghy course will give you more confidence and then start considering what it is you want out of sailing.
One of these would fit the bill for a bit of enclosed water camping/cruising although I appreciate are a lot more money than your present budget. I used to own a Coastal version and can vouch for their quality and stability, and with it being a gaffer, satisfied my itch for something with a traditional rig!
https://www.characterboats.co.uk/lytham-pilot-12-6...
Sorry, not sure I follow. Are you saying a Mirror isnt a boat ot offer safe, steady crusing, but the £10k boat will?As others have said, completing a dinghy course will give you more confidence and then start considering what it is you want out of sailing.
One of these would fit the bill for a bit of enclosed water camping/cruising although I appreciate are a lot more money than your present budget. I used to own a Coastal version and can vouch for their quality and stability, and with it being a gaffer, satisfied my itch for something with a traditional rig!
https://www.characterboats.co.uk/lytham-pilot-12-6...
My missus has already had a go at me for yet another fad. At least with a £400 boat, the damage is minimal
lost in espace said:
I found that earlier on, YT popped it up after one of the other videos I was watching. I am really enjoying watching peoples little advertures. Fittster said:
I think you had the right boat, just a lack of skill / experience. The Wanderer should make an excellent cruising dinghy.
The RYA course will teach you what to do when you capsize, which is likely to happen at some point.
The guy in the last youtube series is the president of the Dinghy Cruising Association.
https://www.dinghycruising.org.uk/
What I'd be interested in is what they do with their trailers when the go sailing for a weekend. I'd be worried that when it comes to going home someone would have nicked my trailer.
I'm pretty sure we were doing the right thing turning the boat over. I would be interested to hear from my experienced sailors if there is something more specific you do when your mast and sail is 1m into mud and wont budge. The RYA course will teach you what to do when you capsize, which is likely to happen at some point.
The guy in the last youtube series is the president of the Dinghy Cruising Association.
https://www.dinghycruising.org.uk/
What I'd be interested in is what they do with their trailers when the go sailing for a weekend. I'd be worried that when it comes to going home someone would have nicked my trailer.
That website looks very good thank you.
Every boat and jetski I have gone out in has always had the trailer just parked up, or hitched to my car. I have never had a trailer stolen. Have I just been lucky? I agree it would be a concern and a massive issue if someone did steal it though!
J3JCV said:
There have been some amazing adventures in small boats - https://www.soundingsonline.com/boats/a-madman-in-...
I think a Mirror is a little on the small side for relaxing in to be honest, if found when creek crawling at a slow pace it nice to be able to stretch out a bit! I would say an Enterprise or Wayfarer would be a good size and still cheap, plus can sail competently.
I dont disagree with you, but I would like to prove to myself that I will stick with this with a cheaper boat and progress. My hope and whole point of my post was to hopefully confirm that a Mirror is an easy boat to learn in. I liked that it was alround and I can row it, sail it, or stick a small outboard on it. I think a Mirror is a little on the small side for relaxing in to be honest, if found when creek crawling at a slow pace it nice to be able to stretch out a bit! I would say an Enterprise or Wayfarer would be a good size and still cheap, plus can sail competently.
I sailed a Mirror well over 40 years ago - and much preferred the racier Cadet. They were both aimed at early-mid teen children as an introduction to sailing. The Mirror had an annoying little wooden sill edge which was uncomfortable if you needed to lean out - whereas the Cadet was smooth and had bands to keep your feet under. I think the next step up was an Enterprise, which I remember sailing as a teenager.
These are very old designs. The even younger children's version was the Optimist, which really did look like a bath tub with a small sail
These are very old designs. The even younger children's version was the Optimist, which really did look like a bath tub with a small sail
andyb28 said:
pequod said:
If a safe, steady 'cruising' dinghy is what you are after, then I don't think the Mirror will fit the bill.
As others have said, completing a dinghy course will give you more confidence and then start considering what it is you want out of sailing.
One of these would fit the bill for a bit of enclosed water camping/cruising although I appreciate are a lot more money than your present budget. I used to own a Coastal version and can vouch for their quality and stability, and with it being a gaffer, satisfied my itch for something with a traditional rig!
https://www.characterboats.co.uk/lytham-pilot-12-6...
Sorry, not sure I follow. Are you saying a Mirror isnt a boat ot offer safe, steady crusing, but the £10k boat will?As others have said, completing a dinghy course will give you more confidence and then start considering what it is you want out of sailing.
One of these would fit the bill for a bit of enclosed water camping/cruising although I appreciate are a lot more money than your present budget. I used to own a Coastal version and can vouch for their quality and stability, and with it being a gaffer, satisfied my itch for something with a traditional rig!
https://www.characterboats.co.uk/lytham-pilot-12-6...
My missus has already had a go at me for yet another fad. At least with a £400 boat, the damage is minimal
If you believe a Mirror dinghy will suit your purpose then go and buy it. However it's clear you are very inexperienced, even as a crew, so a course in dinghy sailing would be the best start to understanding the art of sailing.
HTH
pequod said:
I was suggesting an alternative design, not going out to buy a brand new one! There has been a few for sale at a fraction of the new price but you have to track them down!!
If you believe a Mirror dinghy will suit your purpose then go and buy it. However it's clear you are very inexperienced, even as a crew, so a course in dinghy sailing would be the best start to understanding the art of sailing.
HTH
I am positive you are right. This will hopefully be an evolution / progression.If you believe a Mirror dinghy will suit your purpose then go and buy it. However it's clear you are very inexperienced, even as a crew, so a course in dinghy sailing would be the best start to understanding the art of sailing.
HTH
Have a read of
The Dinghy Cruising Companion by Roger Barnes. He’s pretty much the guru when it comes to cruising. Although he uses a beautiful old wooden Ilur.
The book is great read, from selecting boats to planning, application of techniques intermixed with his personal anecdotes.
The Dinghy Cruising Companion by Roger Barnes. He’s pretty much the guru when it comes to cruising. Although he uses a beautiful old wooden Ilur.
The book is great read, from selecting boats to planning, application of techniques intermixed with his personal anecdotes.
Edited by MB140 on Wednesday 29th April 20:22
pequod said:
I'm pretty sure we were doing the right thing turning the boat over. I would be interested to hear from my experienced sailors if there is something more specific you do when your mast and sail is 1m into mud and wont budge.
If you get stuck like that everybody quickly jumps in which lightens the boat. Using a combination of waves and brute force swim the hull round to a angle where the wind or tide is helping you pull the mast out of the mud rather then pushing it further in. Once it's free then right the boat as usual. Unless you've swum the bow into the wind before you do that the sails will fill straight away so take care it doesn't go straight back over again.
If it's really gone in a metre though probably all you can do is wait for the rescue boat...
Gassing Station | Boats, Planes & Trains | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff