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Sailing Dinghy Forum


My sons first dinghy - any ideas?

DustDevil

24 November 2005 15:44:25

Joined: 17 November 2005 15:34:07 | Posts: 8

I am looking for a starter boat for my 12 year old son - i started out in an old mirror but there are so many dinghy boats on the market.

BTW - i would like it to be GRP because i no what damage i did to my first boat. Like father like son!!

Thanks for your help
Quote > Reply >

Re: My sons first dinghy - any ideas?

philhopson

26 November 2005 20:41:44

Joined: 26 November 2005 20:19:19 | Posts: 1

DustDevil wrote:I am looking for a starter boat for my 12 year old son - i started out in an old mirror but there are so many dinghy boats on the market.

BTW - i would like it to be GRP because i no what damage i did to my first boat. Like father like son!!

Thanks for your help


Hi
Ive just sold my 60's Mirror to a family who are learning to sail - as you say you have had a mirror - and so will understand the many virtues and problems they may have - so I will reconmend a GRP Mirror if you can finance one - otherwise ive found Toppers to be pretty good boats to teach people to sail in. - Try ebay for some really cheap ones (oh yeah - and theyachtmarket.com!)

Best Wishes + Good Luck

Phil Hopson
FAIR WINDS
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Re: My sons first dinghy - any ideas?

DustDevil

27 November 2005 12:20:52

Joined: 17 November 2005 15:34:07 | Posts: 8

Thanks for that - do you think a Topper is a bit more advanced than the mirror? I know that i can us a old salt lake in Lymington - but i am not sure that i would be happy to see him out and about on the sea...

I think i am a bit over protective of him!! The high sided mirror makes me feel better if you know what i mean. Do they make a new GRP Mirror?

Thanks for your help


philhopson wrote:
DustDevil wrote:I am looking for a starter boat for my 12 year old son - i started out in an old mirror but there are so many dinghy boats on the market.

BTW - i would like it to be GRP because i no what damage i did to my first boat. Like father like son!!

Thanks for your help


Hi
Ive just sold my 60's Mirror to a family who are learning to sail - as you say you have had a mirror - and so will understand the many virtues and problems they may have - so I will reconmend a GRP Mirror if you can finance one - otherwise ive found Toppers to be pretty good boats to teach people to sail in. - Try ebay for some really cheap ones (oh yeah - and theyachtmarket.com!)

Best Wishes + Good Luck

Phil Hopson
Quote > Reply >

Re: My sons first dinghy - any ideas?

Anonymous user

22 April 2006 22:20:45

Joined: Unknown | Posts: Unknown

Sorry for the delay in writing back - its phil here again!

Yes they do make a GRP Mirror - company called Trident UK sell them I believe.
To be totally honest there is little difference between a topper and a Mirror - altho the Topper is probably a little safer as it does not have stays to cut yourself on - nor as much rigging to get tangled in if in worse case you were to turn it turtle....

Theyre both equally nice little boats - probably worth trying sailing both - see what he feels most comfortable with :)

Best wishes + FAIR WINDS

Phil
Quote > Reply >

Re: My sons first dinghy - any ideas?

Anonymous user

15 June 2007 10:31:04

Joined: Unknown | Posts: Unknown

I would recommend a laser easy to sail, GRP, stable, simple, But the other advantage is that you can add additional items to the boat to improve the performance, look etc. A really good all rounder, and also Laser part are widely avalible.
Quote > Reply >

My sons first dinghy - any ideas?

Anonymous user

29 June 2007 11:54:38

Joined: Unknown | Posts: Unknown

I would recommend a laser easy to sail, GRP, stable, simple, But the other advantage is that you can add additional items to the boat to improve the performance, look etc. A really good all rounder, and also Laser part are widely avalible.


I agree fab boats!
Quote > Reply >

Re: My sons first dinghy - any ideas?

Anonymous user

12 March 2008 09:42:58

Joined: Unknown | Posts: Unknown

Hi I have a mirror dinghy (grp) and am interested in selling it to upgrade.
It is in very good condition.
Quote > Reply >

Re: My sons first dinghy - any ideas?

Anonymous user

12 March 2008 09:50:24

Joined: Unknown | Posts: Unknown

Hi I have a mirror dinghy (grp) and am interested in selling it to upgrade.
It is in very good condition.

Dan
Quote > Reply >

Re: My sons first dinghy - any ideas?

Anonymous user

30 April 2008 12:58:33

Joined: Unknown | Posts: Unknown

I have sailed in laser pico, mirror, and topper. Out of the three i would recommend the laser as a beginers boat. It is easy to rig and can have the added bonus of a jib, the only issue is that when it heels to much the leward side digs in and turns the boat. The topper is a good boat but soon becomes repetetive although it is very safe. The mirror is a fantastic boat (i have an old wooden one myself) it is more complicated with its spinaker and jib but can be far more rewarding. well theres your options now you choose :)
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Re: My sons first dinghy - any ideas?

Anonymous user

30 April 2008 15:43:12

Joined: Unknown | Posts: Unknown

Toppers will give your son some "tunable" aspects to his sailing - more ropes to tweak when he starts getting used to it - in my eyes (and my club's) this makes it a better development boat than the pico.

I'd not consider a mirror - fine in their day, but there are bigger classes of topper / more choice about.

re: Laser - a full blown one ?? too big unless you can get a radial rig...
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Re: My sons first dinghy - any ideas?

Anonymous user

30 September 2008 07:26:31

Joined: Unknown | Posts: Unknown

Hi I am 15 years old ive moved onto a laser radial, and i have been with toppers since I was 7. I would recommend a topper because they are very stable, highly customisable, and dont neet much maintenance, and exiting to plane.
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Re: My sons first dinghy - any ideas?

Captain1

06 October 2008 12:36:16

Joined: 06 October 2008 11:39:30 | Posts: 10

A Sunsseker peditor!! LOL that will get him going.
Chandlery Dealer.com
The Worlds Local Chandlery dealer!
Electronics, Ropes, Boat care, Boat transportation etc,
we will beat any quote!
www.chandlerydealer.com
Quote > Reply >

Re: My sons first dinghy - any ideas?

Anonymous user

02 March 2009 21:46:44

Joined: Unknown | Posts: Unknown

Topper
Quote > Reply >

Re: My sons first dinghy - any ideas?

dinghy4sale

10 April 2009 20:35:55

Joined: 16 July 2008 00:19:03 | Posts: 4

I think a grp mirror would give any kid lots of fun when learning to sail. The mirror is well proven and safe for young children.

Getting one is also fairly easy as there are plenty for sail at really cheap prices, second hand. New ones could be bought from Tridents.

You could even get the children involved if you bought a kit from them. This way they will have more 'ownership' when it is complete and out in the water.

Hope this is useful.

Ian
Quote > Reply >

Re: My sons first dinghy - any ideas?

Anonymous user

12 May 2009 19:24:37

Joined: Unknown | Posts: Unknown

Hi
just wondering if you got around to selling your grp mirror as i,m looking for one
thanks
doug
Quote > Reply >

Re: My sons first dinghy - any ideas?

Anonymous user

20 December 2009 22:56:05

Joined: Unknown | Posts: Unknown

if you are thinking of sailing at salterns dont its not open to any boat
re a boat to buy have much have you to spent cheapest about £300 but need to spent £850-£1000 for something ok
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Re: My sons first dinghy - any ideas?

Anonymous user

09 January 2010 17:04:25

Joined: Unknown | Posts: Unknown

topper all the way been sailing them for years and just bought my own for £250 i love it wouldnt change it for a brand new one exelent boat never too expensive for a good one
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