Quest to find the right Dingy

[Time Theory]

It is bad for carbon-fibre masts to be left in the sunlight and it is bad for boats to be blown over in a storm, tie them down. Other than that, it is normal to leave boats rigged. Sails don't like to be left in UV too long e.g. you can furl a jib during a regatta to save time but don't leave it like that all summer.

Very good to hear. At the sail club most everyone leaves their mast up.

 

[Time Theory]

Cannot get any simplier than Rocket, Recreational Sunfish, Aqua Finn, or SOL. All Lateen rigged, no control lines other than mainsheet. Although, to my understanding, as you're considering Laser or Mc Scow, you mustn't be worried about having to mess with mainsheet traveller, cunningham, boom vang, outhaul and such anyhow - but still, hear me out...

Here's my recommendation. Mc Scow and Sunfish Race. Yes, both! When you don't have crew, take the Sunfish for a ride. If you have crew, then the Mc Scow is the boat to pick. I say this, because an extra Sunfish shouldn't break the bank if bought used. However, I don't know if a used Laser can be bought as cheap as a used Sunfish. That being said, if storage space or money is no issue, then why not having both Mc Scow and Laser in your garage?

I don't think twin bilgeboards will cause many issues. There is no keel to maintain; the complications shall be at minimum. The only issue I can think of is righting the Mc Scow singlehanded in case of a capsize when water is choppy. I, personally, wouldn't sail it without crew unless expecting a 'milk run.'

I had not considered the Sunfish. Something to think about. How does the Sunfish do on coastal waters? The only problem with two boats is the expense. Especially in storage.

 

[Cod]

...How does the Sunfish do on coastal waters?...

 

[Blaise]

That Weta is a new one on me. It looks like loads of fun.

It is a lot of fun, both single handed and with a crew. Going back to the initial constraints, I did not suggest a WETA because it is definitely not dry... I know that some people have built spray guards, though.

 

[dogwatch]

I’m not sure any dinghy could be called dry. Ok, some are wetter than others.

 

[Dillon Waltner]

The Rocket seems to be the way to go. However, that price seems kinda steep. I know that the Sunfish is not that fast. Does it accommodate two people.

I've sailed my Rocket with 2 adults and a kid. I wouldn't call it comfortable, and your passengers need to be ok with being told where to sit and when, but it is eminently doable. Another of Rocket's neat tricks is that you can rig the mainsheet for aft sheeting, which gets it out of the way of passengers, as shown in the photo below:

 

[John D]

No, The MC is primiarly a lake and river boat even though there are sailors that will swear that they've sailed theirs in oceans with 35 mph winds and camped out on it for weeks on end.
You had better put a bio on your intended crew as it keeps coming up. Age, fitness, sailing experience etc.

 

[tillerman]

I know that the Sunfish is not that fast. Does it accommodate two people.

The Sunfish is usually sailed singlehanded but it works for two adults if you are very good friends. Paul McCartney has been spotted wooing at least two of his future wives on his Sunfish.

 

[ILYAScow]

Sir Paul!!

 

[Time Theory]

I Luv this.. When you think of wealthy musicians you would never expect to see one on a Sunfish. I think that photo speaks volumes of the type person Paul is. Thanks for posting.

 

[tillerman]

I Luv this.. When you think of wealthy musicians you would never expect to see one on a Sunfish. I think that photo speaks volumes of the type person Paul is. Thanks for posting.

Indeed. Heather Mills is quoted as saying that Paul wooed her by offering to take her for a ride on his boat. She didn't quite know what to expect but assumed it would be some kind of luxury yacht. However, her future husband showed up at the beach sailing a Sunfish to take her out for a cozy sail for two, and that was when he won her heart.

 

[Xeon]

Indeed. Heather Mills is quoted as saying that Paul wooed her by offering to take her for a ride on his boat. She didn't quite know what to expect but assumed it would be some kind of luxury yacht. However, her future husband showed up at the beach sailing a Sunfish to take her out for a cozy sail for two, and that was when he won her heart.

Paul is definitely a long time Sunfish sailor and had/has one at his American house.
But not sure I would believe anything Heather says or even she has a heart lol 😂 # gold digger/ bunny boiler.
As proved in the divorce court. Paul offered a very generous divorce settlement . But she wanted half of this fortune, so it went to court.
She was awarded about 20% of what he had originally offered, mostly because she was such a bad/ unreliable witness.

 

[Bill5]

Paul is definitely a long time Sunfish sailor and had/has one at his American house.
But not sure I would believe anything Heather says or even she has a heart lol 😂 # gold digger/ bunny boiler.
As proved in the divorce court. Paul offered a very generous divorce settlement . But she wanted half of this fortune, so it went to court.
She was awarded about 20% of what he had originally offered, mostly because she was such a bad/ unreliable witness.

Paul and John Lennon shared a boat as well. It was a yellow submarine. They had Ringo tune it.

 

[Xeon]

Ringo might have been a good drummer but as a singer the last think anyone would have ever called him was tune full .😂😂😀😀

 

[Steam Flyer]

Ringo might have been a good drummer but as a singer the last think anyone would have ever called him was tune full .😂😂😀😀

Sure, but he got by with a little help from his friends.

 

[tillerman]

It's not widely known that John Lennon fulfilled a lifelong ambition by learning how to sail in early 1980 and that in June of that year, accompanied by a small crew, he sailed a 43-foot sloop from Newport to Bermuda.

https://beatle.wordpress.com/2007/01/11/john-lennon-the-sailor-whatever-gets-you-through-the-storm/

 

[Time Theory]

What is your experience level? Laser sail is not that simple. Lots of lines to shape the sail. I am glad to see you're seeking a Sunfish now. You can add a Race rigging after you master, and then one day you can upgrade to a laser.

Thanks for asking... Unfortunately I took up sailing later in life, in my mid 50's. I took the ASA class that did their training on a Capri 22. I have crewed on a DS II, and Flying Scot. What I would like to find is a boat that is in good shape, easy to rig (raising the mast by myself) and at times have two people aboard. I started out thinking an MC Scow or Laser but this thread has me thinking in terms of a Sunfish.

 

[Time Theory]

You're good for MC Scow or Laser. I'm afraid, you might get bored of Sunfish fast. Laser would be fantastic for you, but in my opinion, they are a tad overpriced as there are lots of Laser fleets racing. The question here might be, what dinghy is comparable to Laser and hasn't got many fleets around. That way you might get into one at a better price - as you are not planning to race anyhow.

The reason I was leaning towards the Sunfish was due to the ease of set up and launching. I could keep the boat on a dolly and not worry about having a tow vehicle. With an MC, I would need a better vehicle. It is my understanding that it takes longer to rig a laser and the build quality of the hull is not as good as the Sunfish.