What dinghy sailboat should I buy?

[dogwatch]

Hey! I wanna get into sailing. I'm 52, in good shape, but I am not going to be an athlete after this point. Still, I have no interest in keelboats - I don't want to pay for a dock, or buy a V6 for trailering. I would like to start on a dinghy sailboat that I can solo - and don't find myself in water every 5 minutes. All I know about sailing is the books / articles I've read and videos I've watched online. Laser, Sunfish, this and that are all nice, but I'd rather have less action and more dry experience. I know I am looking for a unicorn. I am here to hear some ideas. By the way, I am in RI but willing to travel nearby states just for sailing. Also, I'd like to avoid sailing clubs if I could. Thanks in advance.

What do you want to do? Race or potter?

Avoiding sailing clubs isn't really a great plan for dinghy sailing, as some safety boat cover is a good idea and it's clubs or schools that provide that. With a bit of experience, most of us would sail without a safety boat in the right conditions, because we know the right conditions, but it isn't a great idea for beginners. On a windsurfer, you can wash up randomly onto the beach so long as the breeze is onshore but do the same in a dinghy and you are into damage.

 

[Dart96]

Fsh, you are an ideal fit for this: https://www.hobie.com/kayaks/mirage-tandem-island/
Go buy one, you won't capsize, if the wind drops you can pedal home and take a friend/dog/BBQ
They work well and keep their resale value if you look after them.

 

[Fsh]

Fsh, you are an ideal fit for this: https://www.hobie.com/kayaks/mirage-tandem-island/
Go buy one, you won't capsize, if the wind drops you can pedal home and take a friend/dog/BBQ
They work well and keep their resale value if you look after them.

WindRider 17 was a good one.

 

[Fsh]

I'll go with a Rocket. Cartoppable, easy sails, fast, and singlehanded fun. Yes, wet, and that's where I'll compromise. Thank you all.

 

[Dillon Waltner]

Man, wow! I've just found out about that boat here, and you commented this.

Well, you're in RI and they are made right in East Providence. I own one, and the Rocket is a great boat for all levels of experience, but don't expect to stay dry.

 

[Dillon Waltner]

I'll go with a Rocket. Cartoppable, easy sails, fast, and singlehanded fun. Yes, wet, and that's where I'll compromise. Thank you all.

There is a Facebook group devoted to the Rocket if you'd like to talk to some owners and get more detailed information about the boat. Dave Clark (president of Fulcrum) is a member and participates pretty regularly.

Fulcrum Rocket Sailboat Owners | Facebook

This is a group for owners and prospective buyers of the new Fulcrum Speedworks Rocket sailboat to share information, stories, and photos/videos of their Rocket sailboat, and promote the hobby of...

www.facebook.com

 

[Fsh]

but don't expect to stay dry.

I've put some thought into this. The moment I lean toward the 'drier' keel boat options, the displacement exceeds 500lb, which means the need for a ramp, a powerful ride, possibly a small outboard, a second-hand - while launching at least -, and the list goes on. And if I ever wanted to take the dinghy path, the only issue in my requirements list was the no wet ride wish - so, I got rid of it. Still, I don't care much about Laser or Sunfish.

Now, I have a few boats to pick from. And I've picked the Rocket. There is also Weta in my mind as a second option. And.... Well, that's pretty much it, I assume. Was an easy decision.

 

[sunseeker]

I've put some thought into this. The moment I lean toward the 'drier' keel boat options, the displacement exceeds 500lb, which means the need for a ramp, a powerful ride, possibly a small outboard, a second-hand - while launching at least -, and the list goes on. And if I ever wanted to take the dinghy path, the only issue in my requirements list was the no wet ride wish - so, I got rid of it. Still, I don't care much about Laser or Sunfish.

Now, I have a few boats to pick from. And I've picked the Rocket. There is also Weta in my mind as a second option. And.... Well, that's pretty much it, I assume. Was an easy decision.

You will not regret the Rocket.

 

[Fsh]

You will not regret the Rocket.

Also, I've picked the Rocket over Weta, because it was cheaper and car toppable. But something tells me I'll own the both one day.

 

[Phil S]

Avoiding sailing clubs eliminates a huge amount of the enjoyment of sailing, The competition and socialising is what makes the sport fun even if the weather or your results are less than ideal.

So I recommend you find a nearby fleet of boats you can afford/transport/store, buy one and join the group. It matters little what the boat is as as long as there is a fleet of them.

If you want to be an isolationist then just buy any old crapper which suits your budget. But be prepared to never be able to on sell it, and to be treated as an outcast weido when you meet other sailors on the beach or at the ramp. No matter how fast or impressive you think you and your boat are, no one will care until you actually go around a course with other boats.

And if you are not a member of an organised group, and you or your boat have a mishap and need a rescue, you have to rely on the good will of passing boat skippers, which might be scarce in bad conditions or less than Ideal days to be outside.

Sailing is a community just like this forum, do not ignore the benefits.

 

[mikegt4]

The OP probably came to the wrong place, he seems to want a comfortable sedan and a relaxing experience. The first 3 suggestions are a Ferrari, a Lamborghini and a Corvette. SA is laser focused on hyper competitive activities, not puttering around the lake.

My suggestion is to look more towards sail & oar boats or dinghy cruisers. They are quite popular outside of the yacht club/racing bubble especially in the UK and Australia. Not as exciting to sail as the latest racer but that's not his criteria, neither is spending the afternoon circling around the bouys.

 

[Fsh]

There is a Facebook group devoted to the Rocket if you'd like to talk to some owners and get more detailed information about the boat. Dave Clark (president of Fulcrum) is a member and participates pretty regularly.

Fulcrum Rocket Sailboat Owners | Facebook

This is a group for owners and prospective buyers of the new Fulcrum Speedworks Rocket sailboat to share information, stories, and photos/videos of their Rocket sailboat, and promote the hobby of...

www.facebook.com

This has really helped by the way. Thank you.

 

[Dillon Waltner]

:snipped:

No matter how fast or impressive you think you and your boat are, no one will care until you actually go around a course with other boats.

:snipped:

Sailing is a community just like this forum, do not ignore the benefits.

Get over yourself. Some people just like to sail and it doesn't matter if there are other boats (identical or not) going around a course. Sailing IS a community, and apart from the benefits there's always someone to tell you you're doing it wrong because you don't get off on the same things they do. Nothing demonstrates this more than OD sailors trying to get you to ditch the boat you like and buy the boat they sail. And nothing is more destructive to the future of sailing, or the community of sailors than exactly that attitude.

 

[Blue One]

Spot on .

 

[Phil S]

But doing it wrong in this sport can be very dangerous.
Too many freelance "sailors" get into trouble because they can not sail properly, can not understand the conditions, can not listen to advice, and just do stupid things.
Most are lucky and get rescued by good natured people from clubs or other people in motor boats.
Some do not,
Some drown.
Please do not become a statistic.

 

[Bill5]

When you are racing you are sailing. But when you are sailing, you are not necessarily racing. The art of the pleasure sail, for many, has been lost. At my Laser/ILCA dominated club, it’s all racing those stupid, fucking short sausage courses, or organized training. I initiated a fun, time yourself, end of the lake and back race. Hardly anybody participated. I won… It is a social club with great food after Thursday night racing, a few good regattas over the summer, a very busy school and a nice place to hang out. But if if there is no racing or training, there is hardly anybody there.
Most on DA threads view things through the lens of racing. And many people only race, citing that just sailing is boring. Too bad, really.

 

[Dillon Waltner]

Summary of a conversation I had with the Sunfish racer who keeps his boat next to mine:

Him: Why didn't you just buy a Sunfish so you could race with us on Sundays?
Me: Because I wanted a Rocket. Do you ever check the wind and decide it's a great day to go sailing?
Him: What?
Me: You live on a lake and you own a sailboat. When was the last time you went sailing just for the fun of it?
Him: I only sail on race days.
Me: THAT'S why I didn't buy a Sunfish.

 

[sunseeker]

Summary of a conversation I had with the Sunfish racer who keeps his boat next to mine:

Him: Why didn't you just buy a Sunfish so you could race with us on Sundays?
Me: Because I wanted a Rocket. Do you ever check the wind and decide it's a great day to go sailing?
Him: What?
Me: You live on a lake and you own a sailboat. When was the last time you went sailing just for the fun of it?
Him: I only sail on race days.
Me: THAT'S why I didn't buy a Sunfish.

People like that aren’t actual sailors. They are ego deficient and need the validation from winning, or at least trying to win.

 

[mikegt4]

Get over yourself. Some people just like to sail and it doesn't matter if there are other boats (identical or not) going around a course. Sailing IS a community, and apart from the benefits there's always someone to tell you you're doing it wrong because you don't get off on the same things they do. Nothing demonstrates this more than OD sailors trying to get you to ditch the boat you like and buy the boat they sail. And nothing is more destructive to the future of sailing, or the community of sailors than exactly that attitude.

I have to go along with this.

Sailing is dying where I am, docks and buoys are dropping in numbers every year as the state park system (they control all the lakes) seems bent on reducing the facilities. The sailing club at the nearest lake has a good junior program but it is totally focused on racing and getting new meat on the starting line. Most members never sail other than around the buoys on Sunday afternoon. They ignore (all too often with disdain) any one who isn't "racing" as if that it is all there is to sailing. I have a good friend who until recently raced a Snipe (in his mid 80's now) who I use to sail past at speed with my E-scow and I would mock him for going so slow. He said he would float around the coarse in a bathtub if there were other bathtubs to race against. I have been sailing for over 60 years and have raced exactly twice. I found it to be stressful, I sail to relax and enjoy. I like to go fast but not repeatably around 3 buoys. I pick my boats by how much fun they are to sail, not on what everyone else wants me to have.

 

[sunseeker]

I have to go along with this.

Sailing is dying where I am, docks and buoys are dropping in numbers every year as the state park system (they control all the lakes) seems bent on reducing the facilities. The sailing club at the nearest lake has a good junior program but it is totally focused on racing and getting new meat on the starting line. Most members never sail other than around the buoys on Sunday afternoon. They ignore (all too often with disdain) any one who isn't "racing" as if that it is all there is to sailing. I have a good friend who until recently raced a Snipe (in his mid 80's now) who I use to sail past at speed with my E-scow and I would mock him for going so slow. He said he would float around the coarse in a bathtub if there were other bathtubs to race against. I have been sailing for over 60 years and have raced exactly twice. I found it to be stressful, I sail to relax and enjoy. I like to go fast but not repeatably around 3 buoys. I pick my boats by how much fun they are to sail, not on what everyone else wants me to have.

Bill Lee didn’t saying racing was fun, he said fast was fun.