Thread: Which Dinghy?

I wouldn't restrict myself to a similar boat mate. Boats are a long time relationship so I reckon you're better off building what you really want. If your boat turns out to be far better than his, a bit of sharing and swapping will sort out the performance difference

Now imagine this. Your mate gets his Mirror into the water. You start building something similar. Your mate finally accepts that he 'paid too much' for his 'free' Mirror and decides to build a GIS instead ...

Build what YOU want, the rest will sort itself out in the wash.

Richard

Yep, I think you would go a long way to find a nicer boat than a Goat Island Skiff.

A second hand mirror to go with your mate would be good too. That way you can sail along together.

It is a lot of fun to travel at around the same speed.

Michael Storer

Why not build a Mirror - after all they were a design promoted by a newspaper (hence the name) for dads to build at home for the kids. That shows in their being one of the first s&g boats

Originally Posted by Boatmik

A second hand mirror to go with your mate would be good too. That way you can sail along together.

It is a lot of fun to travel at around the same speed.

Michael Storer

Have a look at [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNDdkEIOnls"]YouTube - Sailing BC's Inside Passage in Mirror Dinghies[/ame] for an example.
The Mirror may not be the fastest boat afloat but it is very capable.
cheers
AJ

aha all good points...

As you will all appreciate I have to build it I can't go and buy one, I've been bitten bad by the "I built it" bug. I would love to build a mirror, only I was under the impression that they were only available as kits I haven't been able to find plans anywhere and I'm not patient enough (nor am I certain of the legalities) to copy my mates.

I don't really know how much the sailing bug is going to bite.

It's for these reasons that I thought about something with similar performance as the mirror (but didn't know what I was looking for) as at least then we can sail together something of vastly different performance would make this difficult and be less social.

Other than this I don't actually know what I want otherwise I would follow Daddles advice, well that's why I'm building a Sasquatch canoe - 'cause I want one (and they're mighty pertty).

Thanks chaps,

Tor

Wellllll .....

Just food for thought .... don't choose the boat that you will build just because your mate has one.

A Mirror will cost you a lot more for all the fiddly racing bits compared to a non racing boat.

Non racing doesn't necessarily mean it is a slouch either.

But if you want any money at all for the Mirror when you sell it ... then it needs the shiny racing bits. And it adds up in price. Also the Mirror is a good boat for an adult to singlehand, but if you want it to go very well an adult and a small kid is really the limit.

If you want to sail along with your mate get a second hand mirror and use it and then you can probably sell it for about what you bought it for. While sailing it around then you can contemplate what the next boat will be.

But if you are building from scratch ... a non racing mirror is about as worthless in terms of selling a boat as you can get. And the racing background makes the boat relatively expensive.

Now ... is the main thing for you the building .... or is it to get on the water ... where is the priority?

MIK

I've got an old Mirror going cheap, complete but needs TLC. (Moved on to a boat that's actually got a "sharp end")

Hi Pugwash,

have you still got the Mirror for sale?

how much do you want for it? and how much TLC does it need?

I've just replaced the hull of a Heron, so think I could tackle a Mirror.

Originally Posted by Boatmik

But if you are building from scratch ... a non racing mirror is about as worthless in terms of selling a boat as you can get. And the racing background makes the boat relatively expensive.

As you say well...

That sorta puts it into perspective for me, I think I'll leave to have another think. Don't think I've quite got to the right point yet.

Thanks for the food for thought.

Tor

Hi Mikey,
Yes I've still got the mirror, Havent actually advertised it for sale yet. I only want $250 for it. Its got a crack in the hull on one side thats had a fibreglass patch put on it at some time and it leaks a little. If you've rebuilt a Heron it would be simple for you to fix She needs some tlc, varnish and paint. Still sails ok though! All my spare time is taken up at the moment rebuilding the mast on my Careel.
Not sure of the age of the Mirror. Its complete as I said and even has a spinnaker and a chute. I've had hours of fun learning to sail in her but I need the room in my carport. You're welcome to come and have a look anytime.

If you just want some plans for a snub nose style sail boat then google nestor 8 plans they are free to download and even include the full size cad drawings so you can get (if you don't have access to a plotter) full size patterns printed.

Jst a quick cheapish way to get on the water. If printing costs too much let me know and I'll look at printing them for you on my plotter.

Originally Posted by pugwash

Hi Mikey,
Yes I've still got the mirror, Havent actually advertised it for sale yet. I only want $250 for it. Its got a crack in the hull on one side thats had a fibreglass patch put on it at some time and it leaks a little. If you've rebuilt a Heron it would be simple for you to fix She needs some tlc, varnish and paint. Still sails ok though! All my spare time is taken up at the moment rebuilding the mast on my Careel.
Not sure of the age of the Mirror. Its complete as I said and even has a spinnaker and a chute. I've had hours of fun learning to sail in her but I need the room in my carport. You're welcome to come and have a look anytime.

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