My 16 year son has become a great sailing enthusiast. Maybe thats because I gave him a pair of sailing gloves, took him out sailing since he was two and I swore to Posiedon himself that one of my kids has to love sailing and stick with it! We have extra dock space at my marina that would allow me to tie up a small sailboat that he could use in the harbor. My budget is under $1,000 and I have been trying to locate a used small sailboat that offers a jib and main, dagger or centerboard and room for two. The wet well boats (Laser, Sunfish, Force 5, etc) are all great fun, but I want to stay with more of the basic large open traditional cockpit design. I have considered the Walker Cay that Boat US/West Marine puts out but have no experience with the sailing model. Interestingly you do not see many ads for small dinghys around. It almost takes an expedition with a large pick up truck and a lot of front yard searching to locate a great used boat. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated Regards Bob
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One Design
There are many one design smaller sailboats (dinghies as my father called them) that would work. I have a Rascal wich I think is 13 or 14 feet, main & jib which is fun to sail. You could get a list of some designs from US Sailing-so you know the names of some smaller boats to aid you in your search. Check out local youth sailing programs or yacht clubs, too. ussailing.org Fair Winds Kevin
There are many one design smaller sailboats (dinghies as my father called them) that would work. I have a Rascal wich I think is 13 or 14 feet, main & jib which is fun to sail. You could get a list of some designs from US Sailing-so you know the names of some smaller boats to aid you in your search. Check out local youth sailing programs or yacht clubs, too. ussailing.org Fair Winds Kevin
How about
When I wanted to get my wife started in sailing I bought a Rhodes19 an old 1964 sweetie that was ready for the heapI picked it up for $1200.. with trailer and motor....I was almost imbarrased to haul it home....but with much elbow grease, paint and woodwork shes beautiful. here is a before and after. Or you can look for a lightning...another excellent racing boat with a huge following...do an online search there are many clubs.....Or try a force 5 similar to a sunfish but rigged for racing other than that there are sunfish, Hobie cats or try a sailing pram...8-9' dingy cat rigged. have fun. and congrats for getting your son into the sport...im still working on mine...hes 7 his sister is 10 and already done.....but Im still working on her. Good Luck. Rob
When I wanted to get my wife started in sailing I bought a Rhodes19 an old 1964 sweetie that was ready for the heapI picked it up for $1200.. with trailer and motor....I was almost imbarrased to haul it home....but with much elbow grease, paint and woodwork shes beautiful. here is a before and after. Or you can look for a lightning...another excellent racing boat with a huge following...do an online search there are many clubs.....Or try a force 5 similar to a sunfish but rigged for racing other than that there are sunfish, Hobie cats or try a sailing pram...8-9' dingy cat rigged. have fun. and congrats for getting your son into the sport...im still working on mine...hes 7 his sister is 10 and already done.....but Im still working on her. Good Luck. Rob
Not Walker Bay and a suggestion
Bob, While small sailboats are generically known as sailing dinghys, you wouldn't want an 16 year old sailing a Walker Bay, as that really is a rowing dinghy that can be sailed. Better you should find a racing class, a one design boat. Your problem is budget, as yachtworld.com etc. is for brokers, and no one wants to handle an very inexpensive boat. There are a lot of great old Lightings and Comets and Penguins and Thistles and Flying Scots and Rhodes and even 420's that are sitting unused in back yards. I occasionally see them for sale in the Cape Cod Times, when someone gets the energy to sell one. Maybe if you took out an ad in your local paper that you were looking you could get some response!
Bob, While small sailboats are generically known as sailing dinghys, you wouldn't want an 16 year old sailing a Walker Bay, as that really is a rowing dinghy that can be sailed. Better you should find a racing class, a one design boat. Your problem is budget, as yachtworld.com etc. is for brokers, and no one wants to handle an very inexpensive boat. There are a lot of great old Lightings and Comets and Penguins and Thistles and Flying Scots and Rhodes and even 420's that are sitting unused in back yards. I occasionally see them for sale in the Cape Cod Times, when someone gets the energy to sell one. Maybe if you took out an ad in your local paper that you were looking you could get some response!
Hers a link for the Rhodes
I just did a little search...while most are above your price limit there is a centerboard unit that is $500.00 check it out Rob
I just did a little search...while most are above your price limit there is a centerboard unit that is $500.00 check it out Rob
Rhodes MIght Be Too Big
I learned to sail and race a Rhodes 19 out of Belmont Harbor, Chicago, and I greatly respect the heritage and handling of that vessel, but as much as Thistles, Flying Scots, Dutchman and even an O'Day Mariner goes, I have to stick with something much smaller. Their has to be something between the sheared bow pram like an El Toro and a 420 I can focus on. I forgot to add that the free dock space they are allowing me(if I agree to keep the daysailor pumped out) is a small 3-4 foot wide slip. Its a long story how that happened! If anyone can throw brand names or particular models at me, I can research them and keep a "lookout list" for these vessels in my area. Thanks all Bob
I learned to sail and race a Rhodes 19 out of Belmont Harbor, Chicago, and I greatly respect the heritage and handling of that vessel, but as much as Thistles, Flying Scots, Dutchman and even an O'Day Mariner goes, I have to stick with something much smaller. Their has to be something between the sheared bow pram like an El Toro and a 420 I can focus on. I forgot to add that the free dock space they are allowing me(if I agree to keep the daysailor pumped out) is a small 3-4 foot wide slip. Its a long story how that happened! If anyone can throw brand names or particular models at me, I can research them and keep a "lookout list" for these vessels in my area. Thanks all Bob
ebay worked for me
If you want a small sailboat, check on ebay in the ebay motors section under boats. You have to keep checking there, but there are usually a few small sailboats for sale.
If you want a small sailboat, check on ebay in the ebay motors section under boats. You have to keep checking there, but there are usually a few small sailboats for sale.
I saw a Practical Sailor report that said
The Walker Bay was actually not a bad sailing dinghy for only being 8-9 feet. If you are looking for a smaller sailing dinghy that can be a tender for your boat they are not a bad choice, though not as pretty as others that are available. Other under 10 feet sailboats/tenders are reveiwed here http://www.fattyknees.com/fatty_knees_goodoldboat.html I built an Eastport Pram and its a very pretty boat . http://www.clcboats.com/boats/eastportpram.php/cart_id=5f1379eb26269010686113fd0e4957b3/ Another good alternative for under 10 feet is an Optimist Dinghy and you could probably get a used one at a very good price. Also it can be raced and sailing in local regatta's for these boats that are everywhere. The above boats are great starter boats and if your kid was about 10-13, they would be ideal to learn on. The only problem with these boats are that they are starting to get a little small for a 16 year old and he would soon outgrow them. Some of the other boats listed are nice sailing boats and good candidates for older and maybe a little more experienced sailors. Most would fall into the "daysailor" category but I do admit would ultimately be far superior sailing....I'd even like a Rhodes 19, but storage and work and docking something like that wouldn't be as easy as a sailing dinghy.
The Walker Bay was actually not a bad sailing dinghy for only being 8-9 feet. If you are looking for a smaller sailing dinghy that can be a tender for your boat they are not a bad choice, though not as pretty as others that are available. Other under 10 feet sailboats/tenders are reveiwed here http://www.fattyknees.com/fatty_knees_goodoldboat.html I built an Eastport Pram and its a very pretty boat . http://www.clcboats.com/boats/eastportpram.php/cart_id=5f1379eb26269010686113fd0e4957b3/ Another good alternative for under 10 feet is an Optimist Dinghy and you could probably get a used one at a very good price. Also it can be raced and sailing in local regatta's for these boats that are everywhere. The above boats are great starter boats and if your kid was about 10-13, they would be ideal to learn on. The only problem with these boats are that they are starting to get a little small for a 16 year old and he would soon outgrow them. Some of the other boats listed are nice sailing boats and good candidates for older and maybe a little more experienced sailors. Most would fall into the "daysailor" category but I do admit would ultimately be far superior sailing....I'd even like a Rhodes 19, but storage and work and docking something like that wouldn't be as easy as a sailing dinghy.
I Just Remembered
I have an extra boat I am supposed to sell. It is a 14' Starcraft with a 2hp OB and trailer. I bought it for my daughter while I was looking for a Sunfish and then we found a sunfish and my wife says we do not need three boats. Email me through this site if you'd like more information.
I have an extra boat I am supposed to sell. It is a 14' Starcraft with a 2hp OB and trailer. I bought it for my daughter while I was looking for a Sunfish and then we found a sunfish and my wife says we do not need three boats. Email me through this site if you'd like more information.
May be sentimental but as a kid I loved my
Lido 14. Light planning hull but still dry, lot of racing fleets (at least out here) easy to trailer or launch at a hoist, kick up rudder so you can beach it. Should be readily available in your price range and they are used a lot to teach sailing.
Lido 14. Light planning hull but still dry, lot of racing fleets (at least out here) easy to trailer or launch at a hoist, kick up rudder so you can beach it. Should be readily available in your price range and they are used a lot to teach sailing.
Way to go........
You folks are coming up with fantastic ideas. I forgot about the O'Day Widgeon and that sailing pram is a beaut! Not a bad idea tackling a building project with my son. Thank you all. This has been a great education thus far. Please keep the list going for whomever else is interested in great sailiong dinghy's. Regards Bob
You folks are coming up with fantastic ideas. I forgot about the O'Day Widgeon and that sailing pram is a beaut! Not a bad idea tackling a building project with my son. Thank you all. This has been a great education thus far. Please keep the list going for whomever else is interested in great sailiong dinghy's. Regards Bob
Blue Jay
The first boat I ever actually owned was a Blue Jay. I bought it for $50 sitting in the woods on a clapped out trailer with one tire from a quarter midget race car. They are marvellous boats. I expect you can buy a kit to build one since they are simple hard-chine plywood. They had some reputation as a miniature version of the Lightning. Sailing a real boat with a main and a jib (and rigging for a spinnaker which I never had the nerve to use)was excellent training for my experiences aboard larger vessels and a ton of fun on its own. Have a look at they association web site. http://www.sailbluejay.org/
The first boat I ever actually owned was a Blue Jay. I bought it for $50 sitting in the woods on a clapped out trailer with one tire from a quarter midget race car. They are marvellous boats. I expect you can buy a kit to build one since they are simple hard-chine plywood. They had some reputation as a miniature version of the Lightning. Sailing a real boat with a main and a jib (and rigging for a spinnaker which I never had the nerve to use)was excellent training for my experiences aboard larger vessels and a ton of fun on its own. Have a look at they association web site. http://www.sailbluejay.org/
Try a Snipe
My son picked up a 1939 Snipe with a trailor for a $1.00. the trailor cost the buck and the boat was on it. the mast and sails are like new the decking is being replaced. Nice boat for 2 people at 15'cedar hull,if you want pics i can sen you some. check out their web site for their classifieds.
My son picked up a 1939 Snipe with a trailor for a $1.00. the trailor cost the buck and the boat was on it. the mast and sails are like new the decking is being replaced. Nice boat for 2 people at 15'cedar hull,if you want pics i can sen you some. check out their web site for their classifieds.
Good Idea Bob
I had actually posted the idea of building one then deleted the post when I remembered I had one I need to get rid of. I loved the Widgeon and would get one now if I had more room to park boats and more time to sail.
I had actually posted the idea of building one then deleted the post when I remembered I had one I need to get rid of. I loved the Widgeon and would get one now if I had more room to park boats and more time to sail.
Rhodes Robin
The Robin is a nifty little plumb-bow boat that, while not fast, is an excellent 'primary trainer' for kids and newbies. It is 11 ft long and has a jib, main, and spinnaker (imagine!) with a safe, deep cockpit and a foredeck and proper swinging centerboard. They were fitted with rowlocks, not an outboard bracket. The Robin was built in New Jersey by P Evanson Boat Company (my old employer) and ceased production in the early 1980s. I am currently in the process of negotiating for one for my kids. It's pretty much mine for storage fees (at the yacht club) and not badly kept. Including a trailer, to me it's a no-brainer. A web search I did recently came up with almost nothing. They are not that rare, but most people probably don't know it as a 'Rhodes Robin'. A friend of mine is the Philip Rhodes design historian online and will appreciate any info about surviving boats that anyone comes up with. EMail me or else Ben directly as the webmaster for cherubiniyachts.com. JC cherubiniyachts@aol.com
The Robin is a nifty little plumb-bow boat that, while not fast, is an excellent 'primary trainer' for kids and newbies. It is 11 ft long and has a jib, main, and spinnaker (imagine!) with a safe, deep cockpit and a foredeck and proper swinging centerboard. They were fitted with rowlocks, not an outboard bracket. The Robin was built in New Jersey by P Evanson Boat Company (my old employer) and ceased production in the early 1980s. I am currently in the process of negotiating for one for my kids. It's pretty much mine for storage fees (at the yacht club) and not badly kept. Including a trailer, to me it's a no-brainer. A web search I did recently came up with almost nothing. They are not that rare, but most people probably don't know it as a 'Rhodes Robin'. A friend of mine is the Philip Rhodes design historian online and will appreciate any info about surviving boats that anyone comes up with. EMail me or else Ben directly as the webmaster for cherubiniyachts.com. JC cherubiniyachts@aol.com
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