Hi guys, I am looking to get a dinghy to teach my young 8 year old daughter to sail in. Something that can be easily handled and setup by one person but OK for 2 to sail. I was thinking of something like a laser or mirror, any suggestions??

Thanks.

Andrew S

I've done a few seasons in Sabres in the past and they are really nice to sail.

They are pretty light, cockpit floats above the water line when capsized = minimal baling - important for a learner! Cheaper than a laser and much more comfortable to sail.

For an 8 yr old you would need to be careful in any kind of breeze as I was hiking pretty hard at anything above 12 knots and I am 70kg.

Perhaps you can get a spare older sail which you cut a bit off the foot to reduce the sail area for your daughter. Easy to do on a Sabre as they have a halyard that would allow for a different height of the head.

Also think about launching and retrieval, Get a dolly with nice big all terrain tyres to make it easier to pull backup the beach or ramp.

Solos are similar but I always found them very heavy. Sabre a lighter choice I think.

Good luck and enjoy.

I recommend a surf cat to build confidence then move to a monohull.
Very cheap and easy to sell when ready to graduate to a mono.

Looking at Smithys request, the Pacer or Mirror would be great options to introduce an 8 year old to sailing with a parent.
Both are common in Victoria and can be found in a variety of condition to suit most any budget.
Cisco, have you sailed a WB! they are terrible and much better to be used as a simple tender!

I have two friends with Walker Bay 8's or I should say one as one was stolen. Apparently the most common stolen dinghy about. I can't see the attraction.

If you do get to borrow the Laser, if would be ideal if they had the smaller 'radial' rig to play around with for your daughter.

I had a Laser bought locally for $800 with registered trailer, and a few sails.
It provided some memorable sailing for about 4 years, and was then on sold for $1,000 to make way for the next boat.

Regarding the Walker Bay 8, I use this as a tender as well, and they row great.
Pity to hear about lack of sailing ability though.

I had planned to cobble together a rig from some of the windsurfing gear in the shed, once the kids wanted to try dingy sailing.