Hi

Im thinking of getting a small dinghy to tool around on the Brisbane River / Moreton Bay, both solo and with my son - I don't see us racing at any time. Price is an issue (as always - I'm looking at sub $500), but I am happy to repair/refurbish. My dinghy experience is negligible.

I have seen some mirrors and herons on gumtree at reasonable prices and look the goods for what I'm after.

Could anyone offer an opinion on their merits or preferences for one over the other ?

cheers

kk

ps: it may be relevant, im about 6'4" and 80kg, but am happy to duck

We have an old fibreglass Sabre dinghy which is used for general sailing . No jib but still goes better than a mirror and handles a breeze well. Hopefully there are a few up your way.
One of the best boats ever IMO.

Hi

Thanks for the comments - appreciated.

Trek, I saw that heron on gumtree which is what got me thinking about them, rather than the mirrors. i was liking the look of the bow of the heron rather than the pram bow of the mirror - don't know if that would have any difference in performance or in a chop though. Mind, I'm not exactly a "performance" sailor.... The ease of righting after a capsize will be a consideration though !. I hope to go and check it out this weekend,

At this stage I am leaning towards a ply build - feel comfortable repairing them, and there is something about wood (product) - and it will need to be relatively light to man-handle into the tray of my ute

the search will continue !

cheers

kk

Heron and mirror are basically the same boat except for the pointy bit the other major difference is the mirror has a dagger board and the heron a folding centre board. Most dingys are are OK to right after capsize aslong as there's enough buoyancy so the centre board trunk is above the water when flooded, otherwise it's an endless bailing task. A glass job like the vagabond while being heavier has the advantage of being able looking after its self left outside in the weather, so could possible be left locked up with yacht tenders

Well I'll be ! Nearly 20kg lighter ! That's pushin 50% on a similar size boat. Must be in the board ?

Mirror's & herons are nice little boats and neither and gaff rigged anymore. Very different methods of construction would be the reason for the weight difference.

At your height you may find them a bit tight?
Plenty of herons race in Qld so you may be able to get a look at one. Often sailed by smallish adults and tiny kids.

Noosaville sailing club use vagabonds as trainers so you could check them out. They are good robust little boats that feel bigger then there length.

Small dinghy's can be heaps of fun. For me the smaller the boat the more you use it.
Cheers

Both were designed by Jack Holt, and would probably be well suited to your needs. If you want some inspiration, read "The Unlikely Voyage of Jack de Crow" about a novice sailor's adventure through Europe in a Mirror...

slammin said..
I'd forget a dinghy and get a beach cat. A lot more fun and the same price. Windrush 14 would be my biased preference. Parts still available new.

Fair point, but it depends on what you find fun. I sail yachts, windsurfers, dinghies and cats (Formula 18) and plenty of people would find the dinghy much more fun (and vice versa).