Favorite small boats?

[John Smith]

When I was in 7th grade, my friend and I built a 10' boat. Actually 9'6" or whatever a ten foot sheet of plywood made after going around the curves. Very fast with two kids and a ten hp motor. Also made a very nice rowboat, as we had put some upward direction of the bottom towards the bow, and it worked out that, sitting on the thwart to row, with no motor on transom, transom raised to water's surface.

Later, I had a Snark MachII, which was similar to the Sunfish, but molded plastic, lighter, and a bit more sail. That was really fun, and easily car topped. It cost me $60 to chain it to a log at Lake Hopatcong, and enjoy all the picnic, swimming, and launching faciilties for a summer.

Depending upon my health over the coming years, if I continue sailing, it will probably be something smaller than I presently own.

I expect many will be doing the same, and I thought I'd ask about which boats that are less than 14' that people have enjoyed and might recommend.

[callsign222]

Here's a great thread to get you started, more sailing oriented, but who wants smelly motors anyway: http://forum.woodenboat.com/showthread.php?106292-Nominations-for-best-12-sailing-dinghy-design

[bamamick]

I have owned a Sunfish, Laser, Megabyte, two Finns, two Windmills, an IC (international 10 sq. metre canoe), and a Penguin. The most fun I had consistantly was with the first Windmill, back in the day when my body size didn't keep me from being competitive. Number two would be my first Finn, a 1980's model Vanguard with a carbon wing. I had a lot of fun sailing that boat, but in the end, frustration at having uncompetitive equipment and my lack of success in even local events put me in the mood to sell.

The IC was easily the coolest small boat I ever had, and I still love watching the guys at my club sail them. They are a joy to sail, but I am just not capable of racing one. I guess now I have resigned myself to being a keelboat guy.

One class I would have like to have sailed is the Fireball. I had a poster on my wall when I was a teenager of Steve Benjamin winning a World's back in the 1970's and that just looked so cool.

Mickey Lake

[John Smith]

Thanks to both.

[johngsandusky]

Melonseed. Beautiful, fast, easy to rig and sail, rows well. I also have a soft spot for the Glen-L Topper. I built one in '89. 10'11" multichine sailing dinghy, made a good tender too.