In search of my ideal dinghy design.

[cluelessSailor]

Looking for a dinghy to sail very well (ie able to plane and point well) and move 2 adults, an extensive picnic, and maybe a dog/small child for a day sail. Also would like to to use it moving people about in and around the marina under a small motor. I am aware of the GIS, and love its lightness and simplicity, but wonder, since I have no intention of rowing, if there is something with a fuller bow for more stability and ability to shuttle people (without giving up too much performance under sail, ie things like scow bows). Would also like to ideally avoid wired standing rigging, always want to go sailing faster and not faff with that when stepping a mast. Also less than 6 metres as I need space to strore it.

Are there any purchasable or buildable designs you could recommend? Have built before so that isn't too much of an issue, but would generally prefer to spend that time on the water rather than planing planks.

Thank you for your help and advice! Hopefully my hopes aren't too impossible (the old car toppable, fits 5 adults, sails like a laser, can row, and planes under motor at 15 knots).

[Edward Pearson]

In order of approximate complexity...


Gartside 226 is unstayed and planes. 17ft.



Oughtred’s Fulmar is the biggest of his planing line and has an unstayed rig option.

Welsfords Navigator planes though i think you need the bigger sloop stayed rig to be doing it regularly.

B&B Coresound series plane and are unstayed. Easy to build.

Storer has the planing unstayed Oz Goose...

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JffGr5usd74

There was a grp boat built called the Topper Cruz that had a planing hull and an unstayed roller reefing ketch rig for cruising. They were very well made but only sold in low numbers. If you see one of them, you might like that. Cheap now as they’re a bit niche, typically 1-1.5k ish.



Big aft locker and storage tubs (red lids)...My brain is telling me its a Morrison design. Maybe Proctor can’t quite remember.

[John Meachen]

A minor point,I'm quite sure Ian Proctor had gone to the great regatta in the sky by the time of the Cruz.

[stromborg]

Hartley TS16? Seems pretty sporty with room for lots of crew. I know the mast has a forestay and a pair shrouds but it is stepped on the cabin so ought to be pretty quick to set up.

[neil.henderson]

Have a think about an Iain Oughtred Gannet. I built the one in the photo below. They sail really well & point high :-)

IMG_0228.JPG

[Canoeyawl]

Thistle

[cluelessSailor]

Goodness! So many options. Thank you all! Will certainly have a look at all of these (and their availability). I think the TS16 is a bit on the heavy side for me at more than 350kg... though the deckhouse does look very nice. Will definitely dive into welsfords and oughtred's designs and the coresounds, so much flexibility! Thank you!!

[stromborg]

Don't leave out: https://www.vivierboats.com/en/

[Peerie Maa]

Don't leave out: https://www.vivierboats.com/en/

Vivier does some nice boats.

[stromborg]

Roger Barnes just put this up. Very interesting looking boat.

[biglad]

Selway Fisher would have something, I'm sure. I've built 1 and nearly finished my second of his boats and the plans and notes are clear and well written. Paul responds quickly to questions if you can't work something out.

https://www.selway-fisher.com/

[Canoeyawl]

Instant pudding in the UK
https://boats-from.co.uk/not-specifi...-dinghy-432392

You are asking for a larger than normal dinghy if you want to take the family and a dog, which is why I recommended Thistle, it is a big little boat, and will do everything you are asking for...

E7005254-A8DE-4C4D-854B-7ADCCA8B9A9B.jpg

[CharlesSP]

A minor point,I'm quite sure Ian Proctor had gone to the great regatta in the sky by the time of the Cruz.

John, you're correct about the designer of the Topper Cruz. According to the original sales brochure, Topper International designed it with Ian Howlett. I have a ketch rigged Cruz and it's a nice dinghy to spend the day in.

[AndanteEd]

Looking for a dinghy to sail very well (ie able to plane and point well) and move 2 adults, an extensive picnic, and maybe a dog/small child for a day sail. Also would like to to use it moving people about in and around the marina under a small motor. Also less than 6 metres as I need space to strore it.

Wayfarer_cruising.jpg

Wayfarer - sails well, planes & points. Room for adults, kids, dogs, cats or whatever. Takes a small motor. It's a shade under 5 metres. Hull weight around 170 kgs. Loads of them around for sale. Fibreglass ones are virtually indestructible.

Would also like to ideally avoid wired standing rigging.

OK, it has wired rigging, but the mast is on a tabernacle so it's just a matter of putting the mast base in the tabernacle, inserting the pin, clipping on the two shrouds then pushing the mast up and tying on the forestay. Takes two minutes.

[John hartmann]

It should not be difficult to replace wire shrouds with dyneema or similar for rigging that has a nicer hand than wire.

[Autonomous]

If you would rather sail than plane planks, I see two mentioned above that stick out to me.
The Wayfarer, lots of them built and can be found in all sorts of condition. B&B Yacht Designs stand out for their performance and easy, straightforward builds.