What kind of dinghy?

Question

I'm looking for the perfect dinghy? It has to light, easy to launch and recover. It must be stable and capable of taking 3 but could be sailed fairly easily by 1. It should be safe but fast enough to be fun. Low maintainance would be nice too! Does such a boat exist?

Answer 1

Such boats do exist but with all such things where there are a broad range of requirements there are compromises to be accommodated.

The two major companies are Laser and Topper who have a wide range of boats to choose from especially at the lower end and some that also have the ability to 'grow' in line with their crews capabilities.

Another company RS Sailboats might also claim  such things but in my opinion their boats although good tend to be a bit more techy and fragile.

What you might like to consider though is a smaller catamaran, both Laser and Topper produce them and you could also add Hobie to the list and they would certainly hit your main points of stability, being able to take three (in relative comfort even) and with a decent turn of speed they are of course bigger so are less manoeuvrable on land - one of those compromises I am afraid.

Answer 2

Yes - try a Laser 2000.

Look here for maore info http://www.laser2000.org.uk/ and also here http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/classes...

There are others but that is a good example of what I think would fit your brief.