Advice required for "messing around" boat for children (&me)

fortyplus

I sold my last boat (Beneteau first 21) 10 years ago soon after the children arrived and now that they are getting bigger at a rate and are doing various bits of sail training in Dub Loaghaire it's time to dip a toe back in the water...
I am thinking of something easy to tow & launch, probably some form of topper/ laser or the like. Needs to hold 1 adult & 2 kids for fair-weather sailing. ( they can swim and will be wet suited & more buoyant that can be imagined...)
I could do hours of research, but nothing beats local experience. It's a long time since I did much sailing like this.
Location is Bray/ Dun Laoghaire region
Many thanks

Conchir

I'd say a Laser Pico might suit. It's very easy to launch and rig, and I've seen people put them on roof racks as well as towing them. They're also fairly cheap and there's probably just enough room for 1 adult and 2 kids. Also, the hulls are practically indestructible, and very light. They're easy to sail and learn in them too, but that's about all you'd be doing in them - not much racing or anything.

fortyplus

Conchir ; thanks fo that. Where is the best place to go shopping southside: I always though of dingy supplies in Clontarf?
Thanks

Conchir

Sorry, I'm not too sure of where to go on the Southside as I live on the Northside. Dinghy Supplies would be best, but there's a number of other options if it's too much hassle. Most sailing clubs usually have a buy and sell page, you should be able to find a few picos closer to you if you look around various websites. There's also a website called apolloduck.com where you can buy boats, and you'll definitely find one on the Southside through that. Best of luck!

ado100

Fortyplus - take a look at the RS Feva. A really good boat, again with an almost indestructable hull that will take plenty of abuse. There's a good fleet in Dun Laoghaire and also in Greystones I believe - so you may find one second hand. Or talk to Viking Marine in Dun Laoghaire.

ISAW

come around to Bray harbour on saturday before noon. Or possibly fri night and call intoi the club. ther is racing first gun at 1 so they will be off racing howth for the weekend but people will be around from twelve.

If you are looking into dingies there should be some people around.
Bray is difficult because in terms of keelbopats double or no keel is advisable because the harbour is tidal.
Dingies have to be sturdier too. You can launch in minuites and there is a pen but you are straight out into the Irish sea. In Dun Laoghaire yu can still sail in the harbour on rougher days.
but many of the Bray members have other boats in dun Laoghaire.

you can also pen boats in Bray for free if you are a club member. Likewise Dun Laoghaire has a boat year which will cost you about 500 plus for your first 21 for the winter. but a lot less for a pico. Take a look in the DL Coal harbour boat year opposite the DLMY.

Im not a dingy man but Id go for something hardier if in Bray. but there are several Picos in the pen and GP 14's and the like but something like a wayfairer or 420 or a skiff like a 49er if the kids are into adrenalin. It depends if you want to day sail and stay a bit dry and picnic/fish as well. I believe DL has a fleet of squibs and Howth a fleet of puppeteers. Go down and ask around.

slideshow bob

might be challenged to get 1 adult + 2 kids in a pico. unless you guys come from liliput.

feva is good and provides a pathway for the youngsters but pretty wet boat and 'roomy' it is not. good second hand market though in your area.

sailing in a family group and you might consider any of the bigger lasers - laser 16 (old, hard come by, afforable), stratos (superb boat for what you intend), bahia (plastic successor to stratos, and grand). or wayfarer/gp14 are seaworthy too. all easy to trailer.

good luck with the quest

WaterRat

I agree with "ado100". The RS Feva is a great boat, easy to rig, launch and recover from a capsize. Lots of fun with the 3 sails (main, jib and gennaker). It's ok for an adult with one child, but it may be a little cramped with a second child aboard. If the children can take turns then I would recommend the Feva, as in time the 2 children should be able to take it out on their own. The Irish RS Feva Association have a buy and sell section on their website.

I can't see how an adult and 2 children could fit into a Pico unless you are the Lilliputians as "slideshow bob" said. Bigger boats such as the Stratos and Wayfarer have plenty of room (the Laser Stratos Keel can take 2 adults and 4 children) and many have engine brackets for a small outboard, which is great for getting out of busy harbours before hoisting the sails. However, they are very heavy for a single adult to pull up a slipway on their own.