Last year we build our first boat, a "Roamer" dinghy. This design was developed in the early 70s by E. Coleman specifically for cruising and for DIY-building. We can honestly say that we are now totally hooked to this way of sailing. We would like to share this enthusiasm with you!
Dinghy cruising is the art of sailing longer or smaller distances in an open sailboat. It cannot be compared with normal dinghy sailing, where speed is the main challenge, or with cruising in a cabin cruiser. The challenge lies partly in handling the constant exposure to the elements over a longer time. Preparing for this is part of the fun.
Imagine the feeling you will have arriving in a strange port after a long voyage in a small boat. All your preparations having paid off. Finding a small corner in the harbor, where other boats cannot go, and making yourself comfortable for the night under your tent. Just imagine waking up by the calls of birds, or, if your unlucky, by the sound of an outboard. Even cooking has a different flavor. Instead of a bore, it is a challenge.
A small boat can be bought for very little money, new or pre-owned. It is also very feasible to build a small yourself in a reasonable time. Although sailing in a small boat is cheaper, it can be as much fun as sailing in a larger boat.
The biggest advantage is that in a small boat there is far less stuff to worry about. The most expensive repairs I have had till now were some deep scratches which needed a coat of Epoxy and paint, a broken helm (I weigh in at a 114 kg, just too heavy for the helm!), easily fixed with some glass/epoxy, and a stay where the lashings failed. Total cost of all repairs: $20 for buying some paint, the rest came out of my pile of rubbish lying around. If my Yamaha outboard ever gets unreliable, I'll just buy a new one and get a good price for the old one. The most complicated piece of hardware onboard, apart from the engine, are the blocks and the snap-shackles! I have no winches which need greasing, I have no complicated electric gadgets. The mast we made ourselves. The mast is stayed with a high-tech rope which is easy to handle and repair. Although expensive per meter, I only needed 18 meters which didn't break the bank.
So remember, a small boat has small problems. Solving these small problems usually is fun rather than a worry.
Cruising Dinghies can easily be put on a trailer and driven over land to any location. Even over water there are no real limits. Frank Dye made epic journeys in his Wayfarer Dinghy. He sailed to Norway and Island from England. Although this is for the very hardy, sailing at sea is very feasible.
Sure! It can be cold and wet in a dinghy. It is not that difficult in theory to stay warm, but in practice it is easy to put on foul weather gear to late and getting soaked and very cold. Once you are cold it is not easy getting warm again. You can't go inside! Thus most preparations focus around keeping warm.
A small boat has limited space for living and for stowage. So, for instance, entertaining guests is difficult. Taking a lot of luxury with you is also difficult. No shower, no toilet, no three burner stove, no oven, no hot or cold running water and no, or very limited electricity. Sticking to the essentials is very useful. Finding simple ways of staying comfortable is very much part of the fun and the challenge.
If your are interested or curious, please browse
around. This page, like any other on the web, is in constant development.
More and more information will become available over the next
months. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to send
me an E-mail.
This page located at: GeoCities
This page last changed : 23-Sep-96