Sailing Dingies

[Ctabucchi]

I am an older sailor with back problems. I would like to get something small with cat rig that I could sit down in for support. Size about 8 to 10 ft. I tried an el toro but it was too tender. I don't want to have to hike out. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks, Cal

[Coops]

Try here Cal,

John Welsford Small Craft Design

I have one of his designs, the navigator, great boat and versatile.

Coops.

[Bash]

Reality time: old guys with back problems shouldn't spend too much time in 8' dinks.

Think about 12'. Something like a Beetle Cat. Check this out: Beetle Cat Boat Shop, traditional wooden boat builders, gaff rigged, one-design sailboats

[minaret]

NorseBoat 12.5.



NorseBoat 12.5



Not cheap and you get exactly what you pay for.

[Coops]

I'm 65, bad back, the navigator is 15' with a ballasted swing keel. Works for me. See here, not mine, Sailing fairly hard off of NZ somewhere, with dramatic music.

http://lukefoster.com/dauntless/wp-c...-pirate-12.wmv

Coops.

[HopCar]

I'm sixty plus with a bad back. If I was looking for a sailing dinghy I'd jump all over a Trinka. They are perfect little yachts. I've been lusting for one for about twenty years. The builder, Mark Johannsen, takes great pride in making a beautiful and practical little boat. They are available in 8, 10 and 12 foot. They are not cheap.


Link: Trinka-The Best Rowing/Sailing Dinghy in the World.

[Cuttyhunk]

Originally Posted by HopCar

I'm sixty plus with a bad back. If I was looking for a sailing dinghy I'd jump all over a Trinka. They are perfect little yachts. I've been lusting for one for about twenty years. The builder, Mark Johannsen, takes great pride in making a beautiful and practical little boat. They are available in 8, 10 and 12 foot. They are not cheap.


Link: Trinka-The Best Rowing/Sailing Dinghy in the World.

I've owned a Trinka 8. Beautiful, tippy, took it all through the Caribbean but bought a used inflatable in Puerto Rico for practicality, although we still used the Trinka. As for sailing it, very uncomfortable. No good place to sit. The seat is in the way, no matter what. The 10' might be better. The Trinka rows very well.

[MichaelC]

Joel White's Shellback, 11'3", rigged as a sprits'l catboat. Good boat.

[Nikolina]

I don't care what it is, your backs going to hurt. So think about one of those folding chairs that west marine sells (about 100 bucks), and what boat that goes with that! I reluctantly purchased one for my trip last year and it turned out to be the best purchase I made. Should have bought one for the wife. There some what bulky if you have to pack it around but its like sitting on your couch at home only with a better view. Think about a SF Pelican, might be a little heavy at 12' but a ton of room and very stable and the folding chair would be right at home!
Nikolina

[Jim Cate]

Don't know if your feelings of disability extend this far, but in Oz the "Sailability" gang have a design for folks with severe disabilities. Comfortable seating, some ballast and a simple rig. Don't know the details, but they are very popular over here, and I've seen some severely disabled blokes having a great time in them.

Cheers,

Jim

[Jimbo485]

Try a blokart. You won't get wet and you can hit 40 knots in a 25 knot breeze without surfing down a wave.