Yeah a good point about wood maybe being easier to fix. Also if I had to make any sort of modifications.

We'll I'll probably wait until there is something in SA, I mean with a boat without sides I probably wouldn't be doing much winter sailing :)



Have a look at this video of someone sailing a sabot



See how he is able to sit (when he has his legs inside the boat). Would you be unable to sit like that in a holdfast trainer?


Holdfast trainer looks ok if you can sit on the side but if you have to sit in the middle to balance the boat it looks like there is not enough room unless you want to have your legs over the side or squat uncomfortably.

Do you think that's right, that there is no way to sit comfortably inside a holdfast trainer?

Have you seen a 'Holdfast Trainer'? Yes the Holdfast Trainer is a modified Sabot, it has a jib, bowsprit, and added decking making it virtually impossible for an adult to sit inside.
The coastal waters off Adelaide can be quite choppy at times and and small boats don't cope with the conditions that well, yes young kids sail them, tip over lots and have a LOT of fun....BUT it is done at club level with many rescue boats around the fleet providing safety for the sailors.
But if your looking to buy a small boat to teach your self to sail you are doing it SO wrong.....
Join a club and attend an adult 'Learn to sail program' most clubs have them, then get a boat suitable for an adult and then enjoy...

So where in Adelaide did you intend to sail? coastal waters can get VERY choppy at times, West Lakes? very small area to sail and LOTS of tacking (did you note in the video how difficult it was for the sailor to change tacks). Goolwa has a joint problem of small area and short choppy waters. Boats with minimal or no side decking often have problems on this sort of water.

Do you want a sail boat or a power boat? do you have a motor already? If you want a motor boat get an Aluminium dinghy....
If you want a yacht get an adult size boat join a club you will learn a lot more.

As a suggestion here is a boat for sale in Adelaide at the moment that would suit your needs... http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/greenacres/sail-boats/sabre-sailing-dinghy/1020587621#

Another thing to remember is that 'odd / rare designs' or heavily modified class boats have little or no resale value UNLESS you find someone with the same mindset as yourself.

So my suggestion would be a Sabre dinghy or at the worst case the Mirror dinghy if you wanted the multi sail thing. But don't waste your time with a Sabot or Holdfast Trainer.

In that case go for a second hand sit-on kayak or sailboard you would be able to either for less than $500

The answer to that..... West Lakes

Small non advanced,roof rack capable boats attract sharks more than anything.

lol

Isn't that moth even more unsuited to a beginner?

Also it looks a bit old, as in it might need work done on it which I wouldn't have the skill to do. Or some crucial components might be broken.

Also it wouldn't easily fit an electric motor or batteries to use without a sail which really seems like a requirement.

Small sailboat (or sailable converted dinghy) with small sail that will also take a very low power electric trolling motor (eg. a 50lbs model) is as light as possible and has beam of 1.2m or less and preferably with sides.

Probably there's no such thing available in Aus.

They cost over $2k for sailing version I believe, max budget is about $1k but id rather spend less than that.

A Sabot is a beginner's sailing dinghy designed for kids. An adult will always be very cramped inside. They are reasonably sturdy but not designed for being dragged around or launching where there might be concrete or rocks. However, for what they are, their sailing performance is very good. But having said that, most of that performance is due to them being lightweight and that advantage is totally lost with an adult on board.

Walker Bay dinghies (8' and 10') are designed for the family leisure market and made from roto moulded plastic which is almost indestructible. The basic boat rows quite well, is stable and takes a small outboard. For ease of handling, there is a small wheel mounted at the back of the keelson which makes them very easy to trundle on smooth, hard surfaces such as roads, paths or docks. Once you are on the sand, the boat can be dragged and even small rocks won't damage the hull more than a slight scratch. There are upgrade kits for sailing (see my post above), davit mounting points and even an inflatable collar to make it a RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat) with much greater load capacity and stability. Sailing performance is moderately good and ideal for a beginner adult or a family.

Interestingly, second hand Walker Bays with sail kits frequently state that the sail has never been used. But if you buy a second hand Sabot, the rig has probably been flogged to death.

Small boats like canoes and sailing dinghies can use quite thin hulls, some canoes even have a canvas skin, usable, light weight, but not suited to rough abuse.

ultrleisure said..

Hmm interesting things to consider, is the walker bay the only boat of it's kind that is available?

This one is not common but intriguing. Its listed on e-Bay at http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Row-Motor-or-Sail-Dinghy-Swanson-Aussie-made-like-Walker-bay-/261227431361?ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:AU:1123

The description reads: 'An excellent Australian made dingy, same concept as a Walker Bay. I bought it to teach my daughter to sail and it's been great. Rows really well. Tows beautifully. Designed by the Swanson brothers it splits in two and this makes it easy to stow in my boat for offshore passages etc. Full sailing kit includes, mast, boom, rudder, centreboard, sail, sheets and block. Takes just a few minutes to set up. Length is 2920mm or 9' 6". Width is 1340mm or 4' 5".'

From the photos, it looks like the hull is fibreglass. My guess is that it would be quite heavy but sturdy. The opening bid is $650.

hmm looks interesting.

Yeah, as light as possible would be best.

Cause I'd still rather something basic small and fairly cheap, all that would add a lot of cost + inconvenience.

Actually in another thread, it looks good but it's a bit too wide, looking for something 1.2m wide or less, if something exists.

Moth is not exactely a starter yacht!