Before I started to build my first dinghy launching trolley (dolly), I scoured the internet for design ideas. One thing was evident — people make do with some really dodgy launching trolleys! This view was backed up by walking around the launching area of my local sailing club when all the boats are out on the water and the trolleys are left on the beach. There are some truly awful dinghy launching trolleys … more »
In my view, there is no perfect boat that does everything well. I was asking the impossible when I wanted a sailing dinghy that could be sailed one-up or two-up, by my wife and I (very heavy) together, by my wife or me individually, or by one or both of my children (very light!). The boat had to be fun for me to sail, but still stable enough for my wife and children … more »
This sailing dinghy launching trolley is made out of wood and epoxy and is able to be constructed using simple tools. Most people do not have the skills or tools to weld a metal launching trolley, but this trolley is a simple, sturdy and functional alternative. The trolley design can be readily adapted to suit both sailing dinghies and small motor boats such as tinnies and inflatable boats. When we purchased a Minnow sailing … more »
The Sabot, Minnow, O’pen BIC or Optimist are all popular junior training sailing dinghies in Australia. You want your child to learn to sail, but which boat should you buy? Let me declare my biases first. I learnt to sail as a junior in a Sabot. We now own a Sabot and Minnow which my daughters have recently learned to sail in. I have sailed both dinghies. I have also sailed O’pen BICs, … more »
A hot knife is a very handy item to have in your tool kit if you sail boats and need to cut ropes. A hot knife can cut and seal nylon and polyester ropes in one action, preventing fraying and leaving a nice, clean rope end. If you only need to cut ropes one or twice a year, it can be hard to justify the cost of an electric hot knife, which can … more »