So, you have decided that you want to take up the great sport of dinghy sailing, either on your own or with your partner/family and now you are wondering what kind of boat you should buy. These are some of the things you should take into consideration.

1. How many people will sail the boat – will you be a single-handed racing person or do you want the option to take your family or partner. What will be your total crew weight?

2. Do you want to race the boat, or just potter and cruise

3. Where will you keep the boat? Are you planning to join a club with parking space for your boat, or will you trail it to somewhere you can launch.

4. Are there any rules about the size or type of boat you can sail at your chosen club – quite a few clubs in the UK have ‘designated classes’ – you don’t want to buy something then find it can’t take part in club racing

5. What is your level of sailing experience (and your family’s/partner’s)

6. What is your budget – remember to include club fees, a road trailer if you need it, extra car insurance in some cases and whether your car can be fitted with a tow bar, some can’t.

7. If you are planning to tow to your launching place, is your car up to pulling the weight of boat you want to buy. Some older classes of boat such as the Bosun are lovely but also very heavy. This is also a consideration if the club you join is launching from a shingle beach!

8. Wooden or GRP. Wooden boats are lovely, but you have to have the time and dedication to keep them in good condition. To sand down and paint/varnish is going to take you two or 3 weekends at least, you need somewhere dry and not too cold to work.

Over the many years I have been sailing, I have been asked for my advice many times by new joiners to our club. Sometimes they have ignored it, gone out and bought a completely unsuitable boat, then come back and said they wished they’d listened later!

These are the boats that I have owned and sailed, both alone and two handed. I have always raced and even at 57 years of age, I still do so. All these boats are centreboard dinghies, not keelboats and have been kept ashore and hand-launched. Just a few suggestions which may help you choose.

Graduate – this was the first boat I ever sailed. Approx 13 ft long, wooden. Main & jib, no spinnaker. A pretty boat and good for someone with a little experience to teach a child or a partner. Not that big, so adults need to be small, slim and light.

Otter – approx 13 ft, GRP. Main and jib, no spinnaker. Not common now, but you may find a good second hand one that has been well cared for. Same comments re crew size as for Graduate.

Albacore, 15 ft, either wooden or GRP (newer ones). Main and jib, no spinnaker. Good boat for a couple learning to race or a family. Quite heavy. Wooden ones take a lot of looking after. Early boats may still have a steel centreplate which helps stability if cruising but too heavy to be competitive racing.

Topper – my first single-hander – I was a lot lighter and slimmer then. This is now the boat of choice for young people wanting to learn to race, and an RYA designated youth class, but can also be raced by a teenager or small adult or even two younger children. Single sail, plastic low-maintenance hull.

Laser – 16 ft, GRP I had my first one back in 1978 and recently went back to this enduring and popular class. Single-handed single sail racing boat. Quite tippy, and not really for a complete novice, but great fun. Can also be sailed by two smallish adults if not racing. Three different sail/rig sizes available.

Europe. This was an Olympic class for ladies for a while, but has been replaced by the Laser Radial. 13ft, can be wooden or GRP or composite (GRP hull, wooden deck). Single hander, single sail. Quite technical, lots of rig adjustment possible, experience needed.

Wayfarer. 16 ft, can be wooden or GRP. Main, jib and spinnaker. Quite technical to sail and race well, but is also a great day cruising boat for a family. Quite heavy to launch and tow. You can even get a boom up tent and sleep in it! Very stable under cruising rig.

Laser 2000. 16 ft, GRP, main, jib, asymmetric spinnaker. Cruising rig and reefing options. Also optional trapeze, but at present you can’t race with one. Very good all round family boat, or for a couple to sail.

There are hundreds more racing classes even just in the UK. Most of them have class associations with websites. There are some good magazines which often review new classes and sometimes older ones too.

A few more warnings and suggestions.

Unless you know exactly what you are doing, don’t buy a boat at a jumble or auction.
If it is a two person boat, you could ask the owner to take you out or let you try it.

Ask people at the club you plan to join and LISTEN to their advice. Very often particular boats are popular at particular venues because they are well favoured for the conditions you will typically encounter.

Sailing is a great sport, but it can also be dangerous. ALWAYS wear a buoyancy aid or lifejacket, and appropriate clothing for the expected weather. Check weather forecasts and predicted wind strengths are suitable for your experience. Tell someone where you are going if cruising, especially if sailing alone. Finally ENJOY it – it’s a lifetime addiction!