You don’t have to pursue an award-winning finish in order to transform a neglected, rotting, 12ft sailing dinghy into a perfectly safe and serviceable craft, as David Pugh reports
dinghy
6 cruising dinghy options for sailors wanting to downsize to keep sailing
Had enough of sailing cruiser ownership but not yet ready to give up sailing itself? Jake Frith delves into the merits and options of trading down to a much smaller…
How I built a lightweight DIY tender for my motorboat from scratch
Charles Beddingfield designs and constructs a 2m pram dinghy from plywood and epoxy to use as a DIY tender for his motorboat Tudor Rose
Restoring a lost International 14 racing dinghy found in a barn after 20 years
Ned Coackley needed a retirement project and an International 14 racing dinghy from the 1920s needed complete renovation. Here's how he restored the boat for £1,000
Dinghy launching tips from a prolific small boat owner
Keep a very long rope handy and, if launching single-handed, find a bystander to help... preferably one without a Rottweiler, advises Clive Marsh
Racing dinghies vs motorboats: Who really has right of way?
Based on experience, Gilbert Park ponders what every motorboat owner should consider when sharing the water with dinghy racers
The Grey Boat: A masterclass in DIY dinghy design
Sometimes the most inspiring craft can come in modest forms. Clive Marsh looks at The Grey Boat
Boom droop and other start of season ailments
Beware the insidious boom droop and your crew will thank you for it – and don’t forget to dig out suitable attire before setting sail.
Why the Wayfarer Weekender is the ultimate stable family boat
Ali Wood is treated to a factory visit and a blustery family sail in this latest iteration of the classic large dinghy, the Wayfarer Weekender, from Hartley Boats.
Mirror Dinghy: the versatile first boat for thousands of sailors
The ‘car top dinghy’ that can be launched and sailed in most coastal and inshore waters, with more than 70,000 built since 1963
Which is the best cruising dinghy?
Clive Marsh explains what he looks for in a lightweight cruising dinghy
Your complete guide to what to wear dinghy sailing
From base layers to life jackets to your hands and feet, this helpful guide from PBO's Ali Wood explains what to wear dinghy sailing so you can stay warm and…
The Flying Fifteen: the spirit of sailing
Clive Marsh sings the praises of the Flying Fifteen – an attractive, self-righting and popular fixed-keel dinghy that sails brilliantly
How I built a SCAMP boat so my sick dog could go sailing again
After my Australian Cattle Dog, Ozzie, had a health scar, I built a SCAMP boat, a popular dinghy cruiser design, so he could get back onto the water. Ozzie has…
How I started my small-boat collection with an Invicta 12
There’s only the Invicta 12 to blame for getting me into collecting small boats. New Zealand is one of the better places to go boating but I was not based…
Dinghy Cruising Association at 70
The Dinghy Cruising Association may be 70 years old – but it’s never been so on trend, reports Laura Hodgetts
Want to build a stitch and glue boat? Get your design plans and start now!
Due to popular demand, Tim Owen shares his stitch-and-glue design ideas for a rigid 8ft plywood rowing dinghy. He built his 50 years ago in 24 hours – it’s still…
Medway Doble: the classic sprit sail dinghy
Small boat enthusiast Clive Marsh celebrates the Medway Doble, a derivative of the Peter Boat and other small sprit sail dinghies
Why you should consider the weight of boat tools
Minimise the need for weighty tools on board by swapping metal parts with wood and rope, and muffling those you can’t with leather, says Clive Marsh
SeaHawk 17: the mini yacht that has it all
Can’t choose between a bilge keel, fin keel or drop keel/centreplate for your boat? Then why not get a yacht that has all three…