Dinghy

When building Arwen back in 2009, I opted for the standing lug yawl rig because to me it looked traditional with minimal standing rigging, a short mast and a boom and spar which could be stored inside the boat. There also seemed to be a variety of sail options when at sea.  With very limited sailing experience only gained from RYA 1 and 2 courses on Laser 1’s in the Med, I had no real knowledge about a standing lug sail yawl (or sailing for that matter). Fast forward eleven years and ...

Dinghy sailors can be inspired to explore the British Isles with a new ‘Dinghy Cruising Trails’ initiative, launched at the virtual RYA Dinghy Show.   The initial six trails are at Ullswater, Largs, Rutland Water, Milford Haven, Brownsea Island and Hickling Broad with many more to come as the initiative progresses.   All trails are under six miles and each trail has been selected because launching is free or available at nominal charge.   &ldquo...

Learning the hard way on tidal rivers!   Patience may be a virtue required of all aspiring tidal river dinghy cruisers, if like me, they inevitably temporarily strand themselves on mid-channel sand banks or margin mud flats. Sailing some of my tidal rivers along south Devon’s spectacular coastline is an enjoyable but at times ‘fraught’ experience. From rapid short tacking up narrow channels in variable winds and sudden becalming on the outside bends of meanders to ...

A flash of dazzling blue and orange, a deep plop sound and the kingfisher emerges from the brown water with a tiny fish that promptly wriggles a headlong dive back into the water below. Mentally conflicted, feeling both relieved for the fish whilst simultaneously sympathising with the hungry kingfisher, I’m allowed a few seconds to admire its plumage before it darts away upriver.  Structural colouration they call it; a trick of the light, where a creature appears more colourful than i...

Aground. Beached. Stuck fast. Call it what you will. Arwen balances precariously on some submerged boulders, her rudder wedged and skeg entangled by floating rafts of bladder-wrack. Oar pushing and vigorous rocking side to side have failed to dislodged her. In two feet of water I’m happy to jump out and lift her stern off the boulders but my way is blocked and it’s all terribly embarrassing. I’m trapped in my boat by a large, angry Canadian Goose. It’s ludicrous.  ...