Select to expand quoteultrleisure said..
It looks good, too bad its in Victoria :(
It looks like the sail is about the same size as some of the sabots, holdfast trainers etc. which is really good.
Still with some of these old boats if anything was damaged I wouldn't really know what to do.
But at least I could add a trolling motor at first and then work it out later.
SA /Vic would not be that far? and for $ 60 would be ok to spend a bit in fuel, It looks like it is plywood and it is very easy to fix, I had a Farrier 720 made of plywood and had a close encouter with a cross wind jetty 
digging a nice crack in one of the float, I had no experience with plywood and it took me one Saturday to fix it , could not even see the repair! I think maybe easyer to fix than fiberglass (a lot less messy )
i do not know the boat but looks like it is easy to sail and fast at the same time!
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
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.
It's more for a summer activity on still days when it isn't choppy 200m (minimum you need to go out I believe) out from the beach, you know the sort of day when everyone has those stand up paddle boards (hence the need to fit a small motor if there isn't enough wind). And then there is the possibility to use it without the sail as a small slow electric motor boat at first and then use the sail in the future.
If you read the first page I am really looking for something like the super snark which is very basic. But it cost $1000 to get it to Australia on top of the $1000 price.
That's why when people keep suggesting advanced proper sailing boats I keep mentioning I really wanted something more basic (not just small but also very basic).
So you think there is no such thing?
I have done a very short intro to sailing (2.5 hours) at a club.
Ok, ok if you think it's no good maybe your right, do you think it would be better to look for a non sailing dinghy or a sailing kayak?
I really just wanted something very basic for a bit of beach fun for now (next summer) and I might get into more proper sailing in the future.
In that case go for a second hand sit-on kayak or sailboard you would be able to either for less than $500
Yes but I can't keep going there all the time.
Thanks for your advice, some things to consider, I might do some more research, there's plenty of time before summer.
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.
As I said, work out what you want first, sail boat, kayak, motor boat .... No one craft will do it all.
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.
Ok I'll keep looking. So it's not for bays only?
Just for interest, what are the main factors that make this easier than a sabot?
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.
Hmm interesting things to consider, is the walker bay the only boat of it's kind that is available?
Do wooden sabots have the same weak hull problem?
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.
There is a boat for sale called a nutshell, people have said it is not a proper sailing boat etc. but for a more general purpose use what then?
Is there an easy way to make it more positive buoyant?
That is a Swanson Snug. They have a very good reputation and could be regarded as a collector's piece. It would be a lot of boat for $650.
Might be a tad heavy for lifting on and off roof racks unless you did it one half at a time.
Hey Ultrleisure
Why not put a towbar on your car and widen your options by about 80%. A 125 or similar would tick all the boxes. You don't have to put up both sails and it would take a small outboard.
Cause I'd still rather something basic small and fairly cheap, all that would add a lot of cost + inconvenience.
pretty sure no one has suggested the " mirror " this boat was designed specifically to be car topped !!
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.
