Hi
Im looking for a Dinghy for my 6yr old son to start to play around in. I'll be sailing with him so it can't be too small - although i'm only 65kg.

We are on Pittwater and want to store it on the bow of our cruiser - so a light hull is important for my back!.

Optimist? Sabot? Manly Junior? Other???

Cheers

I learnt in a sabot. They arent very heavy although my old one was ply. Id looking for a fibrelgass sabot or optimist for durability.

Don't believe a sabot or optimist is going to fit or suit the 2 of you - but see the last link below RPAYC use optimists and it appears pairs of kids are in them ok. This first link discusses starting ages for Manly Juniors (sailors are in the 8-13 years range) but this would be based on a skipper around the top of that range and the crew nearer the lower end.

manly16s.com.au/manly-juniors/#:~:text=What%20Junior%20classes%20of%20boats,up%20into%20the%20Flying%2011.

The Manly Junior should fit the 2 of you and be the ideal 2 person training boat to get a 6 years old into the sport without scaring him off. Unless you are totally familiar already suggest visit the Manly 16s and view the boats and the typical skippers and crews. From there you both could go to Flying 11s if you want to, or he would go into a sabot or optimist on his own or (for the sabot) with another youngster. See good summary for sabots here;

www.narrabeenlakessailingclub.com/index.php/sailing/sabot-class

RPAYC only have Optimists;

rpayc.com.au/courses/kids-learn-to-sail/

Suggest measure the bow of your cruiser to confirm fit.

I learnt to sail in a sabot when I was a young kid too, but was always single-handed. Wouldn't have worked too well with my old man in the dinghy!

Walker Bay 8 with sailing kit.

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junek said..
Hi
Im looking for a Dinghy for my 6yr old son to start to play around in. I'll be sailing with him so it can't be too small - although i'm only 65kg.

We are on Pittwater and want to store it on the bow of our cruiser - so a light hull is important for my back!.

Optimist? Sabot? Manly Junior? Other???

Cheers

Flying 11. For one adult and a child these are about as small as you can go. They weigh about the same as a Manly Junior

Given where you are a PJ (Pittwater Junior) is the obvious choice.
It's a Sabot with a self draining cockpit, open transom and a simplified rig.
Easy to right, comes up dry and easy for the kids to get back on board.
By far and away the best training/ muck around boat for kids and just big enough to fit an adult and a kid

Thanks for the replies

Manly junior looking like an obvious choice. Flying 11 looks good too but probably wont fit on the mothership.

Sabot sounds too small for both of us.

Cheers