Thanks to all for the advice you've given me over the last few weeks.
I'm going tomorrow to look at, most likely buy, a wooden Pacer dinghy.

For what it's worth, I totally believed everyone who told me that fibreglass is much lower maintenance, but I couldn't see anything that might suit us in the weeks I was looking: I really want to do this this summer, given covid etc it's a good year to be doing outside things with the kids, not going to the movies etc, so time being the essence etc. I figure if we love this we'll upgrade and if we hate it I won't have spent too much money... I understand the boat is sound and the trailer is pretty good.

So, what else do I need to get? The boat is apparently ready to sail, with all sails, lines etc.
Things I've thought of:
- life jackets for all. What type do you use for adults sailing off the beach on, for example, Port Phillip Bay? How about for kids that can't sail (yet)?
- bailer, if it doesn't have one
- painter, if it doesn't have one.
- telltales for the main and jib, if they don't have them (will be teaching the kids to sail)
- something (I forget what this is called, if it has a name) to hold the centreboard down, to make righting it easier if/when we go over
- waterproof bag to put things into.
- considering adding rowlocks and getting a pair of oars, especically for when we take it to Gippsland lakes for a planned holiday at Easter.

What else do I need to think about getting?

Good one, I hope it works out.


On enclosed waters ( Bay & Gippsland Lakes ) you only need PFD L50

Kids don't like to be different, the "cool" pfd's at the moment are the Zhik vests
some on clearance here: www.monkeyfist.com.au/c/4507593/1/buoyancy-aids.html
and ever popular the Ronstan one here: www.whitworths.com.au/ronstan-dinghy-pfd-level-50

For Adults check out the Bourke or Marlin ones at Whitworths, you really want to go in and try them on and see what feels comfortable. What works for a guy may be uncomfortable for a woman.

While you are there you can get a couple of other bits and pieces. If your new boat does not have a tow ring on the bow get a shackle and ring to lead your painter through, for tying to a dock and to a tow line if you need to.
Also check out the roll top dry bags. they have a clip to close that you can clip to the boat so it stays with you.

teltales, a bit of stickyback and wool tufts on the sails for getting your trim right and some cassette tape on the shrouds for wind direction

Bailer you can just cut a milk/juice bottle on a slope and tie it to the thwart.

Your pacer has a pivoting centerboard. At the top-front will be a pair of rubber door-stop things. A length of reasonably sturdy bungy cord in two loops around the thwart and long enough to go around the door stops will hold the board down and allow it to come up a bit as you grind it into the beach.

Rowlocks and oars may work, you would probably need to do a little woodwork to the gunnel to fit the rowlocks but it is doable. More fun would be a little trolling motor.

Also windex for top of mast - critical for teaching apparent wind.

Also is your mainsail hauled up the mast by a halyard able to be released from sitting down in the boat in the normal sailing position. This can be very useful if a squall comes through - unexpected or not.

Not sure if standard on Pacers.........some photos here (16 and 17) show a red rope halyard led to a securing point around the base of the mast but it is not fully clear - go to your local Pacer fleet and you will find out heaps.

www.pacersailing.org.au/gallery/fitout

Well I am now the happy owner of a pacer :) Husband unsure about the whole thing, kids excited.

Today is not auspicious sailing weather in Melbourne, so hoping husband will come around sooner, when it's sunny and a light breeze, etc.

Thanks very much for all the advice. No doubt I'll be back asking again. I'll get to Whitworths when I can to buy buoyancy vests and other needed things. Then we can take her for a spin :)

r13 I'm not sure about the halyard arrangement. I haven't been able to rig her and can't while she's in the garage: it'll have to wait. Weather too nasty today anyway. I do agree it would be useful to be able to reduce sail fast with the kind of weather Melbourne can produce from time to time, though I do hope not to be sailing on those days.

DrogueOne: that's all really useful., thanks. Boat does have a tow ring set in, so that's good. A roll top bag is an excellent idea. I'll get some telltales.

Select to expand quote

DrogueOne said..

Good one, I hope it works out.




Rowlocks and oars may work, you would probably need to do a little woodwork to the gunnel to fit the rowlocks but it is doable. More fun would be a little trolling motor.

Both the Pacers we have had I fitted rowlocks to, just shaped up a trapezoidal block of hardwood to inboard of gunwale capping to give some support to a greater length of the rowlock- a bit of shape to top lets them sit up flush- a pair of rowlock plates from whitworths to top. Make them smooth& round overs to be more kind to humans. Thinking I put the rowlocks about 8-10 inches aft of the cross brace at the aft end of the centreboard case- a wider seat is good there for more comfort. One of my Pacers had a skeg on the centreline & the other didn't... not sure why.

Jeff.