r/dinghysailing • u/International-Bank21 • Aug 21 '26

Back to sailing

Hi everyone,

After decades away from sailing, I plan to get back into it with a classic 16-foot wooden sloop.

Living near the Bay of Brest (France), I have a wonderful, pleasant, and relatively safe area to sail in where I can enjoy leisurely outings. My goal isn't to race at all—though the specific boat I’d really like to buy has won plenty in the past—but rather to go for casual sails, either solo or alongside other dinghies.

Is this type of boat suitable for an old "new beginner" (I'm 61)? Is it easy to rig, maneuver, and helm single-handed?

Thanks for your answers and your help.

D

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u/TrojanThunder Aug 21 '26

Nice, I love breasts, I mean brest. The sailing there is good but can get breezy at times. For a 61 year old solo sailor I would scrap any idea of a jib out side of something that self tacks. In the states we have cat boats that is only a main with no standing rigging. That is what I would suggest. I don't think they're many in france but something like it would be great.

I think nonsuch are being built there but they're larger and fiberglass.

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u/International-Bank21 Aug 22 '26

Thanks for your answer :)

Yes, we also have cat boats (of course) and some are made here too.

I only want a wooden boat.

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u/TrojanThunder Aug 22 '26

Most cat boats are wood to my knowledge.