Thinking of Buying a Dinghy?
Junior Training: Buying a Dinghy in Bray SC
The points below are intended to provide some useful tips to consider before you buy a dinghy in Bray Sailing Club.
- Check for available boat storage
- What type of dinghy
- Ask the experts
- Shop local
- Insure your boat
Check for available storage. Bray SC currently includes boat storage in the cost of membership, but space can be an issue. Before you buy a boat, make sure storage space is available in the club's boat pen.
- Fill out the boat storage form at https://www.braysailingclub.ie/about-us/forms. Add the details you have available and send the form to the sailing secretary to indicate that you are interested in buying a boat. If there is an issue with available space, it's better to know in advance, and it helps the pen master with planning.
What type of dinghy to consider. Once they move on from Picos, most juniors start sailing in the following classes of dinghy:
Single handers:
Laser ILCA. This is a good option as it grows with the individual. You will have one hull but can change the mast bottom sections and sails to fit the person and sailing abilities. 4.7 is the smallest, Radial is the medium and Standard/Full rig are the largest. If looking to buy a second-hand laser, you should make sure it has the following:
- 4.7 mainsail and matching bottom section of mast (recommended for a first-time laser owner)
- Radial sail if available (good to grow into)
- XD system (outhaul & downhaul blocks are on the deck)
- Spars boom, bottom section (this changes with the sail sizes) & top section (these are all the same)
- Foils - daggerboard and rudder
- Hull in good condition, pay close attention to the mast step, around the daggerboard, bow, stern and gunnels, also look for watertight inspection hatches and bung
- Launching trolley - make sure it is in good condition
- Cover
The following are less expensive to buy if the boat doesn't have them:
- Tiller and tiller extension
- Toe straps
- Batons
- Adequate sheeting and replacement lines etc.
Double Handers:
- RS Feva
- RS 200
- 420
- Fireball
Double handers would need similar equipment to the lasers, with the exception of the addition of potential spinnakers and trapeze wires. These are good to check, along with the stays and spreaders. Also look at the centreboard casing.
Note: All boats will benefit from a decent cover that will protect them from UV damage and water damage, and from the effects of salt and general exposure to the elements.
Ask the experts!
The easiest way to ensure you are getting a decent boat at a reasonable price is to ask our Senior Instructor or one of our Advanced Instructors to have a look at it for you, either in person or to look at a video or photos of the boat. They have all been sailing for a long time themselves, they know dinghies very well and they would be very happy to give you a steer.
Shop local
Members often buy and sell boats within the club, so if you are looking for a boat ask the SI if they know of any boats for sale or about to be sold. Ask your sailing friends and then start looking on the websites of Sailing Clubs, apolloduck.ie, Done Deal and adverts.ie. The closer the boat you buy is to Bray, the easier it will be to transport it when you make your purchase. A seller might be happy to bring a boat from Greystones or Dún Laoghaire, less happy to bring it from Donegal, or Howth...
Insure your boat
All boats stored in the club must have adequate third party insurance to cover any incidents that might occur on the water or in the pen etc. It is worth checking your household insurance provider to see if it will provide cover. Craftinsure is also a popular option for dinghy sailors.
Please email training@braysailingclub.ie or instructor@braysailingclub.ie with any questions.
Last updated 11:13 on 29 July 2026
