Simple lug rigs for ease of-handling make these ‘popular tenders for discerning sailors’ Clive’s choice for single-handed dinghy cruising
Clive Marsh discovered small boats while working for Canadian Pacific Steamships and is a past Commodore of the Merchant Navy Association Boat Club. In this series he shares tales from his 50 years of boat ownership.
Allan Earl, the author of the marvellous book Dinghy Cruising, published in 1945 successfully sailed his 10ft clinker dinghy all along the Dorset, Hampshire and Sussex coast.
And as the knowledgeable Allan said: ‘A light man or woman should not have a large boat as the seaworthiness of a dinghy depends largely on the way the crew sit her up, and he/she will not have the weight to keep a large boat under full control unless she is under-canvassed. It is also probable that he/she will not have the strength to pull her up a rough beach’.
So let’s look at the smallest of cruising dinghies, the Emsworth Lugger.
My dinghy
The Emsworth Lugger, once built by Dorado Boats of Emsworth, is a traditional lug sail dinghy much favoured by discerning yachting folk as a sailing tender. They are useful little working boats and the simple lug rig with no stays makes for ease of handling and sailing.
The GRP simulated clinker hull with wine glass transom and skeg is attractive to those who appreciate the lines of classic boats. They are often seen hanging from the stern davits of traditional yachts.
But for me, the Emsworth Lugger is an excellent little sailboat for single-handed dinghy cruising.
Under sail
The Dinghy Cruising Association has thousands of members throughout the world and I’ve noticed that older members like me tend to favour lighter boats–we’ve learned that hauling heavy boats up a slipway is not good for your health.
Also, as we get older and our young crews are getting on with their lives we increasingly sail alone. I do keep a bigger boat for when I have company, but the Emsworth Lugger is more fun when sailed solo. It is easily launched and recovered single-handed without the need for a tractor or a car. It can also be beach launched.
Being under 10ft, the position of the helm and crew in this dinghy has a noticeable effect on performance. Lighter helms might simply lean back on the aft bulkhead while seated on the cockpit sole. However, it’s best to keep the boat properly trimmed by careful positioning of the crew and any heavy equipment. In stronger winds, the helm or crew can provide ballast by sitting to windward.
The Emsworth Lugger is comfortable and predictable to sail and can carry a reasonable amount of ‘stuff’ when in use as a tender under oar or motor. It’s comfortably sailed with the addition of a small child up
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