Congratulations ... I've just complete sea trials on my conversion of a Gull Mk1 hull from 1961 from a standard Gunter rig to a Gaff Cutter rig. My desire was to provide the most stable platform possible in order to teach my Grand-children how to sail as well as to enjoy myself Dinghy Cruising in and around Europe (my home waters are the western end of the Solent here in the UK). So a bowsprit was added and the boom extended beyond the transom to lower and widen the points of pressure in the sails. The sail configuration was cut down by hull length from a Cornish Shrimper which I have owned for many years. The first sea trials went well with just the new Jib and Main, but it was decided to try adding back the original Jib position as a Staysail. She is now excellent on all points of sailing .. proof positive is when all other 3m dingies have headed headed back to base in strengthening winds and the really choppy seas we encounter here .. I am the only dinghy still out there, sailing more than comfortably, with little spray headed inboard and only a slight heel. A few days ago I was un-intentionally catching on a long windward tack a boat twice the hull length (my hull was definitely planing) and whereas his Bermuda rig with either a Genoa or No. 1 was over on her gunwales, my hull was only heeling a few degrees. So far a complete success .. with many happy sailing days to come.
@@brendancarroll9376 I got few sailing boats and a mirror too and freedom and space in Australia ,mate ..I disagree I got what I want in life ..and I deserve everything .. differents approche to life I suppose ...
Hi Catherine. The song you didn’t like was called ‘You can’t always get what you want’ by the Rolling Stones, I didn’t mean you personally. I have a mirror too, and a Drascombe Lugger. Australia looks beautiful. We don’t have your weather here but there are no crocs sharks snakes or spiders to bother us.
I thought it was great you included the LEARNING and FAILING - something everybody does but rarely admits to. You have a fine looking vessel. Thanks for sharing
I spent my early teenage years sailing mirrors and hanging out with the first or second person to get a licence to build fibreglass mirrors. As a side hobby he would test everything, straight masts with trapeze, double the centreboard length no probs, fill the centreboard case and put a 3 hp engine on the back and go fishing 3 miles offshore, yep we did it. His boats always came in the top 3 in Australian national championships and came second in the 93 or 94 worlds in horn Holland. He would think this boat awesome, and so do I. Johnny Colliva Vasco boats if you see one for sale grab it.
That's really good. How did it sail for you. Are you happy with the results. You put a lot of work into the mirror. I have one as well, here in Shetland. Take care.
That's a nice base for modification. I like the stubby forend as you save length space and it does not look ugly. I'm looking at building a small boat like a 2.5 meter I think. Just big enough to get in. Very nice update to a classic boat.
This is an impressive modification of the original Mirror sail pattern. I am considering buying a Mirror and would welcome learning more about your considerations in designing the cutter sail plan. Thanks in advance.
The project was mostly a bit crazy way to test new ideas in full scale. Transform a small dinghy to... something different. And the gennaker is fast fun und good looking :) You sail with lot of energy down wind and even beam reach.
