Plastic Classic Forum

What do you guys think of a Dyer 12.5 as a dingy.

http://www.dyerboats.com/dyer_daysailer.html



I think it will be a little big. No way to get it on deck, but should tow well and be a great little sailboat.

Anyone have one or sailed/rowed one care to comment?

Ric

My only Dyer experience is with the 8-footer. I imagine the 12.5 is similar, but obviously larger, which might be a good thing.

I used to think the Dyer was the ideal hard dinghy and had planned to get one before we ended up with the Fatty Knees instead, but the last time I got in a Dyer I was unpleasantly surprised by the shallowness of the boat and its general tippiness. I guess I've been spoiled by my Fatty Knees, which is a huge 8-footer. The 12.5 ought to be better than the 8 in this respect, I would guess.

I have the 9' Dyer Dhow. It is a bit tippy, but it tows remarkably well. The hull on the 12.5 is different (I think it is a Rhodes design), so the experience of smaller Dyers may not be applicable.

I think Dyer makes a cut down 8 and a high side 8...so I am not surprised at the shallowness comment.

I think it is going to be a big boat and I am worried about HAVING to tow it in conditions that I'd rather have it on deck.

I do have a walker bay 8 that I can take on longer trips, but it is so small and the weight limit means lots of trips to get me, my wife and 3 kids off the boat...

The Dyer has a 1000#+ limit...so we could have a party on that boat!!!

Anyone else seen one/ sailed one/ rowed one OR have any experience with a too big tender?

My wife is talking about selling the WB8...but maybe we should keep both and use the Dyer as the sail trainer/ marina light air fun boat.

Thanks for the input I appreciate it!!!

I really like the big Dyer. I just became the proud owner of the 8 footer (Dyer Midget) last week. I have not had the opportunity to try it out. I have sailed the Dyer Dow, like it very much as a tender and know that is a popular Frost Biter among many clubs for its quirky sailing. I believe that the Dow would work very well as 'tow behind' tender for bay. sound and coastal gunk hole work. Being that I am in the L.I.S. and moore the boat in a calm river, I am sure that my Mdiget will do fine but I have my eye out for an Eric Dow Pea Pod or a Phil Bolger 'Light Dory'. I am seriously considering the build of my own Light Dory this winter - if I do - I intend on taking it to full blown production- so the sussing up process is a bit more involved. (reasoable shop space appears to be non-existent)

I bought the Dyer Dhow 12.5!!

Boat looks phenomenal. Lots of new goodies and meticulously cared for by the previous owner (who happened to be an old HS friend).

Will take lots of pics once there is light.

Going to be a real big tender, so I won't be getting rid of my walker bay anytime soon, but this was such a great boat I couldn't pass it up.

Now....when can I get down to the marina for a sail???

Cool! Congrats :-)

Just in time for some nice weather and wind, too.

That is great! You will not be dissapointed. I stopped into the Norwalk Boatshow yesterday and ordered a new inside and outside rail kit for my Midget - so I guess I have yet another Fall project. Should be fairly approachable. Dyer is great company, so if you are ever in need of 12.5 parts they can most likely get them to you.

There are tons of parameters people can discuss/debate concerning dinghies. It seems you have weeded through them and come to a conclusion. Congratulations!

Choosing a tender that sails I predict you will never regret. Next time you are in a new harbor, you have set and inspected your anchor, rigged your dinghy, mixed your favorite rum drink and set sail for a cruise of the local scenery (other anchored boats are scenery too), you will be reminded again of your decision.

Well we rigged her up in the driveway and the kids got a chance to check her out.



She was lovingly overhauled about 7 years ago and has been maintained in top condition since then.



Came with the original main and jib in baby blue in decent shape.

Recent UK Main, recent UK reacher (loose luff, sheeted like a spinnaker!), new mast, boom, Harken rigging, centerboard, rudder, imron exterior, nice trailer.

She can be sailed with the mast forward as a cat or with the mast aft as a sloop and you can use the 'chute either way.


We really couldn't be more thrilled with her and can't wait to sail her. She is a Rhodes designs so she should sail fine. The previous owner says she will plane fairly easily.

She looks like a fun boat, and perfect for your boys to learn the essentials of sailing.

Whether she's too big for a tender or not is debatable, but either way it looks like you made a great purchase. Enjoy!

Boy, does that look like fun! Just right for those evenings where you'd like to be on the water, but just don't have the time to take the big boat out. A friend of mine used to have a smallish Gieger designed sloop that we would sail up and down Salt Ponds when, for whatever reason, the big boats weren't practical. I found out a long time ago, on a Beetle Cat, that you can have about 90% of the fun of sailing a big boat sailing a small one. I imagine you'll get a lot of use out of that little boat.

Took the two little ones out for a sail under main alone this Saturday with the Dyer 12.5.

Gust to 15+ and real shifty, but no waves as we were up the creek a ways.

Boat handled it very well. Almost got it planing a couple of times.

Sailed great upwind and down, though I wish it had a vang.

My youngest spent the entire time with hands in the river. My middle was a bit hesitant since he has been reading about capsizing and recovery....and didn't want that to happen.

I showed him ease. or pinch to depower, shift your weight out, trim in and GO!! and he was much better with it.

The boat is going to be a great little sail trainer.

Capsize drill. ASAP. Before he reads another word. :)