Mirror Dinghy Camping

Overnight in a Mirror Dinghy

[@darrenclarku.e.9988]

Hello David! I wanted to let you know that for years your videos have inspired hours and hours of my imagination and urge to get "out there". (my wife calls me a 12 year old boy adventurer with 42 years experience). I have lusted after a Mirror dinghy since coming across your site and learning about the perfect small craft. Due to the expense of importing kits, there are not very many Mirrors here in Canada, but just TODAY I finally found one, and quite a decent one at that!!! No. 20763 is now on her cart in my garage waiting for a refinish and refit. Can't wait to get out own cruising adventures started! Thank you so much for everything!!!!

[@msf60khz]

Hello Darren. Thank you for the nice comments. Very exciting to get your own boat at last. When you start sailing, try to build up very slowly and gain experience gradually.

[@darrenclarku.e.9988]

@@msf60khz Hi David. Unfortunately we've had to learn that lesson the hard way. An ill-advised, inappropriate purchase of a 26 foot fin keel cruiser/racer and the consequential fallout soured us on sailing and boat ownership for almost a decade before I finally found a Mirror. Our plan is to learn and practice on the privacy of Canadian Shield back lakes, and as confidence grows building up to Coastal adventures on the shores of Lake Ontario and the Thousand Islands. Only this small, inexpensive, uncomplicated, multi tasker of a craft could have brought me back to the idea of pleasurable boating again, and only your videos could have convinced me of the Mirrors capabilities.

[@peugeotsport5]

Yet another excellent video - great sense of quiet, peaceful tranquility - and the versatility of the Mirror! Brilliantly done 👌

[@msf60khz]

Thank you.

[@chrisshelton3504]

David, Thank you so much for sharing how you put your Mirror into “camp” mode. Very valuable!

[@msf60khz]

My pleasure.

[@SailingBritaly]

Hi David, this is absolutely brilliant, thank you for sharing. I would love to get a Mirror Dinghy and go cruising like this. I have always found going back to basics in nature to be very good for the soul. I'll follow in your footsteps sooner or later, in the meantime thank you for the inspiration. Cheers, Chris

[@msf60khz]

Hurry up, Chris.

[@finding_mojo]

Good to see a new video from you. We've been cruising in the Sandy Straits, Qld Australia in a Mirror in company with some others and camping on Fraser Island. Love it.

[@msf60khz]

I was so surprised to know you saw my video from Fraser Island. Thank you.

[@09mrdon]

Perfect little craft and very ingenious rig. Hello from the Adirondacks of New York, USA. I really enjoyed seeing your video. Thank you for sharing such nice details. I look forward to following your travels and tips, as I'm building a 15ft sailing dinghy of my own. Cheers and Many Thanks!

[@msf60khz]

Thanks for the comment and I hope you get the boat finished very soon,

[@PamelinaWeena]

Thank you for your informative videos. I watched them all when I first bought my Mirror a year ago. Looking at them again with some experience with her has made everything clearer to me. I also was thrilled with the questions and answers about the boom tent posted 5 months ago. Must remember to keep checking back. Thanks again for your adventurous soul!

[@msf60khz]

Glad you enjoy the videos, Pam.

[@williamavery9185]

We would so enjoy reading of your adventures pls. Do keep us imformed. Do you have a self inflating doll as well ?

[@zenblack476]

One of my favourite things to do is take my cruising dinghy up a creek great video

[@cdantzer4984]

You showing the versatility of the mirror,well done yet again. Thank you.

[@msf60khz]

Thank you.

[@davidpinney7400]

Thank. you for demonstrating the ingenuity involved in the camping adeptation greatly increasing the usefulness of the boat.

[@msf60khz]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@AdventuresInReach]

Hey. Love it. I saw this once before and just came across it again. I've been camping and making videos about camping with my Sunfish Sailboat and it's always fun to see others doing more with their gear than what it might be intended for.

[@msf60khz]

Thanks for the comment. I am pleased you likked the video. I see that you do boat camping in quite challenging locations on Lake Superior. Camping ashore is often a problem here but we can anchor pretty much anywhere and camp afloat.

[@AdventuresInReach]

@@msf60khz That's a big perk. I'm headed to Isle Royale soon. There are several campsites with access, but in between is mostly rocky ledges. Maybe I'll find a way to sleep on a Sunfish...

[@chrisleggatt3240]

I too own a mirror for cruising. Thankyou for the numerous ideas I have shamelessly stolen from you! I am looking forward to some serious adventures this year thanks to your help and inspiration 🙂

[@msf60khz]

Congratulations Chris. Do start off gently.

[@chrisleggatt3240]

I shall 😉. A night aboard where I store her is my first planned big adventure. 🤞

[@jlmonks]

Why this channel isn't the default when you search 'Dinghy Cruising Association' is just beyond me - excellent stuff!

[@msf60khz]

Thank you.

[@rossbarnett3759]

Well managed with the camera and one handed jobs that's not easy. Enjoyed the scenic views and the possibilities with such a dinghy.

[@msf60khz]

Thank you, Ross.

[@kevinu.k.7042]

What a totally enjoyable video. On this wet February morning it has brought me a little sunshine. Nicely filmed too. Tho' sailing with an anchor ball hoisted. That'll fool 'em! Looking forward to more of your videos. Strength to you.

[@msf60khz]

Thank you, Kevin, but I did take down the anchor ball once underway. The radar reflector is needed when crossing the Solent shipping lanes, which might take up to 15 minutes.

[@williamavery9185]

Where did he get that self inflating doll ? Need it on those boards. I would have put the hinges in the other side. Could cause a punture.

[@AndysEastCoastAdventures]

Great video, go sail cruising in my bigger boat and also love a bit of wild camping including with a kayak but looking to add a mirror to my fleet for some back to basic gentle dinghy cruising.

[@msf60khz]

Thanks Andy. I am sure you will enjoy the Mirror.

[@kevinu.k.7042]

Came across this video again. Great stuff. I hope you made it through lock down and are back on the water. :)

[@msf60khz]

Thank you Kevin. Just starting up again but I am amazingly rusty.

[@peterdavid371]

I really enjoy your videos. You've inspired me to buy a Mirror. I was thinking about a GP or Enterprise. You have a very calm and understated style. Now all I've got to do is fit out my new Mirror.

[@msf60khz]

Thank you for commenting. Peter. Try the boat first on a duck pond or similar. Just try oars and a jib for downwind! The boat makes a lovely noise going over the water. Then build up slowly, a bit more each time, so it is enjoyable. Glad you have chosen a Mirror which will give you great fun. D

[@peterdavid371]

@@msf60khz Thanks for reply. I have experience of sailing but in yachts. So I will be taking things slowly. Do you wear a dry suit. I notice you do winter cruising.

[@msf60khz]

Hi Peter I wear a dry suit in Winter but lighter gear in Summer. The issue is cold water but warm air - then its a problem, so Spring is difficult.

[@peterdavid371]

@@msf60khz You carry a lot of gear on board. Have you ever capsized. In one of your videos you seem to be carrying a Secumar mast float or similar.

[@msf60khz]

@@peterdavid371 Hi Peter. No I have not capsized. Everything is tied in. If you are camping you need a lot of things such as sleeping bag and clothes. If day sailing at sea you still need navigation items, warm clothing, oars, tools, food, water, flares etc. Yes I do have a Secumar anti inversion float.

[@Captain_Bartolo]

Thank you for upload!!! ⛵❤️

[@teresitasamonte1074]

One of my favorites is watching dinghy camp. Enjoyed watching you here.

[@msf60khz]

Glad you enjoy the video.

[@piotrn9309]

Nice and simple sailing. This is it. Thank you

[@ameliamavor411]

love the video and the boat!

[@msf60khz]

Thank you

[@nigelmtb]

Great video - wonderful to see this side of your voyages. I sometimes charter in the Solent and I'm always looking out for you... I would love to get into this type of sailing. One day...

[@msf60khz]

Hi Nigel. Get a boat for a few pounds and try it!

[@WoodoakWilderness]

@@msf60khz I keep my eye open for a small boat like that but never find any.

[@msf60khz]

@@WoodoakWilderness Mirror Dinghies are often for sale at a reasonable price - ask at a sailing club, or search the web. About 80,000 were made and you can still buy a new one or a kit.

[@nobleroman5601]

Thank you so very much for sharing this video with us all.

[@msf60khz]

My pleasure.

[@jonathanoasis]

sweet setup, simple, cheap, easy. would be a great upgrade to use sunbrella or some fabric like that instead of a plastic crinkly tarp. ripstop is a bit too thin for boat use I would guess. a setup like this could work well in california delta too although tides are not that extreme to give such a shoreline.

[@msf60khz]

Thank you Jonathan. Some people like a breathable material for a tent, or traditional canvas. But for my case it must be light and easy to roll up with cold hands. I agree ripstop is too thin.

[@arekkaniewski4442]

I have a mirror that I sail and camp in Canada. I noticed that your centerboard trunk is extended past the seat. Did you modify the boat to have a swing centerboard instead of the original mirror daggerboard? Great videos, I like you sense of adventure, be it camping in a creek or sailing the Solent. Have you entertained the idea of other places you would like to explore? The broads, or further.

[@msf60khz]

Thanks for the comment. The C/B is modified to be the swinging type. I have sailed the boat in Scotland and hope to sail in SW England in the summer; I especially want to cross Lyme Bay.

[@fish-hawk5903]

Perfect winter viewing, such peace and welcoming warmth. I admire your January sailing videos too, but these summer scenes make me plan my own dinghy days (and maybe nights) ahead. Does it not worry you, using a 'fisherman' anchor with a downward and an upward fluke, that may hole your hull if the boat is wind-rode and settles on it, on the ebb?

[@msf60khz]

Thank you Fish-hawk. Well the Fisherman is such a good anchor, we just need to be careful with it. I usually carry a Danforth as well for certain situations or as a kedge for holding the boat off a beach or pontoon.

[@CoolBreeze640]

Very good video and nice dinghy! Is the boom tent secure from mosquitoes? It seems there would be many in the creeks.

[@msf60khz]

Thank you for the nice comment. Luckily in the Sourthern UK we do not have a serious mosquito problem. I think the worst part of ther country for this is Scotland where there are areas with lots of midges.

[@AndyJarman]

Suggestions Bungee chords around simple knobs to hold tarp onto hull. Use existing red buckled tabs to gather sail when deploying tent - no need for separate sail ties. Ever thought of using the oars across the boat to guy-out the tarp onto? Roger Barnes has complained about condensation. With a tarp bungeed out beyond the gunwhales you'd benefit from cross breeze through the gap between gunwhales and tarp. Water falling onto tarp she'd off further away from boat, more room inside and less condensation. Hold oars in place against gunwhales with bungees attached to scissors and shrouds/mast? If you are carrying one 'stick' purely to roll tent tent around, why not carry two? Use whippy carbon fibre and use them across the gaff above the oars to pull the ends of the tent away from the gunnel. This would give you a trapezoidal cross section to your tent, much roomier than your current little triangle. I just heard you complain about draft getting inside tent. Backpackers welcome draft to reduce condensation. The secret is to get a breathable bivy bag with fly mesh face panel, long side zip and hoop to keep mesh off face. This keeps mossies and drafts out, warmth in. Under a tarp a bivy bag needn't be waterproof either, a repurposed single duvet cover might do? Recommend you make friends with a "thread projection device" operator. Two piece collapsible radar reflector. Two corrugated plastic squares (like corrugated cardboard). Each square with a slot in it for receiving the other square's slot. Glue aluminium foil over surface of both squares. Wire rope loop and micro caribiner for attaching to gaff halyard. Inflatable fenders: www.easystowfenders.com/fdrvalves.html Roll boat up above high tide on them, prop boat upright on a sloping river bed with them, you can even hang them over the gunwhales to stop others bashing your boat.

[@msf60khz]

Thank you, Andy. Usually it is so cold I have to block off draughts! D

[@matthewmicallef6262]

Great video, but i would liked to see more on the boat's rigging... its killing me with curiosity! lol

[@msf60khz]

Hi Matthew If you watch my videos called Mirror Mods they show the rigging. Thanks for your nice comment.

[@derekjanzen9745]

I like this video, I have a dinghy too, but I've only sailed one year. I haven't gotten the courage to camp yet. What if you lashed the "sticks" to the boom? Might get them out of the way?

[@msf60khz]

Thank you for the comment. The tent is fixed below the boom which prevents anything being lashed to it.

[@beneathpavement1]

Hi David, the time has come to make my tent (I already have a bed-board). I presume your tent is screwed into the underside of your boom. Did you have to move the outhaul etc? Do you remember what size of tarp you started off with?

[@msf60khz]

There is normally nothing under the boom. You do have to rearrange the kicker so it loops round tent and boom. The tent is attached to the boom using a long strip of wood inside the tent, which is screwed through the tarp. You need a big tarp, because you have to create doors having plenty of overlap at front and back. Maybe 3m wide by 4m long, but you need to go to the boat and use a tape measure so you can estimate. I put some webbing straps around the rolled tent and they are trapped under the wood strip. I used some nuts as spacers to stop capillary action due to the wood being in close contact with the boom to avoid rot. To make the tent, drape the tarp over the boom on its crutch and fix it in place using gaffer tape. Then cut along the bottom edges to create some 6 inches hanging down the outside of the boat. Then try to fold it to shape the ends and to make overlapping doors. Then you need to make little holes under the gunwale to pass cords through. I put brass eyelets in the wood holes. Then you can secure the cords with anorak bullets. The cords lie inside the tent not outside. Then make ties to go around the mast at the front. Then work out how to make doors using ties or velcro etc. Actually, just be a tailor with a big pair of scissors and work roughly and it will be fine. D

[@anleopienaar2071]

Hi, awesome video. I'm looking at adding oarlocks to my Mirror as well - is there anything you can share about the positioning or extra support needed, securing them to the dinghy? Thank you,

[@msf60khz]

Hi Anleo. I think the Mirror has standard position for the rowlocks and has mounting blocks, which seem OK to me. People do recommend longer oars if you can find somewhere to carry them. david

[@user-jm1un3hs3o]

Рад видеть родственную душу. Удачи.

[@msf60khz]

Thank you, glad you are sailing.

[@martyjames6204]

lovely English countryside - must be wonderful sleeping out in that environment. Are there regluations re where you can drop anchor and setup camp for the night? cheers

[@msf60khz]

You can do anything you like in GB unless someone has made law against it, so you can anchor pretty much anywhere not in a marked channel. Most shoreline is Crown property below HW so that is also OK. Rivers tend to have banks which someone owns, but there are still all sorts of places possible.

[@martyjames6204]

@@msf60khz fantastic - im in Australia and theres a rule/law for everything!

[@AndyJarman]

@@martyjames6204 I'm in Perth, one too many layers of government here in my opinion. Better to ask forgiveness than permission is my motto. National Parks in WA used to have an advisory web page on backpacking in National Parks and on the same website advice camping was not permitted outside designated campsites. Despite all the regulatory signs, our great outdoors is still relatively empty and unpoliced. I'd hate to be a ranger, they're the butt of jokes from everyone who uses the National Parks.

[@brimstone33]

Ever consider installing hatches in those side floatation benches? You could get some of that stuff out of your way.

[@msf60khz]

I do have hatches in the side compartments but the main problem is that things slide down the compartment and I can't reach them. Thanks for the comment.

[@brimstone33]

@@msf60khz Hey thanks. Saw some of your "Mods" videos. I have a light plywood dinghy, "Swifty 12" made from a kit by a designer called Fred Shell at Shell Boats here in the States. You can see some videos of his rather unique and interesting boats on KZbin and at his website. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rYXMlIGVp6Z5sLs&feature=emb_logo The boat I have is third-hand and at least 20 years old. It's just a bit larger than a Mirror, with a single Leg o' Mutton sail. It has a folding mast and a curved sprit-boom. The newer versions have flotation bench seats and I am going to add those to mine. With your experience, I think I'll divide them with baffles and add some oval kayak hatches with rubber stretch-on covers. I may make them from cellular PVC board which is readily available here as it's used for house trim. Love your videos!

[@msf60khz]

@@brimstone33 Beautiful little boat.

[@user-jm1un3hs3o]

Спасибо за ответ. На самом деле у меня кроме лодки Арджи - 15 , которая подобна вашей. Есть яхта - 10 метров. Есть байдарка - для не длительных походов. И лодки для рыбалки. А где вы совершаете свои плавания.

[@coalfieldbeelovergerald3687]

Nice 👍

[@Sianep107]

How did you make your boom crutch and attach it to the boat ?

[@msf60khz]

It is two pieces of wood about 2 x 1 cm, pivoted with a bolt. At the base of the scissors, my outboard is in the way. I managed to make a fixing using small blocks of wood outside the transom. I used some metal fittings on the end of the wooden pieces. If you do not have an outboard, the boom critch can be fixed to the transom directly, or even just stood up on the deck. It is tied to the boom.

[@NeilHinds-su6rt]

Just a usefull suggestion, you need longer oars, especially from rolick to hands.

[@msf60khz]

Thank you, Neil. It is just the problem of storing longer oars.

[@steveharris3606]

Shabba, just the job! Makes the kids of today think!

[@nicholasbell9017]

I am guessing this is the upper Hamble river, am I right?

[@johnrushmer1069]

What type of tiller tamer are you using?

[@msf60khz]

John It is a DCA design called the Huntingford Helm Impeder, and it is just rope and elastic but works brilliantly. You can adjust the friction over a wide range,.

[@giveitaswingoutdoorswithsm2901]

The closest I have Come to Mirror Dingies was when they sailed over My lines when Pike fishing on Hornsea Mere or a direct ramming speed impact from less experienced sailors 😅 I have non the less always had an interest in your branche of enjoying the water and realy enjoy your vlogs, Kind regards Smith

[@msf60khz]

Thank you.

[@PugwashCornwall]

Inspirational

[@CaptMarkSVAlcina]

Hi , have you read the book The Unlikely Voyage of JACK de CROW by A.J. Mackinnon. It about a Mirror that row, sail over 4900 kilometres in England to the Black Sea

[@msf60khz]

Hi Capt, I have read the book, which is so entertaining.

[@CaptMarkSVAlcina]

Mirror Cruising , he came to my yacht club to give a talk about it but I was away at the time.

[@surreyarborist]

What creek were up?

[@kevinonorato7223]

Question, I am 6'3" and weigh about 250 lbs. Can I sail one of these? There's a beautiful one for sale near me and I really want to try.

[@kevinonorato7223]

And thanks for the great video.

[@msf60khz]

@@kevinonorato7223 Kevin Thanks for the nice comment. The boom is very low - that may be the problem. Otherwise weight alone is useful. D

[@kevinonorato7223]

@@msf60khz saw a video of a guy wearing a helmet. Didn't seem extreme to me. I bet he'd gotten a few bumps and decided to protect.

[@kevinonorato7223]

@@msf60khz question 2. Local guy has a 1970 mirror in like new condition for 1100$ US. Good sails, wooden mast. Sound reasonable?

[@msf60khz]

@@kevinonorato7223 That sounds too much in my opinion, but the boats are not not as common in the US as here in UK. It needs to be in excellent condition at that price, with a good trailer and sails.

[@seanhunt138]

I wish I had a mirror

[@msf60khz]

Not very expensive, Sean, but difficuolt to find in some countries.

[@MrFergusferret]

Lovely way to go camping!!!

[@msf60khz]

I hope you will try something like this.

[@SuperBullyone]

so you put up an anchor ball? nice touch.

[@msf60khz]

Thank you John. It's just to maintain a professional approach, not really needed.

[@SuperBullyone]

@@msf60khz better safe than sorry. And you are under Maritime Law, so the rules are different. It is good to play by the rules.

[@user-qq2pp9qy4f]

Прекрасное видео, что за река, по которой вы идете?

[@msf60khz]

Thank you. The river Hamble is fairly small, maybe 250m wide on average, very popular for yachts. A small boat can travel up the river under low bridges where yachts cannot go. Which country are you in?

[@user-qq2pp9qy4f]

@@msf60khz north-west of russia. City vologda. Я хожу в сплавы по реке Сухоне, на пвх лодке. 650 км по течению и столько же обратно. У нас зима 7 месяцев в году, поэтому хожу только с конца мая по август. С середины августа реки мелеют сильно. У меня мечта - от Вологды по реке Сухона и Северная двина добраться до Белого моря.

[@msf60khz]

Я вижу твой город и реки Вологду, Северную Двину и Сухону. Вы очень предприимчивы, чтобы совершить такое долгое путешествие.

[@RA3TTS]

I see you have a corner reflector, it increases your visibility on the radar, and your safety. Very witty.

[@themadmechanic1964]

fantastic .. just so me that

[@MrWhothefoxthat]

have you got this boat up for sale.

[@msf60khz]

Sorry, not for sale.

[@TomasG42]

Oars seem to be a little short.

[@msf60khz]

Yes oars would be better longer but cannot store long oars very easily. Boat still rows quite fast.

[@ooweesaler]

Why is he rowing a sail boat?

[@msf60khz]

Well oowee, thank you for the comment. Sometimes the wind does not blow; other times we cannot sail directly into the wind and restricted space means we have to row. Rowing is a very nice activity by the way.

[@pauljnolan1000]

Oars a bit short, don't you think?

[@msf60khz]

Yes long oars are better but difficult to carry. I find I am as fast as a kayak! D

[@fernandodemartino2821]

Good ideas but ... so depressing! Can't you make things more tidy, more clean, more beautiful? Everything look useful but, so ugly! No elegance. Why? What do you need a radar reflector for? How do you manage in case of accident or capsize with all that mess. Sorry if I am honest about sharing my opinion, Fernando de Martino

[@msf60khz]

Hello Fernando. It is very difficult to accommodate tidily everything needed for 3 days cruising in an 11 foot boat, especially in a cold country, where we need wet weather gear. Food and water are a big problem. The radar reflector is needed because we sail across shipping lanes in poor visibility. So far as possible, everything is tied into the boat.