Mirror Mods, Part 1

Showing the modifications to Curlew, a cruising Mirror. Part 1 shows the hull, centre case, stowage boxes/seats, hatch covers, anchor stowage, bilge pumps, electrics and aerofoil rudder.
For cruising information, have a look at dinghycruising.org.uk.

[@msf60khz]

Nick. Thanks for the comment. Of course the bilge pump is a luxury, as the little battery will eventually run down. But it proved useful when I was holed, because it kept pumping out ten gallons a minute whilst I dealt with the emergency. Also, on a rough sea crossing, I have to pump for 30 seconds every few minutes to keep the water under control..If struggling to beat to windward, it is very easy to switch on the electric pump occasionally.

[@BigmacbushcraftCoUkOutdoors]

Fantastic mods, very well thought out and implemented. Just about to start renovation of a 1971 Mirror so looking for videos like this. Great, thanks for sharing ATB Mac

[@harrisonaard1]

A fair few ingenious modifications on that little beauty. You have bolstered my confidence, and inspired me further. Very good.

[@neleabels]

Nice boat. I like the rugged wooden look of your dinghy, it must be fun to sail it. I wish I had one! :)

[@psocretes8183]

I take my hat off to you sir. Love your sailing vids. Thank you.

[@MrBowsmith]

I see your point, a rude awakening indeed. I used one fitted to an Express dinghy and had no issues with it, in fact it worked very well, but of course you do have to be moving. Thanks for the look at your work on the mods, very nice, best regards, Bob.

[@phillycheeseman]

Brilliant content - very helpful. Thanks from Mirror 51173 in Canada...

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

very nice rudder, enjoyed the video!

[@frundlemud]

lovely video ta

[@davemakesawave]

Please upload part 2. You are a sailing genius.

[@ianstandingford3463]

Music so much better than the usual plinky-plonky stuff!

[@wilsonjosesilva8751]

Thanks for sharing the tips

[@msf60khz]

Thank you for the comments Ricky. The centreboard details should be on the New Mirror Forum. I don't think a heavy centreboard helps very much, but just careful sailing will keep you safe. I have steps on my rudder to allow climbing back in. david

[@charlesfrancis6323]

I love tne hatch cover for up by tne mast. I think I might use that.

[@mheermance]

Mirror's are neat boats, they pack a lot of function into a compact package. It's too bad they didn't catch on as much in the US.

[@msf60khz]

My dagger case was ripped right out when I hit a rock! Then I discovered some hidden rot. The compass is affected very little by the anchor. You have to be careful about food tins though. I agonised about putting in the hatch, but eventually I needed to inspect the chamber. It is reliably watertight but needs care with installation, and I doubled the number of screws.

[@nick69414]

An electric bilge pump on a mirror dinghy! Wow it's hard to imagine when you would need it.

[@duncanbobbin3988]

Great vids, looking forwards to mirror mods two. Hoping you'll share your reefing system with us. cheers from 22119

[@rockykoast7065]

Hi David. I'm impressed with your sailing and Mirror set-up. I'm looking for details on how to do the centreboard conversion, perhaps with a steel centreboard? 🤔 I already installed a jib furler and reefing for the main. At 68 & with some degree of disability due to Waldenstroms-associated neuropathy I want to minimize risk of capsize as when I tested getting back onboard, I found it pretty difficult. For safe testing I stuck an anchor on a beach & pushed the boat out till I could no longer touch bottom.. couldn't get in over the transom, but managed to get over the side with some difficulty.

[@msf60khz]

Hi Rocky I don't think a heavy centreboard is an answer to it. It does not give enough righting moment and is dangerous. I suggest mast head buouyancy, pluse righting lines. To climb into the boat I have steps on the rudder, which work. David

[@Captain_Bartolo]

Excellent! ⛵🌬🌬🌬

[@pauljohnson3316]

Thanks for the fascinating video, very helpful. A question, I like the idea of the swinging centre board, would it be feasable to make a ballasted centre board to cut out the risks of a capsize? The Laser Stratos has this feature. How much longer is your rudder compared to a standerd Mirror rudder. Would appreciate your input. looking forward to part 2.

[@mikemaxbailey429]

Enjoying your videos David, do you have any sketches for your centre board arrangements? Mine is leaking slightly and before i try and repair it i might go down the route of alterations. Any help would be great thanks

[@davefreeman9847]

I had a Mirror 1970 and built two for people.

[@davidnavin6285]

I've just purchased a Mirror dinghy, it's the 1st boat I've ever owned. I want to use your boat as a guide to how I want mine to be. These video's are a blessing, thank you. By the way, would installing a solar panel help to charge the bilge pump batteries whilst on the go?

[@user-ck1nt9ie7h]

Молодец мужик

[@MrBowsmith]

That's true, a rude awakening indeed. My personal experience of them is limited to one fitted to an Express dinghy, I had no issues with it and it worked well, sure it had to, about 25% of my sailing time was spent righting the boat and then sailing fast enough to let the S/B do it's thing. Cruising would seem to be a far more civilised form of boating. Best regards, Bob.

[@MN-wf8hr]

Hello, i'm really enjoying your videos! Just curious what you use in terms of nav lights, Thank you! Fair winds!

[@msf60khz]

Thank you for your nice comment. I have a white all round LED nav light made by Plastimo. Operated from a 12 volt 2.3 A-h lead acid gel battery. When at anchor I use an LED battery lantern tied to the jib halliard.

[@harmerc313]

Hi. Cool vids of your voyages. Been encouraging to watch while ive been fixing up my mirror. Could you tell me the dimensions of your oars as i need to make a pair for mine? I was also wondering how you made it home after your keel casing was ripped out by the rock?

[@richardbrown4294]

I think the music was used by the Beeb for a programme called In Town Tonight.

[@msf60khz]

You are quite correct. "And now we stop the mighty roar of London's traffic to bring you In Town Tonight!"

[@christinaharbottle1046]

Could you please describe how you modified the rudder with aerofoils that you can use to assist in climbing back in? Climbing Back In is the thing that is stopping this crock from getting back in the Mirror.

[@msf60khz]

Christina. I put a long steel threaded rod through the rudder and then placed wooden steps over the rod secured by nuts which are imbedded in the wood. I also have a rope ladder and I can use the outboard as a hand hold or as a step.

[@christinaharbottle1046]

Thank you very much

[@rachaelsanders5518]

Mirror Cruising .........but capsizing with the outboard on surely wouldn’t do it much good?

[@davidclark2733]

Search for video title "whitby rigging" - it shows a neat solution ...

[@mickallin1225]

Also interested in your centreboard arrangement, if you have any drawings or rough help by way of dimensions. Did you lengthen the slot in the hull so it can retract? In a world of bizarre materialism your videos make me feel young and happy!!

[@msf60khz]

I am very young. The slot is lengthened and the case is a new one, very good structurally. I have drawings if you send me an email address.

[@sailingharu]

Mirror Cruising Could you send the drawings of the keel, please: jampuliini at gmail dot com

[@ontic2354]

Hi, I too am very interested in the drawings for a pivoting centerboard conversion. Could you please email me at mailhansp at gmail.com, thanks so much

[@Ger1ger]

The downside of a daggerboard is that it doesn't swing up ;-{) . I ended up reinforcing the keel section, but have kept the daggerboard, not wanting to deviate too far from the class rules (although I do not race). Thanxx for the info!

[@elmin2323]

Where's part 2 I just bought a mirror and not exactly sure how to rig the spinnaker and pole!

[@ronanberrow8395]

Please could you tell me what the dimensions are for the boxes at the back of the mirror

[@antoinem01]

Did you ever get the chance to make part 2 of the sequence?

[@MrBowsmith]

Hello, what would be your thoughts on a self bailer?

[@charlesfrancis6323]

Do you have the dimensions for the hatch covers MirrorCruising, thanks Charles.

[@rockykoast7065]

I've enjoyed watching your videos ( think Ive seen all). I wonder what height waves, in your view, a Mirror can handle (with jib furler and reefable main), standard daggerboard

[@msf60khz]

Usually a 0.5m wave height is as much as I would want.

[@Rizzo88able]

Hi, could you tell me the size of the inspection hatches you have fitted? thanks

[@msf60khz]

+Ian Rids, Ian It seems to be 6.5 inches. david

[@colinwellman9480]

I imagine the steel centre plate greatly add to the boats stability, did you have it specially made and if so how did you arrive at your dimensions?

[@msf60khz]

The centre plate is not steel, just alight plywood board.

[@colinwellman9480]

Wow! Even more impressed with your boat and your skills in rough conditions.

[@SCCFORUM]

Hi, What size anchor do you have? Regards, Paul.

[@msf60khz]

It's a Fisherman type, about 10 pounds I think. D

[@msf60khz]

Also a smaller Danforth as a kedge.

[@SCCFORUM]

@@msf60khz Thank you for the reply

[@Ger1ger]

I agree that the centreboard case / hull joint is a weakness. Had to fix mine this year (photos on the Mirror Dinghy Discussion Forum mirrordiscussforum.multiply.com. Re. arrangement of the anchor and compass: doesn't all that steel affect the compass? Is that hatch on the foredeck really watertight? Haven't fitted one on "Puffin" but maybe I ought to, just for inspection purposes. I wouldn't want to add a potential leak, though.

[@rachaelsanders5518]

I hope the hatches don’t leak as my Mirror has 4 fitted by previous owner. One at the bow as ‘Mirror Cruising ‘, 1 on each side buoyancy tank and one on the stern buoyancy tank. Keeping my fingers crossed as I’ve yet to sail her.

[@PauloSantos-pd8ps]

Coloque legenda em português meu amigo, ficaria muito grato pois sou seu fã e do seu barco também.

[@msf60khz]

Obrigado por ser fã do meu canal. Vou me esforçar para fazer isso da próxima vez.

[@rattytattyratnett]

What models/size are the two bilge pumps?

[@msf60khz]

I have Whale Urchin manual pump which is very good and Rule 350 gph electric pump. Manual pump can take water out to a lower level with a suitable strum box.

[@rattytattyratnett]

Thanks replying. I hope that you continue to make more videos as they are inspiring.

[@msf60khz]

I do not like the idea of having a hole in the boat, and if you are sleeping in the boat there is the possibility of the self bailer leaking whilst you are asleep. David