Fennec sailing dinghy.

[trebor]

Just purchased a Fennec sailing dinghy off ebay for £175 includes cover and combination trailer, a bit late now but does anyone have any knowledge or experience of these boats ( worth it for trailer I hope ) their is not much in database.http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fennec-Sailin ... true&rt=nc

[Rupert]

Hi Rob,

I sailed a Fennec a few times off Aberystwyth in the late 80's. Fairly basic in their rigging, a bit like 420's were before the squaddies got hold of them. The Fennec is the baby sister, and apart from a tendency for the gelcoat to fade, seemed OK.

If the combi is sound, then sounds like a good deal, and you should have plenty of fun. CVRDA qualified, too.

[trebor]

Hi Rupert, first job change to centre/aft main ( I hope ).

[trebor]

Hi, Their is no sail number with this dinghy, how or can I get one ?

[Rupert]

If there is nothing engraved on the hull, then it is unlikely you'll ever know the real number. As it is unlikely that you'll ever race against another Fennec, I doubt this will be a problem!

[Ed]

I think there are more Fennecs around than you might imagine...

Where did this one come from?

We used to have one racing with us at Baltic Wharf a few years ago.

cheers

eib

[trebor]

Hi Ed, This one is from Appleby in Cumbria (Westmoreland), hopefully their will be a number on hull somewhere, I will be fetching boat on friday.

[Pat]

Have a search around this forum as I'm sure our French member LaserTourist has posted infoabout the Fennec in the past.

[trebor]

Hi Pat, I had a look last night. I appear to have purchased another unusual dinghy, Aquabat and now Fennec, I must be a magnet for them, this was an impulse purchase attracted as much by Trailer, though the dinghy does look very orthodox and did not scream out keep away, I can practice with this one, the rigging is very simple has Rupert pointed out, nothing very much on google, I had hoped the French might still have a class association.

[trebor]

went to fetch boat today, what a disaster, the thing and the trailer were both wrecks, the tyres on trailer were badly split and had obviously been left flat for a long time plus the hitch did not work , the launch trolley trailer tyres were worse, the boat looked nothing like the pictures which were taken 3 years ago, the boat now looks like it was painted with emulsion paint, he could not see their were any issues with using 3 year old photos, their was a major repair to hull at front, that looked like a child had repaired with playdough,I had initially asked my son to pick this boat up for me, he lives in Stockton about an hour away, he would have just hitched boat up and drove away. I have asked for a refund, 320 mile round trip, he should pay for fuel as well ( some hope ).

[davidh]

Trebor,

I know, it is a total 'bummer' to put it mildly!

A few years ago, when I was on the search for a Smokers Merlin, I drove from Southampton to a club just on the southern shore of the Humber estuary. I arrived, got out of the car, looked for about 90 seconds (certainly no more) and was back in the car and heading south again. Like you, I was met with a studied indifference and a surprise as to what all the fuss was about.

Beware the perils of ebay...........

D

[Pat]

Better to go for the refund than take on a mis-sold heap.
If you're interested in an old Lark I've one you could have very cheaply (needs paint but otherwise sound and complete) or I've a good one - 2419 - fit for opens and nationals - for sale for £1500. Both have trolleys but no trailers but delivery may be possible.

[Rupert]

And there is the Juniors 420 for very little at Whitefriars, as advertized on the far sale section. It is in poor condition, but much better than what you describe.

[trebor]

Hi, Thank you for kind offers, I was really after Trailer, the boat was an added bonus, I would have probably taken boat on as a project being GRP, it would not really need to be indoors, the ebay tape measure was also in use on this one, I stepped out boat it was certainly longer than it should have been, more like 16 feet than 12, it would be funny if it was not for the fact he would have sent my son on the road with this death trap, the tyres were still flat in the area where they had sat on ground, when you rolled it along it was like a clowns car, he said " I have put 38 psi in them tyres, I will put some more in, a couple of miles down the road they should go back to round", when I pointed out cracks in tyres he said " the whole thing boat and trailer is only about 200 kilos ". When I questioned him about 3 year old photos he asked me how long I thought paint finishes were meant to last and it was no surprise that the paint had faded.

[Ed]

Oh, we have all been there......

get the refund if you can, but if not put it down to experience.

At least you didn't pick it up....drive it home....and put it straight on the fire...

It has been known

eib