Tideway 12 Dinghies

Roger and his Tideway

Tideway 36

Boom Tent

Fully loaded

While I’m undecided which boat project to pursue, I’m keeping my options open, but at the moment I favour the concept of having a small boat that will protect me from the elements and one that will not require a boom tent for overnight respite. The Tideway dinghy does not meet these criteria, but she would be a good choice for day sailing. Now I know the Tideway 12 is very popular with members of the Dinghy Cruising Association, and that she has been cruised extensively by hardy souls who would not choose any other dinghy. The same could be said for both the wooden version of the Tideway 12 and the GRP one.


Why are they so popular with cruising folk? Perhaps it is because they are stable, reliably strong, and they have the capacity for carrying plenty of cruising gear. They can be launched and retrieved without difficulty - even by a solo crew, providing the slipway is not too steep or slippery. They are not demanding to sail, and the crew sits in them, rather than on their gunwales while trying to keep their boats upright. Like all such dinghies, it pays to reef early, so that gymnastics are not required. Their Gunter rig spars fit within the boat. They can settle on a gently sloping beach so that their crews can have a peaceful night’s sleep.


The photos above were given to me by Roger Barnes. They were used to illustrate an article written by him that I published on my old website.



Statistics

Length 12' Beam 5' Sail Area 77.5 sq ft

All up weight from 250 to 320 lbs depending on model



Links


Tideway Owners Association
http://www.tidewaydinghy.org/

New Wooden Tideway Dinghies
http://goodwoodboat.co.uk/boats.html

New GRP Tideway Dinghies
http://www.tidewaydinghies.co.uk/

The Tideway Dinghy
http://www.tradboat2.co.uk/editorial/dinghy.htm#Tideway

Dinghy Cruising Association Article – The Tideway
http://www.dca.uk.com/articles/whichdinghy.htm#tideway

Tideway Article by Vanessa Bird for Classic Boat Magazine
http://www.classicboat.co.uk/classnotes/252865/tideway

An Article by Gavin Atkin
http://intheboatshed.net/tag/tideway-owners-association/

YouTube Video showing Tideways
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzJ0ZNLW_so