Training Sailing Dinghies (Schools & Club boats)
Training sailing dinghies are designed to help new sailors build confidence safely, whether they are learning at a sailing club, joining a school fleet, sailing with family or progressing from youth boats into larger double-handers. Most boats in this group prioritise stability, durability, simple rigging and predictable handling over outright speed, although several can still be enjoyable for relaxed club racing and family sailing.
Wayfarer
Wayfarer is one of the best-known training, cruising and family dinghies in the UK. It is stable, roomy and confidence-inspiring, making it popular with sailing schools, clubs, families and coastal cruising sailors. It is heavier than many modern rotomoulded trainers, but that also gives it a reassuring feel in breeze and makes it suitable for longer trips. The 2026 RYA Portsmouth Yardstick number for the Wayfarer is 1107.
Laser Pico
Laser Pico is a hugely popular youth and beginner training dinghy. It is tough, simple and forgiving, with a rotomoulded hull and an easy rig that makes it ideal for sailing schools, junior sailors and families. The Laser Pico is not listed as a named class in the supplied 2026 RYA PN PDF; as a generally accepted reference, clubs often use figures around 1330-1340, depending on rig and whether it is sailed single-handed or double-handed.
RS Vision
RS Vision is a stable, roomy and practical modern training dinghy. It suits families, sailing schools and clubs that want a forgiving boat with enough space for two to four sailors. The optional asymmetric spinnaker gives improving crews something to grow into, while the basic setup remains manageable for beginners. The 2026 RYA Portsmouth Yardstick number for the RS Vision is 1150.
Gull
Gull is a classic small training dinghy that remains popular because it is simple, stable and manageable. It can suit beginners, younger sailors, families and relaxed club sailors who want a traditional dinghy rather than a modern rotomoulded trainer. It is not a high-performance boat, but it is friendly, practical and easy to live with. The 2026 RYA Portsmouth Yardstick number for the Gull is 1385.
RS Quest
RS Quest is a modern family and training dinghy designed for clubs, sailing schools and youth groups. It has a roomy cockpit, forgiving handling and flexible rig options, making it useful for both beginners and improving sailors. The RS Quest is not listed as a named class in the supplied 2026 RYA PN PDF; as a generally accepted reference, many clubs use a PY number around 1130.
RS Zest
RS Zest is a compact modern training dinghy aimed at youth sailors, families and sailing centres. It is light, practical and easy to handle ashore, while still having enough performance to keep developing sailors interested. The RS Zest is not listed as a named class in the supplied 2026 RYA PN PDF; as a generally accepted reference, a PY number around 1260 is commonly used.
Topaz Taz
Topaz Taz is a small, beginner-friendly youth dinghy designed for younger sailors taking their first steps afloat. It is light, simple and forgiving, with a durable rotomoulded hull that suits clubs, schools and family use. The Topaz Taz is not listed as a named class in the supplied 2026 RYA PN PDF; as a general reference, an indicative PY number around 1445 is often used.
Topaz Omega
Topaz Omega is a large, stable and spacious training dinghy, well suited to sailing schools, centres and families who want plenty of capacity. It is built more for confidence, durability and group sailing than pure racing performance. The Topaz Omega is not listed as a named class in the supplied 2026 RYA PN PDF; as a generally accepted club reference, a PY number around 1075 is often used.
Hartley H12
Hartley H12 is a modern, stable and family-friendly training dinghy from Hartley Boats. It is aimed at beginners, clubs and families who want a tough, manageable boat with predictable handling and enough space for learning. The Hartley H12 is not listed as a named class in the supplied 2026 RYA PN PDF; Hartley’s own H12 Racer reference gives a PY figure of 1250, so clubs should treat this as an indicative starting point rather than a current main-list RYA number.
Hartley H15
Hartley H15 is a larger training and family dinghy with plenty of space, good stability and a more substantial feel than smaller youth trainers. It suits clubs, sailing schools, cadet training, family sailing and relaxed day sailing. The Hartley H15 is not listed as a named class in the supplied 2026 RYA PN PDF; as a broad club-level reference, a PY number around 1150 is a sensible indicative figure, but clubs should adjust locally if racing one regularly.
Choosing a Training Dinghy
For junior and first-time sailors, boats such as the Laser Pico, RS Zest and Topaz Taz are compact, forgiving and easy to manage. For families, clubs and sailing schools, the RS Vision, RS Quest, Topaz Omega, Hartley H12 and Hartley H15 offer more room and greater versatility. The Wayfarer and Gull bring a more traditional feel, with the Wayfarer especially strong for training, cruising and family sailing.
When buying a used training boat, condition matters more than age alone. Check the hull, spars, foils, sail condition, fittings, control lines, trolley, road trailer and cover. Rotomoulded training boats are often very tough, but ex-centre boats can have had a hard life, so look carefully at wear points, repairs and whether the package is genuinely ready to sail.
You can browse DinghyMart’s training boat class pages to compare current used examples, typical asking prices and complete packages across the main beginner, family and club training dinghies.
The DinghyMart Chandlery is OPEN
Don’t forget we have a small selection of sailing tools in our online chandlery store. Most popular are this Sailing Race Timer Watch with 5,4,1,0 countdown and the Windie Anemometer. Both items are held in stock in Norfolk and ready to ship daily.
Windie Sailing Kit
ShopPractical sailing tools for race starts, training and race management.
Windie ChandleryWindie 360° Anemometer (handheld)
The Windie 360 Handheld Anemometer is a compact sailing wind meter designed to give fast, reliable wind speed readings on the water. Ideal for dinghy sailors, yacht racers,…
Windie ChandleryWindie Sailing Race Timer Watch
The Windie Sailing Timer is a simple, purpose-built sailing race countdown watch for dinghy sailors, yacht racers and race officers. Designed around the standard 5-4-1-GO start sequence, it…
- reference : RYA PN PDF
