This section of the website covers basic rigging and learning to sail your Mirror dinghy.
UK Mirror Class
The World's most popular double-handed dinghy
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- What is a Mirror dinghy?
- Boat Specifications
- GRP Mirrors produced in the UK
- GRP composite Mirrors produced in the UK
- Mirror dinghy interior designs explained
- Development of Mk 3 interior article from Yachts & Yachting
- Winder GRP Mirror with Mk3 interior reviewed in Yachts & Yachting
- Try a Mirror Dinghy
- Why sail a Mirror dinghy?
- History
- How it all started
- As it was in the beginning - prototypes
- Testing the original Barry Bucknell prototype & 1963 Boat Show
- Time Shift - The Sailing Sixties (BBC documentary)
- Original colour brochure
- RYA interview about the history of the Mirror with David Henshall in 2013
- BBC 'The One Show' piece from 2015
- Labour as Leisure - The Mirror Dinghy and DIY Sailors
- Early Mirrors were built down to a price
- Buy or build a Mirror dinghy
- Buy or build a Mirror dinghy - options
- Mirror dinghies for sale
- Try a Mirror Dinghy
- Licenced GRP builders and wooden kit manufacturers
- Wooden Boat Builders
- Building a Mirror dinghy from a kit
- Buying a second hand wooden boat
- How to tell the age of a boat from it's sail number
- Testimonials
- Frequently Asked Questions
- How to sell your Mirror dinghy on this site
- How to sell Mirror spare gear on this site
- Wirral Ark Dinghies - restoring dinghies, changing lives
- Ex-owners or family looking for their old boat
- Owners looking for ex-owners of their boat or their family
- How to rig & sail a Mirror
- Basic Rigging Guide
- Books on Mirror dinghies
- Basic Rigging - Frequently asked questions
- RYA - Benefits of boating for children
- RYA Youth Sailing Scheme - Stage 1
- What do all the ropes do?
- Basic Controls - Sail, Centreboard/Daggerboard & Tiller
- Figure Of Eight knot
- How to cleat a halyard
- How to hold the tiller extension & mainsheet - centre main
- Getting underway
- Finding the wind direction and where the sail goes (sail trim)
- Tacking - beam reach to beam reach
- How do I turn in a boat?
- Slowing down and stopping - basic pricipals
- Landing
- What if my boat capsizes?
- RYA Youth Sailing Scheme - Stage 2
- Tacking, close reach to close reach - RYA video
- Sailing to windward - Martin's Sailing Modes
- The Five Essentials explained - RYA video
- Basic guide to mainsail controls
- Round turn and two half hitches knot
- How to tie a reef knot
- What do all the ropes do?
- What if my boat capsizes?
- How do I turn in a boat?
- Gybing - RYA video
- RYA Youth Sailing Scheme - Stage 3
- Clove Hitch knot
- How to tie a bowline
- How to tie a rolling hitch and how to use it to set up a herringbone tow
- The Five Essentials explained - RYA video
- Gybing - RYA video
- How Sailing Races are Started - Flags and Honks
- How to understand the Met Office Inshore Waters weather forecast (2020)
- Understanding the Beaufort wind scale & a sea breeze (2020)
- RYA Youth Sailing Scheme - Stage 4
- What to wear
- Transporting your Mirror dinghy - gaff rig
- Safety afloat
- Masthead floats
- Mirror stuff
- Racing, training & events
- RYA Mirror squads
- RYA Mirror race training videos
- RYA - useful contacts for Mirror sailors
- MCA Squads
- MCA National Youth Development Squad
- MCA National Youth Development Squad blog 2017 - 2018
- MCA National Youth Development Squad blog 2016 - 2017
- MCA National Youth Development Squad blog 2013 - 2014
- MCA National Youth Development Squad blog 2012 - 2013
- MCA SW Squad
- MCA South West Squad 2014 - 2015 blog
- MCA South West Squad 2012 - 2013 blog
- MCA South West Squad 2011 - 2012 blog
- MCA Squad archive
- Race Training & Coaching
- Sail faster
- Boat preperation
- Boat Bimbling with Jonny & Sarah McGovern (2020)
- Rig Tuning by Michael McNamara (2016 Dinghy Show)
- RYA's Top 5 Technical Tips For Racing Success (2014)
- More grip, less friction - David Mossman, Marlow Ropes (2020)
- Rig set up (2017 Ash Shepherd)
- Tuning your Mirror dinghy
- Sailmakers tuning guides
- Simple ways to improve your boat
- Sail shape and how a sail is made from scratch - Mike McNamara (2020)
- Sail shape - make a paper model of a sail with shaped seams - Flip Foulds (2020)
- Fitness
- Stretches for sailors with Emma Higson (2020)
- Hiking circuit for junior sailors - Arran Holman (2020)
- British Sailing Team athletes' home workouts - for junior sailors (2020)
- #SailFromHome Junior fitness programme with Liam Mitchell (2020)
- Seven top tips for winter fitness (2014)
- Warm up video with RYA Sports Scientist Tim Jones (2014)
- Staying in Sailing Shape (2014)
- Physio - Lily Devine, British Sailing Team (2017)
- Hiking Top Tips with Alison Young (2020)
- Top Hiking Tips with Steve Cockerill - Rooster Sailing (2017)
- Hiking Top Tips (Laser) - Nick Thompson (2015)
- 30-minute home workout for youth and adult sailors - Chris Szedlak (2020)
- Another home workout for youth and adult sailors - Chris Szedlak (2020)
- How to plan physical training for youth and adult sailors - Alex Hopson (2020)
- Managing your training load - Youth (2020)
- What does RPE mean? (Youth/adult 2020)
- Why consistency is key (Youth/adult 2020)
- Psychology
- Nutrition
- Racing techniques
- Top tips to sail faster
- RYA Dinghy Racing Channel
- Sail faster - 5 top tips from 49erFX sailors
- Top Tips from the Boat Whisperer - Steve Cockerill (2016 Dinghy Show)
- Increasing Upwind Speed with Penny Clark
- What HAppened Today - post-racing debriefs from Mirror Championships
- Spend time on the water
- Go-Fast Gear! (1973)
- Share The Knowledge - Steve Cockerill (2017 Dinghy Show)
- Racing With A Compass (Graham Ellis)
- Sail setting & techniques
- Strategy
- Strategy with Mark Rushall (2020)
- Strategy - Mark Rushall explains his three circles model (2020)
- How the tides affect your race course with Mark Rushall (2020)
- The seven rules of positioning with Mark Rushall
- Use The Weather To Help Decide On Strategy with Mark Rushall (2020)
- Prepare In Advance To Help Decide On Strategy with Mark Rushall (2020)
- 3 Golden Rules for Strategy and Tactics with Mark Rushall (2020)
- Strategy & Techniques for a Race - Nick Thompson (Team GBR)
- Tactics - RYA book by Mark Rushall 2019
- Weather
- Air stability (Youth/Adult) - Simon Rowell 2020
- Air stability (Junior) - Simon Rowell 2020
- Meteorology (Youth/Adult) - Simon Rowell 2020
- Meteorology (Junior) - Simon Rowell 2020
- Understanding The Weather - Simon Rowell (RYA, 2019)
- How to build a venue guide (Junior & Youth) - Simon Rowell 2020
- All about Clouds (Junior) with Jake Humphery (2020)
- Sailing Weather Tips on reading local Weather & Tides - Libby Greenhalgh (2016 Dinghy Show)
- Understanding the Met Office Inshore Waters weather forecast (junior) with Jake Humphery (2020)
- Tactics
- Boat preperation
- Events calendar
- World Championships
- Charter an MCA Winder Mk 3 for the Worlds
- 2023 Worlds at Sligo YC, Ireland
- 2019 Worlds at the Woollahra Sailing Club, Sydney, Australia
- 2017 Gul Worlds at Restronguet Sailing Club, United Kingdom
- 2015 Worlds at Theewater Sports Club, South Africa
- 2013 Worlds at Lough Derg Yacht Club, Ireland
- 2011 Worlds at Princess Alexandra SC, Albany, Australia
- 2001 Worlds at Howth, Ireland
- 1976 Worlds at Monnickendam, Netherlands
- Past and Present World Champions
- European Championships
- Charter an MCA Winder Mk 3 for the Europeans
- 2016 Europeans at Royal Cork Yacht Club, Ireland
- 2014 Europeans at Brixham Yacht Club, United Kingdom
- 2012 Europeans at Poole Yacht Club, United Kingdom
- 2010 Europeans at Sligo Yacht Club, Ireland
- European Championship Reports prior to 2010
- Past and Present European Champions
- National Championships
- National Championship Trophies
- Daily Mirror Trophy
- HL Twentyman Challange Cup
- Pioneer Cup
- America Cup
- International Paints Trophy
- Marlow Rope Trophy
- Cassandra's Cauldron
- Jeckells Mirror Trophy
- Peter Wilson Trophy
- City of Plymouth Trophy
- National Westminster
- Abersoch Trophy
- 40th Anniversary Trophy
- Mylor Yacht Harbour Trophy
- Roger Graffy Trophy
- Proops Pot
- Arthur Vine Trophy
- Harry Yule Smith Plate
- Fleet Shield
- 1963 Trophy
- Jan Grieg Gran Plate for Silver fleet
- Jan Grieg Gran Plate for Bronze fleet
- Arthur Birt Trophy
- Aberdeen Trophy
- Gulf Cup
- Shavian Mug
- Topaz Trophy
- Silver Jubilee Trophy
- Dyno-Rod Cup
- Super Crew Cup
- Ptwootle Trophy
- Bass Charrington Trophy
- Western Trust & Savings Trophy
- Navigators & General Trophy
- Lucas Trophy
- Charter an MCA Winder Mk 3 for the Nationals
- UK Mirror Nationals 2023 - Brightlingsea SC
- UK Mirror Nationals 2022 - Hayling Island SC
- UK Mirror Nationals 2021 - Restronguet SC
- UK Mirror Nationals 2020 - Ullswater YC
- UK Mirror Nationals 2019 - Poole YC
- UK Mirror Nationals 2018 - Ullswater YC
- UK Mirror Nationals 2017 - Restronguet SC
- UK Mirror Nationals 2016 - Itchenor SC
- UK Mirror Nationals 2015 - SCYC, Abersoch
- UK Mirror Nationals 2014 - Brixham YC
- UK Mirror Nationals 2013 - Pembrokeshire Yacht Club
- UK Mirror Nationals 2012 - Itchenor Sailing Club
- UK Mirror Nationals 2011 - Restronguet Sailing Club
- UK Mirror Nationals - reports prior to 2010
- Past and Present National Champions
- National Championship Trophies
- Nationwide Series
- Other Championships
- Past and Present Mirror Champions
- Past and Present Mirror Champions
- National Inland Champions
- Youth Champions
- Junior Champions
- Scottish Champions
- National Single Handed Champions
- Welsh Champions
- Midland Champions
- Northern Champions
- Southern Champions
- Western Champions
- Eastern Champions
- Masters Champions
- Eastern Traveller Series Champions
- North West Traveller Series Champions
- North East Traveller Series Champions
- Northern Traveller Series Champions
- Southern Traveller Series Champions
- South East Traveller Series Champions
- South West Traveller Series Champions
- Other racing
- Shows
- Class Rules, Measurement and Measurers
- Mirror reports on Yachts & Yachting
- Mirror results on SailRacer
- Cruising, rowing, motoring etc.
- Fitting out & Repairs
- Fitting out - Centre Mainsheet systems
- Fitting Out - Improve your boat
- Fitting Out - Foils (dagerboard & rudder)
- Fitting Out - Frequently Asked Questions
- Fitting Out - Hull
- Controls led back to the thwart
- Daggerboard retaining elastic
- Drainage hole fittings, caps and bungs
- Forestay and shroud attachments
- Jib fairleads and cleats
- Gunwale Padding (e.g. Pro Grip)
- Kicking Strap systems
- Aft Mainsheet systems
- Centre Mainsheet Systems
- Mast step or steps
- Rowlocks and rowlock plates/fittings
- Rudder fittings
- Self Bailers
- Toe straps
- Fitting Out - Rigging
- Fitting Out - Spars
- Fitting Out - Spinnaker
- Fitting Out - example fit outs
- Maintenance & Restoration
- Sailmakers
- Chandlers
- Repairs to wooden hulls
- Repairs to GRP hulls
- Repairs to spars
- Repairs to sails
- Techniques
- Paint and varnish
- Forums & discussion groups
- Photos and videos
- Regions & Clubs
- Tips for Fleet Captains
- Scotland
- Scottish Championship
- Scottish Championship 2019 - Dalgety Bay
- Scottish Championship 2015 - Helensburgh
- Scottish Championship 2014 - Helensburgh
- Scottish Championship 2013 - Annandale
- Scottish Championship 2012 - St Mary's Loch
- Scottish Championship 2011 - Lerwick
- Scottish Championship Reports prior to 2011
- Past & Present Scottish Champions
- Scottish Champion of Champions reports
- Other Scottish sailing events
- Mirror Sailing Scotland random gallery
- North Zone (i.e. North East)
- Northern Travellers 2021
- Northern Travellers 2019
- Northern Travellers 2018
- Northern Travellers 2017
- Northern Travellers 2016
- Northern Travellers 2015
- Northern Travellers 2014
- Northern Travellers 2013
- Northern Travellers 2012
- North news
- North Zone (i.e. North East) Clubs
- Northern Area Championships
- Northern Area Championship Reports
- Past & Present Northern Champions
- Past & Present Northern Traveller Series Champions
- Past & Present North East Traveller Series Champions
- Yorkshire Travellers Series 1976
- West Zone (i.e. North West)
- Northern Travellers 2019
- Northern Travellers 2018
- Northern Travellers 2017
- Northern Travellers 2016
- Northern Travellers 2015
- Northern Travellers 2014
- Northern Travellers 2013
- Northern Travellers 2012
- West Zone (i.e. North West) Clubs
- West Zone Club News
- Past & Present North West Traveller Series Champions
- North news
- Northern Area Championships
- Past & Present Northern Champions
- Past & Present Northern Traveller Series Champions
- North West Open Meeting reports
- Midland Zone
- Wales
- East Zone
- South East Zone
- South Zone
- South news
- South Zone Clubs
- Southern Area Championship
- Past & Present Southern Champions
- Southern Area Championships 2021
- Southern Area Championships 2020
- Southern Area Championships 2019
- Southern Area Championships 2015
- Southern Area Championships 2014
- Southern Area Championships 2013
- Southern Area Championships 2012
- Southern Area Championships 2011
- Southern Area Championship Reports prior to 2011
- Past & Present Southern Traveller Series Champions
- Southern Travellers 2017
- Southern Travellers 2016
- Southern Travellers 2015
- Southern Travellers 2014
- Southern Travellers 2013
- Southern Travellers 2012
- Southern Travellers 2011
- Southern Travellers 2010
- Southern Travellers 2009
- South Open Meeting Reports
- South West Zone
- Western Area Championship
- Western Area Championships 2022
- Western Area Championships 2020
- Western Area Championship Reports
- South West news
- South West Zone Clubs
- South West Travellers 2018
- South West Travellers 2017
- South West Travellers 2015
- South West Travellers 2016
- South West Travellers 2014
- South West Travellers 2013
- South West Travellers 2012
- South West Travellers 2004
- Past & Present South West Traveller Series Champions
- Past & Present Western Champions
- Cornwall Schools Regatta
- South West Open Meetings
- Club prospectus
- International
- Pathways
- Class Matters
Latest forum posts
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- Combination road base and trolley wanted
- Nico Baral, who lives in Brittany, France, is after a combination road base...
Forthcoming Events
| 29 Apr 2023 Bassenthwaite Sailing Club Northern Area Championships |
| 29 Apr 2023 Itchenor SC Southern Area Championship |
| 29 Apr 2023 Bassenthwaite Sailing Club Northern Area Championships |
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