Hi
Im thinking of getting a small dinghy to tool around on the Brisbane River / Moreton Bay, both solo and with my son - I don't see us racing at any time. Price is an issue (as always - I'm looking at sub $500), but I am happy to repair/refurbish. My dinghy experience is negligible.
I have seen some mirrors and herons on gumtree at reasonable prices and look the goods for what I'm after.
Could anyone offer an opinion on their merits or preferences for one over the other ?
cheers
kk
ps: it may be relevant, im about 6'4" and 80kg, but am happy to duck 
Mirrors and Herons are gaff rigged and their spars stow inside their hulls. That's about all the good points. There was a Vagabond on eBay recently for $300. These sail well and are solidly built in fibreglass. I would suggest sticking with a production fibreglass boat.
We have an old fibreglass Sabre dinghy which is used for general sailing . No jib but still goes better than a mirror and handles a breeze well. Hopefully there are a few up your way.
One of the best boats ever IMO. 
Heres a Heron in your price range and relatively nearby if you can get a trailer. https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/ipswich/sail-boats/heron-sailing-dinghy/1225117519
Hi
Thanks for the comments - appreciated.
Trek, I saw that heron on gumtree which is what got me thinking about them, rather than the mirrors. i was liking the look of the bow of the heron rather than the pram bow of the mirror - don't know if that would have any difference in performance or in a chop though. Mind, I'm not exactly a "performance" sailor.... The ease of righting after a capsize will be a consideration though !. I hope to go and check it out this weekend,
At this stage I am leaning towards a ply build - feel comfortable repairing them, and there is something about wood (product) - and it will need to be relatively light to man-handle into the tray of my ute
the search will continue !
cheers
kk
If it was a choice between a heron and a mirror I would take the mirror. Have not sailed a mirror but they are more practical. Can be used as a tender and can carry more rubbish to the dump than a heron.
Heron and mirror are basically the same boat except for the pointy bit the other major difference is the mirror has a dagger board and the heron a folding centre board. Most dingys are are OK to right after capsize aslong as there's enough buoyancy so the centre board trunk is above the water when flooded, otherwise it's an endless bailing task. A glass job like the vagabond while being heavier has the advantage of being able looking after its self left outside in the weather, so could possible be left locked up with yacht tenders
The Mirror is significantly lighter, which makes it easier to handle ashore, and because it has more buoyancy tanks it's better after a capsize than most Herons. Herons tend to be short on buoyancy, although some say they are more stable than a Mirror and therefore less likely to capsize in the first place.
Well I'll be ! Nearly 20kg lighter ! That's pushin 50% on a similar size boat. Must be in the board ?
I'd forget a dinghy and get a beach cat. A lot more fun and the same price. Windrush 14 would be my biased preference. Parts still available new.
Mirror's & herons are nice little boats and neither and gaff rigged anymore. Very different methods of construction would be the reason for the weight difference.
At your height you may find them a bit tight?
Plenty of herons race in Qld so you may be able to get a look at one. Often sailed by smallish adults and tiny kids.
Noosaville sailing club use vagabonds as trainers so you could check them out. They are good robust little boats that feel bigger then there length.
Small dinghy's can be heaps of fun. For me the smaller the boat the more you use it.
Cheers
Having sailed both Herrons & mirrors, the mirror wins on sailing ability, room & no water in the cockpit after a capsize, the Herron pro is having a side deck which is a lot more comfortable when hiking then the mirror
Both were designed by Jack Holt, and would probably be well suited to your needs. If you want some inspiration, read "The Unlikely Voyage of Jack de Crow" about a novice sailor's adventure through Europe in a Mirror...
Select to expand quotewoko said..
Well I'll be ! Nearly 20kg lighter ! That's pushin 50% on a similar size boat. Must be in the board ?
Nope, a different construction method. The Mirror is a stitch and glue boat with the shell of the hull, seats and buoyancy tank sides taking the main structural loads. The Heron is more conventional in structure, with thick frames as well as a heavier skin.
Select to expand quoteslammin said..
I'd forget a dinghy and get a beach cat. A lot more fun and the same price. Windrush 14 would be my biased preference. Parts still available new.
Fair point, but it depends on what you find fun. I sail yachts, windsurfers, dinghies and cats (Formula 18) and plenty of people would find the dinghy much more fun (and vice versa).
Thanks Chris, the heron I had was heavy and old but fun.
Keelkicker, have you seen the mirror on gumtree for $250 in Brisbane ?
