Stirling & Sons - Sailing Dinghy

Grebe is a beautifully executed traditional day sailer, a faithful replica of an Edwardian sailing dinghy circa 1910, and one of those boats that quietly reminds you why classic design still holds its ground today.

She was built in 2016 to a circa-1910 design using traditional materials and methods, and it shows in every detail. Her construction is mahogany on oak, with thoughtful brass fittings throughout, including keel band, bilge rubbing bands, and ring bolts to bow and stern. Mahogany capping rails, fitted sole boards, and a removable oak boarding post add both practicality and refinement.

Stirling’s build quality and attention to detail are phenomenal, and their  boats are rightly held in very high regard. Stirling and Son are one of the few yards still producing work of this calibre, combining deep traditional knowledge with exceptional craftsmanship. Their reputation for award-winning restorations and new builds speaks for itself, and Grebe is a lovely example of that ethos.

In her current ownership, Grebe has been a joy. Kept in their boathouse on the Norfolk Broads, always well cared for and lightly used. She is very comfortable for two, extremely stable, and inspires confidence whether sailing or rowing. The balanced lug rig is simple, forgiving, and immensely satisfying to use, offering exactly the sort of sailing experience these boats were designed for.

Grebe can be sailed, rowed, or quietly motored. The current owners installed an electric Minn Kota outboard with dedicated battery stowage forward, circuit breaker, and voltage monitor aft. This gives a range of around 20 miles at approximately 5 knots, making her wonderfully versatile for rivers, broads, and sheltered waters.

Her finish has been carefully maintained, with an oiled interior last done in winter 2023/24, Epifanes varnish externally including spars, Hempel Brilliant Gloss topsides, gold cove line and name on the transom, and antifoul completed in November 2024.

Clinker, or lapstrake, dinghies like Grebe continue to stand their ground even in an age of modern materials and clever engineering. They are light on the water, wonderfully responsive, remarkably efficient, and above all, beautiful.

Grebe is not just a dinghy, she is a celebration of craftsmanship, proportion, and timeless design. A boat that feels right the moment you step aboard, and one that will continue to reward careful ownership for many years to come.

Inventory:

Road and launching combi trailer with jockey wheel

Number plate

All over cover

Main mast plus boom and gaff with leather chafing pieces

Burgee

Mainsail with two reefing points (North Sea Sails), finished in traditional style

Thwart seats with permanent cushions finished in vinyl

Buoyancy bags

Lifting rudder with carved oak tiller 

Sculling notch with leather chafing piece

Pair of leathered spoon oars

Bronze rowlocks

Pair of wooden paddles

Electric Outboard – Minn Kota with tiller extension

Spare propellor for the above

Battery - Leoch 12v 130AH AGM Battery, with strap down system

Victron Battery Monitor plus circuit breaker

Bow and stern lines

Fenders of traditional construction

All lines of traditional construction