Fun Boat

The Rainbow – A Family Fun Boat That’s Built to Last

🛥️ More Than Just a Dinghy

The Rainbow is a 3.6-metre (12-foot) sailboat designed for fun, learning, and adventure. Whether you’re looking for a hands-on training boat, a light racing dinghy, or just a great way to spend a sunny afternoon with the family, the Rainbow fits the bill.

Weighing under 42 kg, it’s light enough to travel on a car roof rack—ideal for beach holidays or camping trips to peaceful, hidden waters.

It’s fun to build, fun to sail—especially if you built it yourself.

📸 Check out the Gallery page to see how amateur builders of all ages are creating and enjoying their own Rainbows.

⛵ It’s a Real Boat

This isn’t a weekend throw-together or disposable toy. The Rainbow is a real sailing boat—light for ease of transport, yet strong, durable, and performance-capable. It’s forgiving for beginners, but in skilled hands, it offers thrilling speed and control in the right conditions.

🧰 Build It Yourself – No Experience Required

The Rainbow is constructed from timber and plywood, using a smart, builder-friendly approach:

• Start by making simple components like the centreboard box

• Use full-size patterns for easy layout and cutting

• Assemble everything on a straightforward building frame

• No complex bending or compound curves required!
  
  

The step-by-step instructions make the process self-checking, helping first-timers learn as they go—and grow their skills and confidence along the way.

🛠️ Build Skills for Life

Originally designed for amateur builders, the Rainbow remains a great introduction to wooden boatbuilding. By the end of your project, you’ll not only have a boat—you’ll have a whole new set of skills.

Many builders go on to:

• Tackle more advanced boats

• Restore classic dinghies

• Even dream of building a liveaboard yacht!

Or, at the very least, you’ll feel a lot more capable with DIY around the house.

💰 A Third the Cost of a Comparable Boat

Costs vary depending on how much you make yourself versus what you buy in kits, but a typical build comes in at about one-third the price of a similar ready-to-sail boat.

That’s one-third the cost—and often three times the satisfaction.

👨‍👩‍👧 Perfect for Adults or Kids

The Rainbow is easy to sail and highly responsive. It’s:

• Maneuverable and stable, great for beginners

• Roomy enough for three, making it ideal for instruction and family outings

• Simple and safe, with a straightforward rig that kids and adults alike can handle

Whether you're teaching a child to sail or chasing a breeze across the bay yourself, the Rainbow is up for the challenge—and always a joy to sail.