The Heron Dinghy was originally designed as a multi-purpose family sailing dinghy.  Ideal for cruising, small enough to sail single handed while powerful enough to perform with a crew, while remaining safe and stable.  There are many places where you can enjoy cruising in your Heron dinghy and our Cruising Section on the website makes a few suggestions.

Several clubs up and down the country have dedicated Heron Fleets, and Heron's are raced in Handicap Fleets at hundereds of other sailing clubs across the country.  With its good stability, wide choice of sails and other choices in set-up it provides flexibility for racing while remaining a one design class. 

The association organises an annual series of races nationally, in co-operation with local clubs, which provide an excellent opportunity for heron sailors to get together and hone their skills.

The heron is ideally suited to being sailed with an adult and child.  That makes it a perfect dinghy to teach children to sail in, or even just to spend some quality time with the family.  Older children will often be able to sail a heron, usually with a friend, but without an adult on board.

Originally designed to be built as a framed dinghy from plans, you can now build the Heron from scratch, or from a kit using modern stich and glue methods with epoxy.  The original plans are also still available to build the heron in the more traditional framed design.

In addition the Heron is available in FRP (Foam Reinforced Plastic) either as a complete dinghy, or in a Wood-FRP Composite.  FRP boats, and wooden boats can be purchased in various stages of completion ready for you to finish at home to your own specification.