With a length of 2.5 metres and a width of 1.15 metres, the Tide is hardly bigger than an Opti. As a rowing boat, the shipyard states a weight of around 40 kilograms, which means that the dinghy can be easily transported on the roof of a car. Ready for sea with sails, it should be around 48 kilos. The East Frisians use tried and tested Opti material for the rig and attachments. The centreboard box is integrated into the central rudder bulb.
The bench seat in the stern and a watertight compartment in the bow ensure buoyancy. As a result, the Tide remains buoyant even after capsizing and can be hauled out. The dinghy is not self-draining when afloat. On land or hanging in davits, however, rainwater can drain off via a drain plug on the transom.
The hull is solidly laminated using the hand lay-up method. The roofs are made of GRP foam sandwich and are vacuum-bonded. High-quality vinyl ester resin is used to ensure osmosis resistance.
The top of the dinghy is an opti
The basic version of the dinghy with a light grey hull and cream-white cockpit costs 3,550 euros. There is a surcharge of 150 euros for wooden oars and oarlocks. The sail package costs 1,000 euros and consists of an aluminium rig from Optiparts together with a dracron sail, an adjustable mast foot, a mainsheet system from Ronstan as well as a rudder system and centreboard made of GRP sandwich.
Other options are also available, such as multi-coloured paintwork, cork-covered dents or a rope keel ring.
In addition to the Tide 8, the Emden-based shipyard Maritime Faserverbundtechnik Haring also manufactures the SQ25, which was originally developed as the Tide 8. Small cruiser Tide 25 and the Centreboard Tide 34. The latest boat in the programme is the Performance retro classic Tide 36.
Technical data:
- Length: 2.50 m
- Width: 1.15 m
- Weight: 40 kg, ready to sail 48 kg
- Price: from 3,550 euros
More on the subject of dinghies:
Hauke Schmidt
Test & Technology editor
