I sail a Dinghy myself...I can't think of a boat that a 5 year can sail by
themselves....that carries a jib...
I know lots of boats that are good beginner boats.....w/ just main
sail....like the Optimist and Byte....Both of these boats are popular enough
that you can join other kids for weekend races.....

Is the kid a boy or a girl?

As in Nova Scotia...Bytes are more popular with girls and Lazers with the
boys.....

I myself want to get my daughter Oceana to get into sailing very early...and
have a optimist in mind....Only I can't convince my wife that 2 years old is
a great age to start

"Bobsprit" wrote in message
...

What's a low cost starter sailboat for a 5-8 year old that carries a jib?
I
have a friend who's looking for something that he can sail with his son.
Must
be a smaller boat 12-13 feet.
He was planning on building a boat, but he already has his hands full.

Thanks,

RB