RS Quest - Suitable for single handing?

   Hello 
After a 25 year break from sailing I bought a Topper Topaz Duo last year but do not get on with it. I find it too cramped and way too unstable. I lack skill and confidence so I want a boat that is easy to learn to sail single handed and one that is suitable for pottering around if there is not much wind. 

Ive come across the RS Quest which looks ideal on paper but cannot find much on line about it. Does anyone have any experience with this boat? Is it suitable for single handing? 

Others Ive come across are Topper Argo or maybe a Wanderer. Laser 2000 looked good but I hear its too much for one person. 

I am a fairly fit 42 year old and weigh 85kg. The boat will only be used on a large lake and will not be used for racing. My main priorities are stability and suitability for single handing / occasional double handing. 

Thanks

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Jamesr Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 09 Aug 16 Online Status: Offline Posts: 7	Post Options Post Reply Quote Jamesr Report Post Quote Reply Topic: RS Quest - Suitable for single handing? Posted: 10 Aug 16 at 11:29am
	Hello After a 25 year break from sailing I bought a Topper Topaz Duo last year but do not get on with it. I find it too cramped and way too unstable. I lack skill and confidence so I want a boat that is easy to learn to sail single handed and one that is suitable for pottering around if there is not much wind. Ive come across the RS Quest which looks ideal on paper but cannot find much on line about it. Does anyone have any experience with this boat? Is it suitable for single handing? Others Ive come across are Topper Argo or maybe a Wanderer. Laser 2000 looked good but I hear its too much for one person. I am a fairly fit 42 year old and weigh 85kg. The boat will only be used on a large lake and will not be used for racing. My main priorities are stability and suitability for single handing / occasional double handing. Thanks

JimC Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 17 May 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 6649	Post Options Post Reply Quote JimC Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 10 Aug 16 at 11:36am
	Quite a big thing for heaving round the shore on your own I should have thought. That's a surprisingly important factor. But if your normal venue is all concrete slipways and shallow gradients then naturally that's much less of a problem than if you have to haul it up a steep shingle beach. I think you really need to get a ride in as many different boats as possible to get a picture of what you need your boat to be like. Few here will have sailed the Topaz duo (although doubtless that won't stop people knocking it) but its hard to imagine its a very tippy boat. Sailors are usually keen to promote their chosen craft (misery likes company!?) and are IME always willing to allow other sailors to test out what pulling it back to the berth is like! Edited by JimC - 10 Aug 16 at 11:43am

Jamesr Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 09 Aug 16 Online Status: Offline Posts: 7	Post Options Post Reply Quote Jamesr Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 10 Aug 16 at 11:55am
	Thanks for the reply. The problem that I see is that anything small is going to be unstable or no good for pottering. In my Topaz Duo I have to kneel in the middle unless there is 10 knots of wind. Are there any boats that are small enough to move on shore but stable/roomy? Thanks

about a boat Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Groupie Joined: 25 Oct 06 Online Status: Offline Posts: 60	Post Options Post Reply Quote about a boat Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 10 Aug 16 at 1:58pm
	I am 6 foot tall and about the same weight as you. From what you are saying it sounds like you might be better of with a design that you sit in rather than something you sit on. I would suggest have a look at a Mirror. Although these are small boats they are roomy. For example I was cruising the kids Mirror on Saturday by myself. I had plenty of room. When the wind died I could lay down in the boat or sit very easily without being cramped. Or thay are stable enough to even lay down o the side deck and take a nap. Also as it a small boat none of the controls are too far away from you. May be worth a look. Unless you want to go faster than a Mirror! But I would have a look at other boats too. Small boats do not mean they are wobbly. Wobbly boats are usually due to the helm. Would not thought a L2000 is too much single handed. You do not need to fly the kite and you can reef the jib too. It is probably more to do with the style of sailing. Even in the Mirror, when I race it single handed I make sure everything prepared before tacking or gybing so it can be executed well. (It sometimes works!) Have you thought of a Gull? Edited by about a boat - 10 Aug 16 at 1:59pm

Do Different Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 26 Jan 12 Location: North Online Status: Offline Posts: 1312	Post Options Post Reply Quote Do Different Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 10 Aug 16 at 4:56pm
	Miracle. Bigger than a Mirror but very light for their size and commonly sailed by bigger people as a single-hander for recreation. Can feel quick as well in a breeze.

Do Different Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 26 Jan 12 Location: North Online Status: Offline Posts: 1312	Post Options Post Reply Quote Do Different Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 11 Aug 16 at 6:40am
	http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=382&PN=1304&title=favourite-photos Miracle action.

transient Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 21 Aug 12 Online Status: Offline Posts: 715	Post Options Post Reply Quote transient Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 11 Aug 16 at 9:44am
	Sailing a two hander single handed will be a big compromise. They were designed for 2 people so you will very rarely be getting the best out of the boat or yourself, this is not a good strategy for improving/confidence building imo. Also you will be severely restricting the range of conditions you can sail in. Buy a boat that's designed for your most usual type of sailing and hire a boat from your club for the two handed occasions.

Late starter Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 24 Feb 07 Online Status: Offline Posts: 481	Post Options Post Reply Quote Late starter Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 11 Aug 16 at 9:46am
	Another +1 for the Miracle. Works well IMHO as a singlehander for bigger folk, plenty of room, and ideal for those who may want to singlehand sometimes or sail with a crew from time to time. Only downside is that most that come up for sale nowadays are tatty wooden examples.

Jamesr Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 09 Aug 16 Online Status: Offline Posts: 7	Post Options Post Reply Quote Jamesr Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 11 Aug 16 at 2:44pm
	Thanks for everyone's advice. I have looked at the Gull but its even smaller that my current Topaz. Thanks for the advice on a Miracle but I was hoping for something a bit more modern and wood free. I'll try to have a proper look at one.

Do Different Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 26 Jan 12 Location: North Online Status: Offline Posts: 1312	Post Options Post Reply Quote Do Different Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 11 Aug 16 at 3:17pm
	Take your point, there are GRP Miracles though. Modern is an interesting term, fashions and design avenues change, some last and some don't. The older designs that are still around are survivors from the heyday of dinghy sailing.