cheap singlehander for inland lake racing

need

   I know I've been here before but I can't find the old thread, and the question is slightly different this time round.
I'm looking for a cheap singlehander to race, mostly midweek, at Leigh and Lowton SC. I have been towing the Blaze home and had some good racing the couple of Wednesdays I've made it. I would consider another cheap Blaze if one came up (one sold on ebay a few weeks ago for £640) but it would probably make more sense to buy something better suited to a 140 acre lake. The obvious choices would be a Laser (or Radial) or a Solo as they both have fleets but I'm not a fan of Lasers and decent plastic Solo's are out of budget.

Others I've considered, Europe (I've just sailed open and feel I'm just a little bit big for it), Streaker (no decent plastic ones around and in budget), Supernova (a bit more power than I would like maybe?), Solution (none about at any price but out of budget when they do appear) .

I'm 64, weigh 77kg in me shorts, only averagely fit and agile. Budget is £600 but could be stretched a little and I don't want a wooden boat as it will live at the club all year round.

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Sam.Spoons Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 07 Mar 12 Location: Manchester UK Online Status: Offline Posts: 3398	Post Options Post Reply Quote Sam.Spoons Report Post Quote Reply Topic: cheap singlehander for inland lake racing Posted: 04 May 17 at 2:18pm
	I know I've been here before but I can't find the old thread, and the question is slightly different this time round. I'm looking for a cheap singlehander to race, mostly midweek, at Leigh and Lowton SC. I have been towing the Blaze home and had some good racing the couple of Wednesdays I've made it. I would consider another cheap Blaze if one came up (one sold on ebay a few weeks ago for £640) but it would probably make more sense to buy something better suited to a 140 acre lake. The obvious choices would be a Laser (or Radial) or a Solo as they both have fleets but I'm not a fan of Lasers and decent plastic Solo's are out of budget. Others I've considered, Europe (I've just sailed open and feel I'm just a little bit big for it), Streaker (no decent plastic ones around and in budget), Supernova (a bit more power than I would like maybe?), Solution (none about at any price but out of budget when they do appear) . I'm 64, weigh 77kg in me shorts, only averagely fit and agile. Budget is £600 but could be stretched a little and I don't want a wooden boat as it will live at the club all year round.
	Spice 346 "Flat Broke" Blaze 671 "supersonic soap dish"

turnturtle Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 05 Dec 14 Online Status: Offline Posts: 2538	Post Options Post Reply Quote turnturtle Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 04 May 17 at 2:46pm
	Laser

Neptune Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 08 Jun 09 Location: Berkshire United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1313	Post Options Post Reply Quote Neptune Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 04 May 17 at 4:02pm
	Think you'll struggle at 600quid and plastic, might want to be spending nearer 1000 if you want to open up your choice; but if not fleet racing then how about, Streaker British Moth Lightening Supernova
	Musto Skiff and Solo sailor

Sam.Spoons Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 07 Mar 12 Location: Manchester UK Online Status: Offline Posts: 3398	Post Options Post Reply Quote Sam.Spoons Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 04 May 17 at 4:05pm
	You're right TT, that would be the sensible thing to do but see above...... If there is an alternative...... And, actually decent Lasers are not cheap, if I could justify the £2k a good one costs I'm up into Solution/Supernova money. And I doubt I'd feel much pride in ownership of a £500 Laser with soft decks and a blown out sail. I don't know about you but that matters, it's part of what makes me want to go down to the lake and sail. Neptune, British Moth might feel a bit small (sailed a Europe, loved the boat but felt I was too big for it, might revisit though) and aren't they mostly wood in my budget? Good plastic Streakers aren't cheap, 'nova and Lightning are on the shortlist. Used Lightnings are cheap as chips and it looks a bit like a big Europe/small Finn. An older Supernova might just be affordable but trying to find the sweet spot between underpowered in the light (Europe) and too physical when it blows on a relatively gusty inland lake (Blaze is a bit of a handful then). Edited by Sam.Spoons - 04 May 17 at 4:19pm
	Spice 346 "Flat Broke" Blaze 671 "supersonic soap dish"

Neptune Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 08 Jun 09 Location: Berkshire United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1313	Post Options Post Reply Quote Neptune Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 04 May 17 at 4:59pm
	If its for a mid week summer series i'd lean towards being over powered given average evening windspeeds. if nothing else you'll not stay averagely agile for long :) To be fair I just rolled through different classes on Apolloduck to see what might be there, depends what you mean still be "good" though.
	Musto Skiff and Solo sailor

iGRF Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 07 Mar 11 Location: Hythe Online Status: Offline Posts: 6496	Post Options Post Reply Quote iGRF Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 04 May 17 at 5:05pm
	A few extra quid could buy you my EPS, I originally bought it for a lake, but ours is a bit small even for it, it's got both sails and a purpose designed none class 'soft' sail which makes it more manageable on the start line and in and out of transitions. Or they come up now and again, I've enjoyed it and still do, but it's on the 'reduce your boat count if you want a motorbike' demand list from SWMBO
	Snow Equipment Deals New Core Kite website

Sam.Spoons Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 07 Mar 12 Location: Manchester UK Online Status: Offline Posts: 3398	Post Options Post Reply Quote Sam.Spoons Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 04 May 17 at 5:57pm
	Lucky you Graeme, my wife has discouraged motorcycle ownership (which she's not keen on me embracing again) by allowing me to indulge my guitar and boat fetishes (to a point). I would like another bike but I'm happy to make said compromise as it makes her happier. But, you're a bit far and EPS doesn't tickle my fancy. Probably go for a Supernova if funds stretch a bit further as there are a couple at the club. Unless you want to move the Solution on super cheap ;) Neptune, there's a 'nova on the duck at £900 so that might be a possible if he'll take an offer, a cheap GRP Streaker (but, apparently, the early glass ones were not so good) and a couple of fairly cheap Lightnings. Good, in this context, means sound, leak free and not too scruffy looking. Not so keen on a 30+ year old Laser which seem to fetch that kind of money. I agree about over rather than underpowered but not by too much preferably (so not a Phantom). Edited by Sam.Spoons - 04 May 17 at 7:15pm
	Spice 346 "Flat Broke" Blaze 671 "supersonic soap dish"

iGRF Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 07 Mar 11 Location: Hythe Online Status: Offline Posts: 6496	Post Options Post Reply Quote iGRF Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 04 May 17 at 6:16pm
	Hmm no I like the Solution, how about a nice MiniSprint, got one of them I don't seem to find enough time to use either? I can't live without a bike which I shall also probably get fed up with and sell like the last one, but right now, I need it more than ever to attempt to restore my bad boy mojo in the face of being nouveau vieux.
	Snow Equipment Deals New Core Kite website

Sam.Spoons Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 07 Mar 12 Location: Manchester UK Online Status: Offline Posts: 3398	Post Options Post Reply Quote Sam.Spoons Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 04 May 17 at 6:33pm

	Spice 346 "Flat Broke" Blaze 671 "supersonic soap dish"

423zero Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 08 Jan 15 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 3406	Post Options Post Reply Quote 423zero Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 04 May 17 at 7:48pm
	Comet, comfortable, easy to handle ashore ?