First Singlehander: Advice needed

Hi all

I have been sailing regularly fo about 18 months
and think I have figured out what kind of sailing I would like to do.  Now I could do with some advice on which
boat(s) to look at for my first purchase. I am 45, 13.5 stone and, having tried
the clubs single-handers, double-handers etc, I am thinking a single handed asymmetric is the best option for me.

The two boats that come to mind for this are the RS Vareo and
RS100. I get the impression that the vareo is the more 'accessible' of the two
and would allow one of my kids to come along a fly the kite on occasion. But the 100 would keep me entertained for longer. So my
questions are:

Is the 100 accessible to relatively inexperienced
sailers?

Is there room in a 100 for occasional
passenger/crew?
As there are vareos for less than £2k, would you
recommend going for a vareo for a year or two before commiting to a 100? I
think the cheapest 100s are around the £4k mark.

Any other boats or thoughts you think I should be
considering?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions

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CAMSailer Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 03 Jul 17 Online Status: Offline Posts: 4	Post Options Post Reply Quote CAMSailer Report Post Quote Reply Topic: First Singlehander: Advice needed Posted: 03 Jul 17 at 3:59pm
	Hi all I have been sailing regularly fo about 18 months and think I have figured out what kind of sailing I would like to do. Now I could do with some advice on which boat(s) to look at for my first purchase. I am 45, 13.5 stone and, having tried the clubs single-handers, double-handers etc, I am thinking a single handed asymmetric is the best option for me. The two boats that come to mind for this are the RS Vareo and RS100. I get the impression that the vareo is the more 'accessible' of the two and would allow one of my kids to come along a fly the kite on occasion. But the 100 would keep me entertained for longer. So my questions are: Is the 100 accessible to relatively inexperienced sailers? Is there room in a 100 for occasional passenger/crew? As there are vareos for less than £2k, would you recommend going for a vareo for a year or two before commiting to a 100? I think the cheapest 100s are around the £4k mark. Any other boats or thoughts you think I should be considering? Thanks in advance for any suggestions

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: 03 Jul 17 at 4:34pm
	I have owned both... The Vareo is a better all-round boat for general sailing, the RS100 is definitely more racier and geared for windward/leeward racing with other asymmetric dinghies. As for passenger carrying, the Vareo ticks that box a lot better than the RS100. Where some people have struggled with the RS100 is capsize recovery. Personally I didn't have an issue with it, but some folks did and it would be remiss not to point this out as a potential flaw. This is certainly not an issue with an RS Vareo, which is very 'normal' in terms of the secondary stable manners like launching, capsize recovery, wheeling around the boat park, rigging up and tuning it etc. Edited by turnturtle - 03 Jul 17 at 6:40pm

sargesail Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 14 Jan 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1459	Post Options Post Reply Quote sargesail Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 03 Jul 17 at 6:11pm
	Much better to develop on the easier boat than overface yourself early.

CAMSailer Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 03 Jul 17 Online Status: Offline Posts: 4	Post Options Post Reply Quote CAMSailer Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 03 Jul 17 at 8:11pm
	Thank you both for the advice, it sounds like the vareo is probably better suited to my skill level. By the way I had to look up 'overface' and it is the perfect word. I am guessing if I wanted to step down a gear and amble occasionally then the vareo would be much better suited. Thanks again

piglet Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 04 Jan 07 Online Status: Offline Posts: 514	Post Options Post Reply Quote piglet Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 03 Jul 17 at 8:58pm
	Vareo. Don't overspend on a first boat, plenty of opportunity for that later!! I tried a Vareo a few years back, they certainly go well enough offwind with breeze. But upwind they have to be flat or they just park. Never tried a 100. Edited by piglet - 03 Jul 17 at 9:01pm

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: 03 Jul 17 at 10:07pm
	Getting a Vareo in a groove upwind takes a little time and patience- they have to be sailed low and flat, don't expect 'Laser angles'; that said, plenty of people stuff them and seem to survive to get the grin factor going back downwind again.

ttc546 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Posting king Joined: 15 Apr 05 Online Status: Offline Posts: 155	Post Options Post Reply Quote ttc546 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 04 Jul 17 at 8:20am
	I had a similar decision and requirement a couple of months ago and bought a Vareo. Perfect for having a blast with or without the kite, and accommodates my other half occasionally when we both go together. (not sure why the forum is showing the photo rotated by 90degreees ..) a couple of months ago and bought a Vareo. I love it :-) Edited by ttc546 - 04 Jul 17 at 8:21am

CAMSailer Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 03 Jul 17 Online Status: Offline Posts: 4	Post Options Post Reply Quote CAMSailer Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 04 Jul 17 at 3:39pm
	Thanks again for the advice, all I need now is for the right boat to come along.....

ttc546 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Posting king Joined: 15 Apr 05 Online Status: Offline Posts: 155	Post Options Post Reply Quote ttc546 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 05 Jul 17 at 4:08pm
	I went for a good sail this morning in my own RS Vareo - just in case you are still interested in one ;-) Video here - (GoPro attached to boom end) Edited by ttc546 - 05 Jul 17 at 4:09pm

CAMSailer Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 03 Jul 17 Online Status: Offline Posts: 4	Post Options Post Reply Quote CAMSailer Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 05 Jul 17 at 5:16pm
	I am convinced :)