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singlehander for older 60kg with bad knees |
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singlehander
Newbie Joined: 16 Aug 17 Location: UK Online Status: Offline Posts: 3 |
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Topic: singlehander for older 60kg with bad knees Posted: 17 Aug 17 at 2:50pm |
At the start of the summer I finally joined the (mostly racing) club on the local lake, and started sailing again after a few decades. I originally learnt coastal inlet daysailing in Wayfarers and Enterprises. I've been sailing singlehanders this time round, and wish I'd done it earlier. Have tried racing for the first time, and quite enjoyed it. I'm aiming for competence and enjoyment.
Bitten by the sailing bug, and starting to think about possible boats to try out, with a view to buying secondhand next year. I am late 50s, 5'6", 55-60kg, not that much upper body strength, and my knees are knackered through past injury. I've been out in GP14s, but the crewing issue remains. I prefer singlehanded sailing, but I can manage more wind/gusts in a 2-hander with the extra weight of crew. A Pico was far too painful and small : I need to sit in not on. The club has Laser sailors and it seemed to be expected that as a lady sailor I would move from GP14>Pico>Laser, but I think the Laser is probably too tippy for me, even with the 4.7 rig, and not deep enough for my knees. At the moment, I am sailing an oldish (early 3000s) plastic? Solo that someone at the club has very kindly lent me, and it feels very comfortable. With the B Plan (hardly used, still has that new sail sound), not the full sail, but the battens are not changing easily in lighter winds and the sail seems to be not sitting right; the idea was that I could handle the boat better in the gusts and tricksy, shifty winds that we get here with the smaller sail. I need to try the full size sail which should sit better, and trim properly - but I wonder whether I can handle the boat with full rig : Typical winds on the lake early evening are force 3-4 with gusts of 4-5. I find the upper end of those ranges hard to manage at the moment, and have been swimming (not a problem). I have righted the Solo on my own, but find it difficult to get back in without a leg up from the rescue boat (Pico was far easier). Do not want to be the person who needs rescue boat help all the time, and I'd love to be able to rig, launch and get out for a sail and back without needing back-up. A couple of the older men (all larger than me) at the club have Solos. We are a mixed club - more GP14s and Lasers, with Toppers, Picos and Oppis for younger folk. Various other types. I could try out a Mirror singlehanded, but do I want a jib sheet as well ? So : have heard the Solo described as 'the old man's Laser'. What's the 'old lady' equivalent ? Still a Solo ? Am I too light for the Solo with the full sail ? I'm guessing I probably have 10 good years of sailing left, though what I gain in ability and confidence, I might lose in physical strength over that time. I would be keeping a boat at the club outdoors, and my DIY skills are not great though I love the idea of a wooden boat, and I maybe have £1.5-2K max to spend, including renewing sails etc. My current car won't tow, so I'd have to factor in eventually changing vehicle for one that will if I were going to sail or race elsewhere. What would your recommendations be at this point for singlehander boats to try/consider ? If the Solo is a good bet, I'll maybe take up weight training or kayaking, to build strength, and see whether that helps. Edited by singlehander - 17 Aug 17 at 3:06pm |
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cad99uk
Posting king Joined: 11 Mar 10 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 187 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 17 Aug 17 at 3:19pm |
Welcome to the forum. Have a look at a Streaker. Designed by Jack Holt when the Solo was too heavy for him to handle onshore.
We have a lady at our club who sails one. Aged in her mid seventies probably weighs 52kg. Absolute bandit in light airs. Reduced sail is available (wave sail). Regards and good sailing |
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iGRF
Really should get out more Joined: 07 Mar 11 Location: Hythe Online Status: Offline Posts: 6496 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 17 Aug 17 at 3:29pm |
If you were at our lake they'd all agree the Streaker is for you, they also tell me it's for me but so far I've managed to ignore them being (in my mind) a relatively young person.
Other than that folk also suggest boats like the Lightning, the Europe (ladys used to sail it at high level not quite sure what happened but they went away) a boat called the Splash that a chap at our lake can get good results in if it's windy. Do dump that solo, has it got spiders living in it? The one I tried did, cheeky thing even tried to bale out when it spotted who was at the helm, so I had to crash into something to get me out of the embarrassment of the two of us at either end of the boat. If you are ahem fully financially independant then you should cast a glance at the Devoti D0 with it's blue rig a very nice modern boat as also is the Aero 7(or5) which won't break your back hauling it onto the trailer. There, that's about your choice I expect there maybe some others I've missed but welcome back to the sport and onto the forum, keep us posted of your adventures. Edited by iGRF - 17 Aug 17 at 3:32pm |
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Neptune
Really should get out more Joined: 08 Jun 09 Location: Berkshire United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1313 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 17 Aug 17 at 3:30pm |
I reckon a streaker too, light, decent depth cockpit, but actually pretty low freeboard for climbing back in.
If money isn't an issue perhaps an RSAero with a 5 rig ?
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Musto Skiff and Solo sailor
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Jack Sparrow
Really should get out more Joined: 08 Feb 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 2965 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 17 Aug 17 at 3:53pm |
If you would really like to take the strain off your knees the Farr 3.7 is your answer, especially with the winds you are describing.
What's a Farr 3.7 I hear you ask? Designed by Bruce Farr in 1971, it's effectively a Streaker with a Trapeze. So when everyone else is having a hernia going up wind you step out on your nice comfy trapeze wire. Turn the corner step in and hike it, or if its that windy stay out on the wire for an epic reach. Y&Y Test sail LINK Edited by Jack Sparrow - 17 Aug 17 at 3:56pm |
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singlehander
Newbie Joined: 16 Aug 17 Location: UK Online Status: Offline Posts: 3 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 17 Aug 17 at 4:38pm |
Thank you for the welcome and the suggestions ! Keep them coming.
Just checked out s/hand Streaker prices; some look affordable. There's one at the club, but it's brand new and the owner's pride and joy. Aero prices way out of my budget, and none at the club. Likely to be constrained by what I can get to actually try out. Can't imagine that it is a good idea to buy a model of boat you've not already tried - or am I wrong about this ? Any love for the Solo idea, perhaps with a mast suited to lighter crew weights ? |
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JimC
Really should get out more Joined: 17 May 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 6649 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 17 Aug 17 at 4:54pm |
Solo's not a bad bet with the right rig. Just stay well clear of pre foam sandwich plastic ones.
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cad99uk
Posting king Joined: 11 Mar 10 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 187 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 17 Aug 17 at 4:55pm |
Contact the Streaker class association. I'm sure they will fix you up with a demo sail.
From their website "If all this sounds appealing, make sure you have a go in a Streaker. Contact the Class Association via this website. Let us know where you are and we’ll do our best to help you try Streaker sailing." http://www.streaker-class.org.uk/why-get-one Edited by cad99uk - 17 Aug 17 at 4:57pm |
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iGRF
Really should get out more Joined: 07 Mar 11 Location: Hythe Online Status: Offline Posts: 6496 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 17 Aug 17 at 4:56pm |
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zeon
Far too distracted from work Joined: 20 Aug 16 Online Status: Offline Posts: 316 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 17 Aug 17 at 6:10pm |
Streaker, lightning, comet, British moth , splash plus aero/zero could fit the bill. It all depends on what is most important to you, i.e. Deep cockpit, stayed / unstayed rig, rear or centre main. Etc. If you can just try as many of them as you can before deciding.
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