Solo replacement

   Hi
My club has several Lasers that we want to replace. They don't get used much and are unsuitable for our older demographic and the water we use.

Some members have suggested we get Solos. However this would mean more maintenance as they would have to be GRP and about £300-£500. 

So we need a modern ish plastic dinghy about the same weight as a Solo, mast with a proper halyard and a centreboard that also has a cockpit of about the same depth as the solo.

For the right boat we would be able to raise more cash but are still looking at secondhand.

Any ideas?

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Riv Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 23 Nov 13 Location: South Devon Online Status: Offline Posts: 353	Post Options Post Reply Quote Riv Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Solo replacement Posted: 20 Feb 18 at 9:09pm
	Hi My club has several Lasers that we want to replace. They don't get used much and are unsuitable for our older demographic and the water we use. Some members have suggested we get Solos. However this would mean more maintenance as they would have to be GRP and about £300-£500. So we need a modern ish plastic dinghy about the same weight as a Solo, mast with a proper halyard and a centreboard that also has a cockpit of about the same depth as the solo. For the right boat we would be able to raise more cash but are still looking at secondhand. Any ideas?
	Mistral Div II prototype board, Original Windsurfer, Hornet built'74.

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: 20 Feb 18 at 9:15pm
	You absolutely don't want £300-£500 glass Solos. I'm not sure, though, there are many other options in that price range.

Rupert Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 11 Aug 04 Location: Whitefriars sc Online Status: Offline Posts: 8956	Post Options Post Reply Quote Rupert Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 20 Feb 18 at 9:18pm
	Take a look at the newly upgraded mark 3 Lightning 368. It looks stunning, has pivoting centreboard, deep but self draining cockpit, tracked mast with carbon top, choice of Dacron or Mylar sail.
	Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686

Rupert Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 11 Aug 04 Location: Whitefriars sc Online Status: Offline Posts: 8956	Post Options Post Reply Quote Rupert Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 20 Feb 18 at 9:21pm
	Missed the 3-500 price bracket. Still better off with Lightnings than Solos, as they hold together well, but not sure any boat of that age is likely to survive club usage, and the sails will be rubbish.
	Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686

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: 20 Feb 18 at 10:01pm
	Lightening, comet, byte, fixer or something like that. I see too many of an older demographic being able to climb back in a solo post capsize (it will happen).
	Musto Skiff and Solo sailor

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: 20 Feb 18 at 10:09pm
	Riv, No grants available ?

jeffers Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 29 Mar 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 3048	Post Options Post Reply Quote jeffers Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 21 Feb 18 at 10:22am
	If you could get grants then something like a Fusion would be a good fit. Well mannered enough to be used for training. Big enough for an adult to sail. Comfy enough and robust enough to survive club use. You could get 4 for a £10k grant too (and the money the club was going to put in could get you a 5th). They have a dacron or mylar sail options too and an optional jib (on a halyard). Sails wrap round the mast so the only real issue is somewhere to store them.
	Paul ---------------------- D-Zero GBR 74

Riv Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 23 Nov 13 Location: South Devon Online Status: Offline Posts: 353	Post Options Post Reply Quote Riv Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 21 Feb 18 at 12:55pm
	Thanks for all the useful replies, Looks like the only one that has the desired characteristics is the Lightning, the Centreboard being a Very desirable feature as well as the proper mainsail and halyard combo. So much damage and general chaos has been caused by rigging lasers on the beach (head injuries) and difficulties depowering coming in on a lee shore. (how far can you drive one up a rocky beach!) It's straightforward if you know how but not all our members do..... We have just built a new clubhouse, so will have to get financially stable before we apply for more grants, however second hand £700/boat could well be possible, we don't have to do it all at once and selling the 4 Lasers could raise about £1100 which would help.
	Mistral Div II prototype board, Original Windsurfer, Hornet built'74.

Rupert Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 11 Aug 04 Location: Whitefriars sc Online Status: Offline Posts: 8956	Post Options Post Reply Quote Rupert Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 21 Feb 18 at 4:00pm
	Smaller and less racy, the RS Zest has a pivoting board, but may not work in other ways!
	Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686

Riv Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 23 Nov 13 Location: South Devon Online Status: Offline Posts: 353	Post Options Post Reply Quote Riv Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 21 Feb 18 at 4:29pm
	Yes Zest's a possibility also, I'll get a go in one.
	Mistral Div II prototype board, Original Windsurfer, Hornet built'74.