What dinghy

 I am looking for advice on what dinghy to buy. I currently sail an enterprise but want to change it for something more modern and competetive, (also fed up with the maintenance involved with wooden boats).
Including my crew we have a combined weight of 24st and are both about 6foot. We are seriously considering getting an rs 200 as they seem like a really fun boat that are quite testing without being beyond our capabilities. (really fancied the rs400 but our club won't allow them as their y/s is below 1000) Any advice on other classes would be great. GP's are ok but can't somehow get enthusiastic about them, merlins are too technical and expensive to be competetive. We are looking at spending ideally between £3000 - £3500 Please helppppp!!! Just want something thats got a pretty good turn of speed and not too stable so we can improve on our swimming
cheers
steve  

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Stephen Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 22 Mar 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 3	Post Options Post Reply Quote Stephen Report Post Quote Reply Topic: What dinghy Posted: 22 Mar 05 at 9:24pm
	I am looking for advice on what dinghy to buy. I currently sail an enterprise but want to change it for something more modern and competetive, (also fed up with the maintenance involved with wooden boats). Including my crew we have a combined weight of 24st and are both about 6foot. We are seriously considering getting an rs 200 as they seem like a really fun boat that are quite testing without being beyond our capabilities. (really fancied the rs400 but our club won't allow them as their y/s is below 1000) Any advice on other classes would be great. GP's are ok but can't somehow get enthusiastic about them, merlins are too technical and expensive to be competetive. We are looking at spending ideally between £3000 - £3500 Please helppppp!!! Just want something thats got a pretty good turn of speed and not too stable so we can improve on our swimming cheers steve

carshalton fc Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 26 Jan 05 Location: England Online Status: Offline Posts: 2337	Post Options Post Reply Quote carshalton fc Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 22 Mar 05 at 9:28pm
	the rs200 sounds great but have you considered the laser 2000? the best bit of advice is to try the boats first!
	International 14 1503

redback Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 16 Mar 04 Location: Tunbridge Wells Online Status: Offline Posts: 1502	Post Options Post Reply Quote redback Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 22 Mar 05 at 9:32pm
	You are a tad big for a 200, but hell you'll still have fun. The other alternative is the Lark, or Kestrel. A Laser2000 is probaly better at taking the weight but is a bit stodgy when the wind is light. But what is more important is what other boats are sailed at your club?

Contender443 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 01 Oct 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1211	Post Options Post Reply Quote Contender443 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 22 Mar 05 at 11:04pm
	If you really fancy something like a 400 then your other option could be to find a club that will accept it or has an existing fleet. If changing club is an option then you widen your choice of classes. Just a thought.
	Bonnie Lass Contender 1764

Mike278 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 09 Mar 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 256	Post Options Post Reply Quote Mike278 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 22 Mar 05 at 11:10pm
	I wouldn't rule out a merlin, as in your price range boats are appearing with carbon rigs and should be competetive at club level, and could still get decent results at open meetings.
	Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night.

Stephen Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 22 Mar 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 3	Post Options Post Reply Quote Stephen Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 23 Mar 05 at 10:33am
	Thanx for the advice everyone! Can anybody tell me anymore about the laser 2000 as I assumed it was more of a family boat (I am just about holding on to my youth at 29 hmmm ok well thats debatable) Whats the Kestrel like? There are lots of different classes at my club to be honest, about 3 or 4 laser 2000s, quiite a few merlins, a few GPs, larks, ents, etc. Most popular are the lark but seem to be sailed by adult helm and tiny adult crew! Had a sail in an rs 200 last sunday and really enjoyed it. The boom seems reasonably high giving the crew a bit more room. It was also comfortable when hiking out and the genaker was great fun! Only trouble is, other sailors at the club have said we are way way overweight. I've since found out that the max recommended weight is 21st, so I guess 24st is a bit much but not really sure how much of a disadvantage it will actually be for racing (apart from light winds). Trouble is there is too much choice but nothing ideal. ste

redback Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 16 Mar 04 Location: Tunbridge Wells Online Status: Offline Posts: 1502	Post Options Post Reply Quote redback Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 23 Mar 05 at 12:27pm
	Actually its not in light winds that your weight is a particular disadvantage - as long as you can keep it forward enough to keep the transom out of the water. No its in the medium breezes that it makes a difference - when the lighter crews can plane and you can't, there is then a big difference in speed. The 2000 is slower than a 200, by about 4%, but probably easier to sail up to its handicap in all but the lightest breezes - especially if you are on the heavy side. The Kestrel is a little faster still but uses a conventional spinnaker, which is a great advantage on restricted waters and they are well bult and cheap. I'd try all the classes sailed at your club if I were you.

Garry Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 18 Apr 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 536	Post Options Post Reply Quote Garry Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 23 Mar 05 at 5:29pm
	I think Dinghy Mag may be reviewing the Kestrel in their next issue (along with the Scorpion and Lark) I wouldn't have thought 24 stone a big issue as long as you don't get heavier although if most of the weight is in your crew that might present a challenge when hoisting the spinnaker or gybing in windy weather.
	Garry Lark 2252, Contender 298 www.cuckoos.eclipse.co.uk

KnightMare Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 08 Feb 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1682	Post Options Post Reply Quote KnightMare Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 23 Mar 05 at 6:13pm
	yeah they are, and are currently looking for scorpions boat to do the trial due to unforseen circumstances the Scorpion sailors have had to drop out, so If you are a Scorpion owner available on the 26th and Fancy trying a Lark and Kestral, let us know by e-mailing claire@seascapemedia.co.uk


ChrisJ Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Far too distracted from work Joined: 07 May 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 337	Post Options Post Reply Quote ChrisJ Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 24 Mar 05 at 7:20pm
	How about keeping the Ent at Frensham (just guessing thats your club), and sailing it at fun times like the evening races. Then get an RS400 (for which you are an ideal weight) and come and sail that at Burghfield (just south of Reading). We have a number of members who drive up from that area for the close racing we get (between 8 and 18 400's each Sunday).