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Thinking of a Vareo for a novice, thoughts?
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ajbaldwin View Drop Down
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Posts: 51 		Post Options Post Options   Quote ajbaldwin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Thinking of a Vareo for a novice, thoughts?
    Posted: 05 Feb 13 at 10:54am

Hello All

 I am trying to get back into dinghy sailing after a 20 + year break.  I used to sail Toppers and Comets as a kid.  I joined my local club at the back end of last summer and had a blast although the club boats are Pico’s and Lasers  which I am a bit big for,  I am 6”2 95kg.  So I am a bit stuck for a boat to sail for this season.

 Ideally I need something that a very novice helm will be ok with.  I like the idea of the Vareo as it can be sailed single sail until I get the hang of it.  I have also been crewing on a RS200  so have some experience of spinnakers.  Also the Vareo seems to be fairly cheap second hand which is ideal to learn in as I am a beginner so I don’t new a new boat to learn in. 

 

I would appreciate the thought of the forum on this, or if I have missed an better choice?
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pondmonkey View Drop Down
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Posts: 2202 		Post Options Post Options   Quote pondmonkey Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Feb 13 at 12:05pm
The best possible choice would be to look at what is sailed at your club, see if there is anything in a fleet that fits your size (I'm a similar weight and currently sail a Solo, but would suit anything from an OK, Finn, RS300, D1 or Phantom if there were a local fleet to give these options).  You will progress far quicker (and probably enjoy it more) if you have others to race against in a fleet, but sadly a lot of clubs have moved solely across to PY racing outside of Lasers... and yes, 95kg is just too big to make them fun.

As for the Vareo- I've owned 2 in the past, whilst not the best upwind performer, it is a good fun boat- especially the older cheaper ones- solid as anything.  

The added sail adds some fun factor for blatting about, and if you can justify the upgrade to the newer flatter radial cut spinnaker (now or at some point in the future), then it probably lends itself to round-the-cans club racing better than any other singlehander with an asymmetric.  

Let us know what the club currently has as fleets- if it has them.... we could then give some more detailed feedback and the pros and cons of them verses the Vareo.



Edited by pondmonkey - 05 Feb 13 at 12:09pm
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Rupert View Drop Down
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Posts: 8956 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Rupert Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Feb 13 at 12:52pm
I'm a lot smaller than you, but sailed them a fair amount last summer. Had great fun, but was blown away fairly early on when the wind kicked in - not a problem you'll have - maybe you'll struggle in the light stuff, but more fun when the wind blows anyway!

Before last summer, I'd have had my doubts. Now I say go for it - you'll have fun!
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Posts: 190 		Post Options Post Options   Quote bferry Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Feb 13 at 1:17pm
If I was 95kg I'd sail my Vareo much more often!  Great boat, great fun and ticks all the boxes in my book.
Bernard
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Posts: 51 		Post Options Post Options   Quote ajbaldwin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Feb 13 at 1:44pm
Hi All

I have joined the Yorkshire Dales Sailing Club, although I am not an expert but the times I have been up and crewed in the sunday racing the single sail fleet seems to be mostly lasers, a couple of toppers a phantom gets out a fair bit plus a couple of Contenders.  The club seems to sail a lot of  single and double Skiff's and vortex (which I would love to try but I think I need a season in an easier boat) There is a good 200 and 400 fleet as well.  Plus some assorted cats 

I have had a look on the boat park plan and there a a few Vareos but I have never seen them on the water.

Also I have probably been up about 15 times and I don't remember ever seeing it not blowing a gale  Shocked  so that is something to consider
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Posts: 742 		Post Options Post Options   Quote rb_stretch Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Feb 13 at 1:47pm
We have two Vareos at our club and the owners seem to enjoy them however they do struggle to sail to the handicap (mostly cause the spinnakers never really get the chance to work for you). This shouldn't be a problem early on, but can be a bit frustrating later.
Otherwise seems a sensible choice along with other boats good at carrying heaverweights: Phantom, Finn and OK.
 
I was in a similar position to you just over 2 years ago. I'm fractionally heavier and taller and hadn't sailed dinghies in over 10 years. First got a cheap Solo, having considered the Vareo. Solos are not a bad boat, but I really struggled being tall, so sold it after 5 months and bought a Phantom. This was a revelation in comparison - you just can't underestimate how having a bit of space helps your sailing.
 
Personally found the RS300 mast too flexible (also not easy to just jump in), whilst the D1 is a big investment for someone just coming back in.
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rb_stretch View Drop Down
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Posts: 742 		Post Options Post Options   Quote rb_stretch Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Feb 13 at 1:54pm
Originally posted by ajbaldwin

Hi All

I have joined the Yorkshire Dales Sailing Club, although I am not an expert but the times I have been up and crewed in the sunday racing the single sail fleet seems to be mostly lasers, a couple of toppers a phantom gets out a fair bit plus a couple of Contenders.  The club seems to sail a lot of  single and double Skiff's and vortex (which I would love to try but I think I need a season in an easier boat) There is a good 200 and 400 fleet as well.  Plus some assorted cats 

I have had a look on the boat park plan and there a a few Vareos but I have never seen them on the water.

Also I have probably been up about 15 times and I don't remember ever seeing it not blowing a gale  Shocked  so that is something to consider
 
If you've got another regular Phantom sailor I would definitely go fo the Phantom then. Nothing helps your sailing better than a sailing buddy in the same boat. IMHO it is worth stretching for an Epoxy boat, but if money is tight you can get a usable boat for a lot less. If wood you can pick up some real bargains, such as the £350 one on Apolloduck.
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winging it View Drop Down
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Posts: 3958 		Post Options Post Options   Quote winging it Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Feb 13 at 2:04pm
this is where I wish the megabyte was more popular over here, but ho hum.

I don't think the vareo is the right boat for a beginner, what the size and weight.  A chap came up with one a year or so ago, when we were running a 'back to sailing' session.  medium winds, all he did was fall in time after time then he went home and we never saw him again.  The boat is sitting unloved in the dinghy park.   I think you need something more stablle and accommodating while you find your feet.  An older phantom seems the obvious choice, as rb says above.

Yorkshire Dales is a great club - superb water, great facilities and above all really friendly. 
the same, but different...

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pondmonkey View Drop Down
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Posts: 2202 		Post Options Post Options   Quote pondmonkey Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Feb 13 at 2:09pm
Given what you've just posted, get an older Phantom... 
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Posts: 190 		Post Options Post Options   Quote bferry Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Feb 13 at 2:14pm
Originally posted by winging it

I don't think the vareo is the right boat for a beginner, what the size and weight.  A chap came up with one a year or so ago, when we were running a 'back to sailing' session.  medium winds, all he did was fall in time after time then he went home and we never saw him again.  The boat is sitting unloved in the dinghy park.   I think you need something more stablle and accommodating while you find your feet.  An older phantom seems the obvious choice, as rb says above.

Yorkshire Dales is a great club - superb water, great facilities and above all really friendly. 
 
 

I tend to disagree with the Vareo being unsuitable for a beginner.  I learnt to sail in a Miracle (sometimes single handed) for about a year and then moved onto the Vareo as my first single handed boat. I'd never sailed a single handed boat before and took to the Vareo without any problems.  My sailing club only sail lasers and now, recently Fevas so there was not much coaching available on how to sail the boat. 

 

Admittedly, I had to learn from my mistakes, however its an easy boat to lean on and has a relatively stable hull that can be very forgiving.  Having an open transom also makes recovery easy. Its a boat you can grow into.  First get the feel of the boat in light winds, then as confidence and experience builds up, have a go with the kite and eventually go out in stronger winds. 

 

In my opinion you get a lot of boat for your money and there are a few boats for sale.  Moreover, the RS circuit comes with the boat especially if you live in the UK.

 
Bernard
Vareo 249
Miracle 2818
Malta
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