Best first Fat Boy boat

Evening all, long time reader first time poster here.
I'm looking to buy my first boat. Ensuing post will probably cause mass debate (don't say those words too quickly! har har)

I'm no Ben ainslie, but I've been sailing for a few years on/off. I have never competed before. I'd like something that I can compete in singlehandedly, but also 2 up when required (yes its another one of these impossible newbie requirement threads...).

Ideally something that is:
Stable, 'easy'(er) to sail
Can move about onshore without a problem
Will take 2 adults, but competable 1 up when required
I do love using a kite (although not a major requirement)
Here's the potential kicker - I'm 6'4 and 18st/115kg (although will need to shave about 15kg off for the next rugby season!). I'm relatively fit on that weight.

I've been going round in circles looking at boats to shortlist to try out - 2000s, RS Vareos, Vagos etc. But i seem to find some forum post for just about every boat with a few comments in that put me off it.

I did think maybe 2 boats would be the answer - perhaps a laser and something a little bigger for when the missus fancies a trip out in the boat? I've taken a few lasers out on the local lake, and always thought they were a little on the underpowered for me (although post of this was in lighter winds, and i believe may have been on one of the smaller rigs). 

I wonder if actually with my size/weight i'd find a larger boat, perhaps not normally sailed singlehanded a little easier?

Last year i did spend a bit of time out in a Magno, and at first glance i thought it fit the bill, but i really didn't get on with it (i thought it was terrible?!?).

Basically, it'd be great to get a few thoughts from people, and if there are any larger gentlemen out there that can give me some first hand accounts of what singlehanding a bigger boat is like when you've got a bit of weight behind you, that'd be great.

Cheers!

PS - never tried trapezing, will i snap a mast? It's something i definitely want to give a go!

Edited by cautiouscamel - 28 Mar 16 at 10:24pm

Author	Message Share Topic Printable Version Delicious Digg Facebook Furl Google MySpace Newsvine reddit StumbleUpon Translate Twitter Windows Live Yahoo Bookmarks Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic
cautiouscamel Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 28 Mar 16 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1	Post Options Post Reply Quote cautiouscamel Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Best first Fat Boy boat Posted: 28 Mar 16 at 10:23pm
	Evening all, long time reader first time poster here. I'm looking to buy my first boat. Ensuing post will probably cause mass debate (don't say those words too quickly! har har) I'm no Ben ainslie, but I've been sailing for a few years on/off. I have never competed before. I'd like something that I can compete in singlehandedly, but also 2 up when required (yes its another one of these impossible newbie requirement threads...). Ideally something that is: Stable, 'easy'(er) to sail Can move about onshore without a problem Will take 2 adults, but competable 1 up when required I do love using a kite (although not a major requirement) Here's the potential kicker - I'm 6'4 and 18st/115kg (although will need to shave about 15kg off for the next rugby season!). I'm relatively fit on that weight. I've been going round in circles looking at boats to shortlist to try out - 2000s, RS Vareos, Vagos etc. But i seem to find some forum post for just about every boat with a few comments in that put me off it. I did think maybe 2 boats would be the answer - perhaps a laser and something a little bigger for when the missus fancies a trip out in the boat? I've taken a few lasers out on the local lake, and always thought they were a little on the underpowered for me (although post of this was in lighter winds, and i believe may have been on one of the smaller rigs). I wonder if actually with my size/weight i'd find a larger boat, perhaps not normally sailed singlehanded a little easier? Last year i did spend a bit of time out in a Magno, and at first glance i thought it fit the bill, but i really didn't get on with it (i thought it was terrible?!?). Basically, it'd be great to get a few thoughts from people, and if there are any larger gentlemen out there that can give me some first hand accounts of what singlehanding a bigger boat is like when you've got a bit of weight behind you, that'd be great. Cheers! PS - never tried trapezing, will i snap a mast? It's something i definitely want to give a go! Edited by cautiouscamel - 28 Mar 16 at 10:24pm

Pierre Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 15 Mar 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1532	Post Options Post Reply Quote Pierre Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 29 Mar 16 at 7:28am
	Osprey... Absolute shoo-in....

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: 6662	Post Options Post Reply Quote JimC Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 29 Mar 16 at 11:36am
	Good grief. Take off the damned tunnel vision spectacles mate. There may be worse choices for the declared job than the osprey, but not many and not much.

iGRF Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 07 Mar 11 Location: Hythe Online Status: Offline Posts: 6499	Post Options Post Reply Quote iGRF Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 29 Mar 16 at 12:06pm
	Diet is your friend.. Then don't we need to know who the crew is likely to be? Is it parent child, wife/girl/boy/civilpartnerfriend? Couple of excellent boats if it's just you, the Phantom or that new Hadron, both could probably take a passenger at a push for just joy riding. Edit just had another thought, there's a guy way up Norh uses an Icon single handed without the jib, then bungs the jib back on for two up competition, that could work for you. Edited by iGRF - 29 Mar 16 at 12:08pm
	Snow Equipment Deals New Core Kite website

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: 6662	Post Options Post Reply Quote JimC Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 29 Mar 16 at 12:11pm
	For a more serious answer. Yes, two boats is the right choice, but you don't want to own two. Find yourself a local sailing club that has a selection of rental boats, and hire a two hander when you need to take a second person out. That leaves you with the simpler task of identifying a singlehander. The conventional choices for the more substantial singlehander Sailor are Finn and Phantom, the Phantom being by far the lighter, but both are really in the advanced category. A Laser, especially if you can find one with the bigger Rooster rig for lighter winds, is going to be easy to buty and easy to sell again when you're a bit more practised and a bit more focussed on your requirements.

Kev M Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 05 Dec 11 Location: Landlocked Online Status: Offline Posts: 346	Post Options Post Reply Quote Kev M Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 29 Mar 16 at 12:23pm
	I'd echo Jim's sentiment about renting a two person boat when needed but I wouldn't advise a laser. A phantom isn't a bad choice, I'd only been sailing two years when I got mine. They're not hard to sail but like most boats they're hard to sail well. Depending on where you sail you might want to consider an RS100 with the big rig. Not as competitive as my phantom where I sail but I'm having much more fun in it and they're a bargain second hand compared to other boats of a similar spec and agree. You should also consider the Blaze with a Halo sail maybe.
	Successfully confusing ambition with ability since 1980.

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: 29 Mar 16 at 12:37pm
	If back down to 100kg for the season, then that opens up boats like the Supernova and, if a spinnaker is wanted, the Vareo. Otherwise, I knew a big chap who raced an Albacore very successfully singlehanded. Using the jib too isn't a big deal. I do very similar in the Firefly in smaller scale.
	Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686

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: 29 Mar 16 at 1:29pm
	this wouldn't be a bad start point, assuming you follow the very solid advice of hiring the right tool for the job for those occasional double-handed sessions.... https://www.facebook.com/groups/dinghies/permalink/1020845634621548/ Edited by turnturtle - 29 Mar 16 at 1:30pm

gordon1277 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 24 Mar 10 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 665	Post Options Post Reply Quote gordon1277 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 29 Mar 16 at 2:20pm
	Trapezing You should be fine, well worth finding someone with an Osprey, 505 or FD sorry but I dont think any of the asymetric boats are designed for people of sensible size to crew in. Singlehander Phantom is a brillieant boat for your dimensions and a very friendly fleet. Regards Gordon 6ft 2in 17.5 stone Phantom 1430
	Gordon Lossc

Kev M Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 05 Dec 11 Location: Landlocked Online Status: Offline Posts: 346	Post Options Post Reply Quote Kev M Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 29 Mar 16 at 2:34pm
	100kg is way too heavy for a Supernova or a Vareo in my opinion.
	Successfully confusing ambition with ability since 1980.