First boat - Omega or laser 2000

   Completely new to sailing, due to complete the RYA Begin Sailing course next week. Looking round for a boat. Influenced by brochures and magazine tests so far and at the top of the list are a Topaz Omega and a Laser 2000. The boat will be inland lake sailed, double handed or 2 + a teenager, and, while the idea is to be “messing around in boats” eventually some, not too serious, racing will have to be done. I would welcome comments for everyone but especially from those who have sailed both.

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Riggin Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 18 May 05 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5	Post Options Post Reply Quote Riggin Report Post Quote Reply Topic: First boat - Omega or laser 2000 Posted: 18 May 05 at 8:46am
	Completely new to sailing, due to complete the RYA Begin Sailing course next week. Looking round for a boat. Influenced by brochures and magazine tests so far and at the top of the list are a Topaz Omega and a Laser 2000. The boat will be inland lake sailed, double handed or 2 + a teenager, and, while the idea is to be “messing around in boats” eventually some, not too serious, racing will have to be done. I would welcome comments for everyone but especially from those who have sailed both.

andy_cherub Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 16 Mar 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 768	Post Options Post Reply Quote andy_cherub Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 18 May 05 at 9:15am
	Laser 2000 - its a good learnin boat, the omega just handles like a complete pig and doesnt EVER go in the direction you point it in, + it may actually weigh more than your house! & racing wise you can actually do this in the 2000, but again, its a big ole heavy thing. Or from your choice, there is also an albacore - its a very big stable boat, like the 2000 and omega, so you can take the family out. but once you have got good at sailing, you can race them and they dont hang about when pushed. Its what my dad taught me in yearsssss ago - he still races it today! But a 2000 is a bit more indestructable, as in - you cant actually break it!! Hope this helps, Andy
	-12ft skiff, Team 'CST Composites' -Many thanks goes out to all of my sponsors. Ignore my user name, my views are of a 12ft skiff

Wave Rider Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 27 Oct 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 909	Post Options Post Reply Quote Wave Rider Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 18 May 05 at 9:50am
	Yeah if i were you id go for the laser 2000 becaue it is faster than the omega and is nicer to sail than a omega because of the omega being rotomoulded. The 2000 is often used for training and has optional trapeze to when it gets windy you could have a blast when its windy
	-[Franko]- Chew Valley Lake Sailing Club RS600 933

Riggin Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 18 May 05 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5	Post Options Post Reply Quote Riggin Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 18 May 05 at 9:57am
	Thanks for the response. The omega reads well in the magazines but after reading what people say who have sailed them I am leaning towards the laser 2000. Thanks for the albacore tip though.

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: 18 May 05 at 10:17am
	yer go for the 2000 because they have an assosiation and u could get tips and pionters from people in the class!! hope u get a boat soon!!
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hurricane 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: 1047	Post Options Post Reply Quote hurricane Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 18 May 05 at 10:32am
	look at the other 2000 postings on the website it has some good info
	lifes to short to sail slow boats! RIP Olympic Tornado 1976-2007

Jack Sparrow 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: 2965	Post Options Post Reply Quote Jack Sparrow Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 18 May 05 at 11:54am
	worth looking at the RS 200 as well or National 12 although they are small and it depends on how big you are. Edited by Jack Sparrow
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Riggin Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 18 May 05 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5	Post Options Post Reply Quote Riggin Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 18 May 05 at 1:01pm
	My partner likes the sit in look of the laser 2000 and the Omega and thinks they would make nice stable boats for cruising around the lake. It won’t be long before we will want to tag on the back of the informal races, and when that happens I won’t want to come last. I think the RS 200 is a little bit small for us and maybe a bit too race focused. So I think the laser/Omega size is about right for us but I want a boat we can grow with. I take the point about having a boat that is in an association or has a fleet presence at the club. You can tap into help and knowledge. I’m slightly disappointed the Omega hasn’t got a following, as it looks just the job on paper. But getting the low down from people who have sailed them is an important part of not making a mistake that would get our sailing off on the wrong foot.

lemeouttahere Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Groupie Joined: 31 Mar 05 Online Status: Offline Posts: 94	Post Options Post Reply Quote lemeouttahere Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 18 May 05 at 1:45pm
	how about a wayfarer or wanderer stable and comfortable but with the racing edge.

andy_cherub Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 16 Mar 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 768	Post Options Post Reply Quote andy_cherub Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 18 May 05 at 1:50pm
	I reckon a laser 2000 would suit you fine, but if you want a nice sit on cruiser which you could then race I really do recomend an albacore. Its very stable, has seats inside - a bit in the front for a cool box with your sandwiches! and most of all you can easily grow with it and race it in time. Here is the class assocation http://www.albacore.org.uk/
	-12ft skiff, Team 'CST Composites' -Many thanks goes out to all of my sponsors. Ignore my user name, my views are of a 12ft skiff