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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: 06 Feb 13 at 12:01pm

HI Ian

Yes I think it was you in the Phantom that I have seen out on the water a fair bit, I will introduce myself next time I am up

 In regards to the facilities that YDSC offers, I re-read my post and I don't want it to sound negative.  As yourself and winging it have stated YDSC is a great club and the tie in with Bewley Park RYA means that there are plenty of free to members training sessions.  I attended at least 5 last year where club members gave up their free time to help new members like myself get out on the water by running a number of different types of training sessions for beginners and improvers. The facilities are top notch at YDSC and the other members are always very friendly.

My issue is that there isn’t really a club boat (although there are plenty) that is a good match for me, and I want to find my own boat that I can use for this year sailing.



Edited by ajbaldwin - 06 Feb 13 at 12:07pm
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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: 06 Feb 13 at 9:14am
Have fun at Minorca sailing - it was where I was playing in a Vareo. Get some Laser coaching in too, though - you'll learn loads.
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iansmithofotley View Drop Down
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Posts: 209 		Post Options Post Options   Quote iansmithofotley Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Feb 13 at 10:02pm
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

Hi ajbaldwin,

 

It is probably me who you have seen in the Phantom (which I have had for eight years), albeit I didn’t sail for most of last year as I had a knee operation in July.  I haven’t sailed in recent weeks due to the ridiculously strong winds and the deep snow problems.

 

You are welcome to have a sail in my boat at any suitable time.  My boat is epoxy with a carbon rig.

 

As you are aware, the club closes down from 1st March until 30th April, due to the bird breeding season for Wigeons and Ringed Plovers, so there are only three sailing weekends left until next season.

 

Despite your weight and height, if you haven’t helmed for twenty years, for next season it might be a good idea to get yourself a reasonable Laser for a while (or use the ‘tired’ club Lasers) and take part in the club racing.  By doing this, you will ease yourself back into racing and increase your skills and confidence. The Laser fleet, at the club, has a really good range of Laser sailors from learners to experts.

 

There are at least three Vareos, which are occasionally raced at the club.  You might be able to get a trial sail in one of those before you commit yourself into buying a boat.

 

As an aside, although a steeper learning curve (because of the trapeze), a cheap Contender might be suitable.  There are at least three other Contenders in the club.

 

So far as relates to a Vortex – they are cheap to buy, and there are a few that are regularly raced at the club - 99% of them have a kite.  All of the Vortex National Championships, since the boat was introduced in 2000, have been won by three sailors from our club.  Personally, I think that at 95kgs, you are around 15 kgs too heavy for a Vortex.  You would also have to cope with a trapeze and (possibly) a kite but, being a catamaran, you would find it very stable and forgiving compared to other high performance boats.

 

I hope that this helps.  Introduce yourself if you see me at the club and you can arrange to have a sail in my boat, if you wish.  You can also contact me via the club website.

 

Ian  (Yorkshire Dales S.C.)
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Rockhopper View Drop Down
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Posts: 642 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Rockhopper Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Feb 13 at 5:06pm
Well when i had my vareos i was 90-95 kgs And at 6ft 3" had great fun in them no problem with handicap apart from beating against the tide at our club.
I say go for it they are quite stable and good to learn but to get the best out of them you need to hike hard not just sit on the side
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Kev M View Drop Down
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Posts: 346 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Kev M Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Feb 13 at 4:34pm

It has been on there for a longish time.  I wonder if the owner had the wool pulled over his eyes when he bought it and either hasn't realised what it is worth or doesn't want to take the hit to his wallet?

I think Vareos are good fun and was tempted to buy one myself to give me something to do on those boring runs we get lots of.  Then it dawned on me that in a handicap race you have to be somewhere near the front to stand a chance because in a slower boat you just get everyone elses crap wind which slows you down even more.  At least with a Phantom I should in theory be somewhere nearer the front over the water at least, then it's down to me to make up the rest of the time to get a good result. 

If your budget can find one, get a Phantom although be warned, the boom seems really low (which makes me secretly want a 300 in a couple of years time).
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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 4:09pm
Originally posted by Kev M

I don't think that one is epoxy if the boat number is right.  Production epoxy boats started at 1100 and there were 2-3 pre-production models made just before 1100 from my understanding.  For that sort of money I'd expect a carbon mast too.

I reckon that's a £2000 boat tops.

 
Yes, you look right on that. I didn't pay too much attention and just assumed Epoxy boat, then it must carbon mast as well. £2k does sound nearer the mark.
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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 3:01pm
Originally posted by ajbaldwin

.

I will look at an old Phantom as maybe a stop gap to help get some time out on the water

 
if you buy right, you won't lose too much money- even if you only keep it for a year or so.

It's worth touching base with the Phantom Class via their website and forum- very friendly chaps and will be blunter than a Ginsters cheese slice about any boat advertised, especially if someone is potentially taking the piss out of you before you go visit it with a wedge.





Edited by pondmonkey - 05 Feb 13 at 3:02pm
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Kev M View Drop Down
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Posts: 346 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Kev M Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Feb 13 at 2:58pm

I don't think that one is epoxy if the boat number is right.  Production epoxy boats started at 1100 and there were 2-3 pre-production models made just before 1100 from my understanding.  For that sort of money I'd expect a carbon mast too.

I reckon that's a £2000 boat tops.
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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 2:51pm
An epoxy Phantom is on Apolloduck for £3k at the moment. That compares very favourably with the two Vareos up for sale between £2.5k and £3.8k.
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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 Posted: 05 Feb 13 at 2:32pm
HMMM thanks all, more food for thought

the  problem is I am very impatient to get sailing  Big smile  (although as I type this looking out the window and living by Ilkley Moor the snow is sheeting down and its freezing).  there isn't really a club boat I can use apart from a couple of tired lasers.

I have persuaded the wife that a week at Minorca sailing in May will be fun, where I can try out a fair few boats, but I don't want to wait until then to start sailing again.

I will look at an old Phantom as maybe a stop gap to help get some time out on the water
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