Newbie sailor

   Got out this morning at rutland to do a half day refresher with instructor and still can't get the smile off my face!! Spent an hour in a Bahia then rather than a pico I was allowed out in a laser...loved it.
Think I'm sold on the idea of owning a single hander and hiring or borrowing a club boat to take family out, makes more sense.

Thanks for all the advice

Dan

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Dannyboy Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 29 Aug 13 Online Status: Offline Posts: 6	Post Options Post Reply Quote Dannyboy Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Newbie sailor Posted: 11 Sep 13 at 4:47pm
	Got out this morning at rutland to do a half day refresher with instructor and still can't get the smile off my face!! Spent an hour in a Bahia then rather than a pico I was allowed out in a laser...loved it. Think I'm sold on the idea of owning a single hander and hiring or borrowing a club boat to take family out, makes more sense. Thanks for all the advice Dan

winging it Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 22 Mar 07 Online Status: Offline Posts: 3958	Post Options Post Reply Quote winging it Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 02 Sep 13 at 7:53pm
	Do what Andy mck says - try all the club boats, talk to other members, don't buy anything until you have tried as many boats as possible. Get out of the pico as soon as you have remembered how to tack and gybe.
	the same, but different...

Dannyboy Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 29 Aug 13 Online Status: Offline Posts: 6	Post Options Post Reply Quote Dannyboy Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 02 Sep 13 at 7:10pm
	Thanks for that. The more I think about it the more it would make sense to go down the laser route and as a previous post mentioned maybe borrow or hire the club boats for family sailing. Itching to get out on the water now

Reuben T Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Groupie Joined: 22 Mar 13 Location: Lyme Regis Online Status: Offline Posts: 74	Post Options Post Reply Quote Reuben T Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 01 Sep 13 at 9:12pm
	A laser II might be ok, it handles fine under just main if you were wanting to single hand it and then you can keep the same boat as you progress to use the trapeze and spinnaker with your family. Also with so many sails having bolt ropes of practically the same diameter you can get a bigger\more powerful boat than you can currently handle or use a double hander by yourself by, getting an old set of sails from some other boat.

andymck Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 15 Dec 06 Location: Stamford Online Status: Offline Posts: 397	Post Options Post Reply Quote andymck Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 01 Sep 13 at 12:39pm
	Yes. The single handed type was what I was referring to. This was due to the mention of a solo further up. The double handed options are wide as well. There are club boats and also the sailing school boats that can be borrowed or hired. There are a few people enjoying rotamoulded boats. The laser2000 which has also become popular. The bottom line is to come down and see what is being sailed in your price range and type.
	Andy Mck

Dannyboy Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 29 Aug 13 Online Status: Offline Posts: 6	Post Options Post Reply Quote Dannyboy Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 01 Sep 13 at 10:35am
	Thanks Andy I've decided to probably spend as much time as I can in a pico so I'm happy I can do the basics. Then next spring think about a purchase. Andy, excuse my ignorance, when you say laser are you referring to the 1 man single handed type? Just get a bit confused with all the different classes of lasers. What ever I purchase it would need to accommodate 2 as my wife is keen to sail with me. Dan

andymck Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 15 Dec 06 Location: Stamford Online Status: Offline Posts: 397	Post Options Post Reply Quote andymck Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 31 Aug 13 at 9:57pm
	Dan. Don't buy anything yet. Come down to the club. The laser fleet is large and mixed ability and the class captain was in your position a few years ago. There will be boats you can borrow. Then if a two person boat appeals then there are also a few options. There are a lot of laser 2000's about at the moment. And before anyone starts putting them down we have a couple of top class sailors who have gone down that path. My advice is always to not buy till you have had chance to see what goes on in your club. I hated lasers but am now the proud regular racer in one at Rutland. Andy
	Andy Mck

RichTea Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 22 Jan 13 Online Status: Offline Posts: 207	Post Options Post Reply Quote RichTea Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 31 Aug 13 at 8:08pm
	Laser 2 single handed, if say no, not as your first boat. The mast will meet the water a lot. I'd go for the pico option, be aware that in light winds it won't be a comfy sail. The Laser is a good bet, don't worry about getting the latest XD kit, a bonus if available but not essential. I'd say keep up sailing for this year, try different boats, and enjoy it.
	RS200

Dannyboy Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 29 Aug 13 Online Status: Offline Posts: 6	Post Options Post Reply Quote Dannyboy Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 31 Aug 13 at 3:04pm
	Thanks for all the replies. My intention is to hire a pico for the next few months to re-learn the stuff I did on the course before committing myself to buying a dinghy. I have been looking at the laser2's on Apollo duck and there are a good few that will be within my budget. If this can be sailed singlehanded and also sailed with my wife then it seems a good choice. Dan

NickA Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 30 Mar 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 784	Post Options Post Reply Quote NickA Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 30 Aug 13 at 10:31pm
	Did you want to sail two up at all? If so, a laser or a solo would be a bad decision. Whereas a dedicated single hander will be cramped and dull for two; almost any double hander can be single handed if it's not too windy. You could manage an Enterprise alone at your size. Laser 2000s are a kind of modern version of an enterprise with a kite for when you get more confident. Laser 2s are cheap as chips and single handable up to F2 and a bit (after which you need to learn trapezing) and Miracles are well spoken of - but maybe a bit small as you're 6'3". Plastic boats like the RS Vision might also fit the bill if outright performance isn't an issue (but avoid the Vago - it's wobbly and quite hard to sail despite being a bit slow).
	Javelin 558 Contender 2574