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Which skiff to choose

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    Posted: 05 Oct 06 at 8:01pm
What is the best crew weight for the 800? Me and my crew a combined weight of 170-180kg. I guess we are a bit too heavy...but we do not aim to race since there are no 800s in Sweden... How much would it affect boatspeed?
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Post Options Post Options   Quote combat wombat Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Oct 06 at 12:42pm

True that the 5k has momentum!  Great boats, would be so much better if they weren't so heavy. 

Boatshed, you're probably right about the B14 being not easy, you have to be competent in a 400 certainly to get them up to speed.  They are forgiving though, and not nearly as tippy as other boats of a similar speed. 

You do have to be pretty agile, the wierd thing about sailing the B14 is that you have to go from sitting down to standing up a lot, unlike a trapeze boat where you come off the wire standing up, run across the boat and hook on - the B14 requires you to hike, then get back in, stand up, run about 10 feet then hook your feet under the straps and hike... the technique is difficult to master!

As for the class, yep the competition is fierce and there are 5 boats that always take the top places (and have done for years!).  Even at the Worlds they didn't let the Aussies in the top 5.  But, its good to learn from them and maybe in 10 years...

B14 GBR 772
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Post Options Post Options   Quote boatshed Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Oct 06 at 8:08am

Originally posted by jbungener

I am looking for a skiff to go sailing with my wife. I have done my share of swimming but she is still learning the ropes. We weigh in at a combined 160Kg (350lbs)
An Rs800, Boss or 49er are probably too much.
a 29er is too small.
Maybe the ISO.
I was thinking of the laser 5000. It seems in decline, why is that?

I am looking for something that will forgive our early mistakes and yet progress with us. IS that possible?
Which boats would you recommend?
Thanks

If an RS800 is too much, then a B14 will also be too much.  Don't be fooled by the fact they are sitting out boats.  They are great value and quality of the circuit is right up there but I reckon if you are not pretty good in, say a Lark, National 12, RS 400 etc, then you will become disillusioned with racing a  B14.  The learning curve to get you somewhere near competitive is very steep.  If you crack it, then the, non-marketed & commercially ignored B14 is hugely rewarding. It may even be one of the best boats you'll ever sail.

Steve
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Post Options Post Options   Quote 49erGBR735HSC Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Oct 06 at 11:13pm
The 5k kite is fractional but only a little bit bigger than the B14. Reckon the power to weight ratio of the B14 is larger but the 5000 does carry a fair bit of momentum when the wind is less stable.
Dennis Watson 49er GBR735
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Post Options Post Options   Quote combat wombat Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Oct 06 at 6:31pm
Originally posted by NickA


The sole B14 owner at our place found it a scream up and down the wind but couldn't keep the nose down on club race reaching legs (technique perhaps?) it kept bearing off of its own and he stopped sailing it.  But they do look great.


The problem is that the kite is too full, its impossible to reach with.  Designed to sail extremely deep only, but you can get reaching kites for them.  30 sq/m for a fractional kite, I reckon it must be the biggest fractional dinghy kite around (or is the 5k fractional?)
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Post Options Post Options   Quote 29er397 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Oct 06 at 5:36pm
Originally posted by m_liddell

I constantly amazed at the performance of the 29er with such small sails.



Im not saying it has bad performance, just that i prefer a bit more grunt and we just like to feel properly powered up before it gets to a top F3. also i am not a big fan of the hiking idea!


 
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Post Options Post Options   Quote m_liddell Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Oct 06 at 10:46pm

Originally posted by 29er397

i would agree, the 29er does go well, the only issue i had with it was my crew (brother) and the fact that the sails were a bit small for our liking.

I constantly amazed at the performance of the 29er with such small sails.

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Post Options Post Options   Quote 49erGBR735HSC Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Oct 06 at 10:12pm

Originally posted by jbungener

I am looking for a skiff to go sailing with my wife. I have done my share of swimming but she is still learning the ropes. We weigh in at a combined 160Kg (350lbs)

Reckon 160kg will also be too heavy for the RS500 and 29er....



Edited by 49erGBR735HSC
Dennis Watson 49er GBR735
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Skiffman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Oct 06 at 10:10pm
the 29er is an awesome boat to sail on the sea especially in big waves and wind. They are much nicer to sail on the sea than inland as with most high performance boats. 140kgs in an RS500 is that not a bit to much?
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Post Options Post Options   Quote 49erGBR735HSC Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Oct 06 at 9:59pm
Originally posted by combat wombat

Originally posted by 49erGBR735HSC

I'd say bite the bullet and go straight for the 49er.



Then spend 2 seasons learning to swim, and making regular claims on insurance for broken masts...

It has to be the B14.  Stop whining about having to do work (ie no self tacker and bagging the kite) and get one! 

PS I've never seen a Fireball holding onto us upwind. 

We haven't broken a mast or made any regular claims on our insurance let alone had any big ones. As for swimming, reckon that any true High Performance boat does have a bit of a learning curve. Reckon the 5000 is harder work than the B14 strength wise and the 49er is more effort athletically and agilitywise than the 5000.

Dennis Watson 49er GBR735
Helensburgh S.C
Boat Insurance from Noble Marine

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