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Adam MR 1137 View Drop Down
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Posts: 114 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Adam MR 1137 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: For the Larger beginner
    Posted: 02 Jun 09 at 9:41am

Interestingly (as an end boat) no one has mentioned the OK...

OK - I reckon that the boom will be too low & they may not carry the necessary weight well.

The OK carries weight very well, sailors being competitive over 100kg.

The boom looks low while sailing, but while tacking or gybing the boom comes up as the rig straigtens, and if you get a tape measure there is actually more space under it than in a laser, due to the deep cockpit. Plus if you are a heavier sailor you will not have as much rake on the mast which will mean the boom will come up even higher with no mainsheet tension on.

Just remember, no kicker upwind, use mainsheet for leech tension and traveler for setting boom position. Dont forget to let the kicker off downwind for the gybes! It only takes 2 or 3 dunkings from forgetting this, to get the hang of it. The rig is very similar to a europe or fin,  it is a very rewarding boat, doesnt require the fitness a fin does and carries weight unlike the europe.
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dann172 View Drop Down
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Posts: 4 		Post Options Post Options   Quote dann172 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Jun 09 at 8:19am

Thanks for all the advice everyone, lots for me to think about.

From the posts it seems that there really is not a simple learning solution for a large and heavy guy, as all the trainig type boats are built for kids. Do like the idea of a few of the boats mentioned, laser, phantom & blaze. I'm going to take out one of the Draycote owned lasers later on in the week so will see how I get on with that.
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bert View Drop Down
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Posts: 584 		Post Options Post Options   Quote bert Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Jun 09 at 12:52am

Jon Emmett:- Don't worry you are definitely not too tall for it! - I am 6 ft tall & 16 1/2 stone & I would say that I am too big & tall for mine.

 

Solo... Easy to sail, strong club racing ( one of the best fleets in the country ) but you will properly find you are too big for one.- I was to heavy at 14 1/2 stone but has good tactical racing.

 

Phantom... Great boat, 2 or 3 at Draycote but eventually when you get into racing will find a competitive one is quite expensive.- Classics( woodies) are available cheaper ( appox £1000 - 1500 ) but the resale is also lower BUT a very good boat to sail with your weight & height.

 

Blaze... Just me at the moment, but hopefully i can persuade more to follow.- Good weight carrier & forgiving boat plus when sailed right has a lot of grins for the pound  but at 17 stone you would above the upper completive range.

 

RS300.. Another fantastic boat with i believe 13 or 14 boats now at Draycote. You might find them a bit full on as a relative beginner.- If you have come from a pico this would be a step too far too quickly in my opinion.

 

OK - I reckon that the boom will be too low & they may not carry the necessary weight well.
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Jon Emmett View Drop Down
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Posts: 988 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Jon Emmett Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Jun 09 at 11:36pm
If you did buy a Laser I would suggest spending more like the 2000+ mark as you will find it far easier to sell the boat at the end and if you keep the boat in good order you are unlikely to lose to much money. You really want a boat with the XD kit and you will find it very hard to get one for £500!!! 
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Enterprising View Drop Down
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Posts: 42 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Enterprising Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Jun 09 at 11:33pm

the phantom is the boat I can see you ending up in, but the question is do you want to jump straight into one?  if not, buy a £500 laser, have a thrash for a year, learn the basics, then sell it on and spend the wedge on a decent phantom then.  Alternatively, depending on how brave, or stupid you are feeling, go straight for the phantom, make sure it is self draining as you will fall in a lot, and persevere.

beware of going for something with not enough grunt, as if you find it is a light wind day, you will not be able to sit on the side, and trying to learn to sail scrunched in a ball on a rotomolded hull is going to do nothing for your technique.

http://sailingdinghies.apolloduck.co.uk/display.phtml?aid=11 4151 i a boat very local to you, and has beaten me far too often, so is definitely club competative.

 
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Jon Emmett View Drop Down
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Posts: 988 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Jon Emmett Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Jun 09 at 11:22pm
As a beginner I would avoid fully battened mains and stick to a boat that you are slightly underpowered in. If you enjoy (in example) the Laser you can always upgrade (to a Rooster 8.1) later...

Interestingly (as an end boat) no one has mentioned the OK...
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timeintheboat View Drop Down
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Posts: 615 		Post Options Post Options   Quote timeintheboat Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Jun 09 at 11:15pm
The Supernova takes height and weight well, has a high-ish boom, has laser like ergonomics and are cheap new and second hand.

The fully battened main can take a bit of getting used to  (same on a solo).
Like some other things - sailing is more enjoyable when you do it with someone else
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WOMBAT27 View Drop Down
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Posts: 3 		Post Options Post Options   Quote WOMBAT27 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Jun 09 at 10:41pm
Didn't think of that. Again very good boat, i think there are a couple at Draycote and they are very similar speed to other single handers in the Handicap fleet.
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Villan View Drop Down
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Posts: 1768 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Villan Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Jun 09 at 10:39pm
Vareo? Easily depowerable, and you dont *HAVE* to use the kite ... 
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WOMBAT27 View Drop Down
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Posts: 3 		Post Options Post Options   Quote WOMBAT27 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Jun 09 at 10:37pm

Maybe on first sight it might seem it is not for a beginner.... And maybe for a reel beginner who isn't very confident it might not be. However if you sail within your means and take it slow it shouldn't be a problem and with the wide flat hull of a Blaze it is very stable. That said a Phantom is a brilliant heavy weight boat, but i wouldn't say it is any easier than a Blaze... just look at the size of the sail.

Anyway Dan to give you an idea of single handers at Draycote there are quite a few choices.

Solo... Easy to sail, strong club racing ( one of the best fleets in the country ) but you will proberly find you are too big for one.

Phantom... Great boat, 2 or 3 at Draycote but eventually when you get into racing will find a competitve one is quite expensive.

Blaze... Just me at the moment, but hopefully i can pursuade more to follow.

RS300.. Another fantastic boat with i believe 13 or 14 boats now at Draycote. You might find them a bit full on as a relative beginner.

Laser... A lot at the club but a lot of them don't go out.

Alternatively any single hander out there with a PY number of 1070 or below would guarantee good handicap sailing.

If you choose any of the above mentioned boats you are bound to find plenty of friendly people to give you a hand and point you in the right directiom. From a purely selfish view i'd love it if you chose a Blaze and would give you all the help i could, however whichever boat you choose you will enjoy sailing at Draycote!

Graham

 
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