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robinft View Drop Down
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Posts: 252 		Post Options Post Options   Quote robinft Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Ideas for Starter Dinghy
    Posted: 09 Nov 11 at 5:53pm
Originally posted by themeaningoflife

(still havent found a more fun club than TBYC in all my various travels)
Seb


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alstorer View Drop Down
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Posts: 2899 		Post Options Post Options   Quote alstorer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Oct 11 at 4:27pm
Originally posted by Heccie Thump

I suppose it is like life in general - Jack-of-all Trades, Master of None.
This is bascially the message almost everyone on here tries to impress upon those who wander in and enquire after a boat that's both a good single and good double hander.
-_
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Heccie Thump View Drop Down
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Posts: 10 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Heccie Thump Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Oct 11 at 4:18pm
Funny you should mention the Phantom.  I've just been looking at some footage of Phantoms in action and they seem to fit into my long term plan - learn on something solo and take it from there.  I am sort of torn between the simplicity of the Phantom (single sail and universally recognised and being suitable for someone of my 'stature') and the longer term options of the Vareo (can be sailed with just the mainsail until I get more practice, then introduce the spinnaker at a later date).  Cost may be a deciding factor here.

I like the idea of using club boats when the family decide to come along for the occasional day - I hadn't thought of that and had been looking for something that would tick all boxes. I suppose it is like life in general - Jack-of-all Trades, Master of None.
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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: 18 Oct 11 at 4:09pm
Given the majority of your sailing is going to be solo, I would go for a proper singlehander for you to enjoy the most and hire out a club boat for the odd day the family want to get out on the water.

Lots of choices of singlehander, but given your weight and location I would go for something like a Phantom which is very spacious and suited to the larger sailor. It has so much space that sailing it doublehanded is no problem (I've taken my wife out in my Phantom and it was surprisingly fast). Solos can also take weight, but with the big centreboard case it's hard to squeeze under the boom.
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kfz View Drop Down
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Posts: 96 		Post Options Post Options   Quote kfz Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Oct 11 at 8:58am

Glad your enjoying the GP its design spec pretty much matches what you put as your requirements. For Solo work you will find a jib (or even better a roller Genoa) as opposed to the genoa very usefull. She will sail ok on either main or jib but she goes a whole lot better on both.

For coastal sailing (not estury) slab reefing is essential.  You need some way to quickly and easily reduce sail. Roller is too slow and really needs two failry well practised people to do it well.
 
Cant argue with the Wayfarer she is the better cruiser shes much bigger inside and can comfortably carry a small engine  (though the jury is out on the benefit of such) or oars. If you take the weight ashore (the GP can be a handfull with a good tide running)
 
Not sure what more modern boats yourve tried, out of the few IVe tried quite liked the Laser2000 (though didnt think as happy as thing as the GP) and rarer. Loved the Laser Stratos, fantastic to wind and great fun performance on that weighted keel and great in the big swell and tides we have here (Liverpool SC) though need to be carefull in the very shallow water we often have. She really needs a crew as itshard to steer and wind up that daggerboard at the same time.
 
If you have drying moorings Id be very tempted to go for a handy Trailer sailor, with everything led back  and decent reefing (keep saying it). If the Mrs isnt that keen the bigger the boat the better.  
 
 
Kev
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Liverpool Sailing Club

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Heccie Thump View Drop Down
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Posts: 10 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Heccie Thump Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Oct 11 at 5:33pm
Thanks for all the replies and guidance so far.  It has been much appreciated.

I have taken the plunge and joined a local club that meets at weekends on a lake.  I went out last weekend with one of the club members in a GP14, firstly to refresh what I know (and what I thought I knew) and secondly to assure the existing club members that I am no danger to them!!  All went well and I am lined up to go out solo in a GP14 this weekend, minus the jib.

I have had further discuccions with 'she who must be obeyed' and with the kids and it definitely looks like a majority of my sailing is going to be solo, so I have been doing further reading and research and looked at the boats in the local club.  However, a couple of things have come up in chatting with members in the club:

- I am a big lad.  The Mirror is definitely out!!
- I have a tall body and short legs for my 6'1" frame and I am the first person my instructor has met that needs to duck below the boom of a GP14.  Cockpit space is therefore a concern for future boats.
- I am strong and fit for my age so workload isn't a concern.

For teh forseeable, I will probably carry on with gainign experience in the toned down GP14 but I want to look longer term and something I can call my own.

What boats, if any, fit into my adjusted requirements?  I have read decent things about the RS Vareo, but on the few YouTube clips I have looked at headroom seems like it might be an issue.
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themeaningoflife View Drop Down
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Posts: 212 		Post Options Post Options   Quote themeaningoflife Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Sep 11 at 9:26pm
Totally agree With Steve, the clubs along the Thames are very welcoming (still havent found a more fun club than TBYC in all my various travels) and pretty much all are suited to family boats due to the drying out moorings. One issue might be the tides, especially as you would not be local to the clubs and only have occasional chances, possibly thwarted by the lack of water :/ still nowhere's perfect so could still be the best  Smile

Seb
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Steve H View Drop Down
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Posts: 48 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Steve H Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Sep 11 at 8:01pm
You should also have a look at the clubs east of you along the Thames (Benfleet. Leigh, Essex, Thames Estuary, Alexandra and Thorpe Bay)

There are all sorts of dinghies being sailed there including Estuary One Designs and Sandhoppers  (if you want bigger boats). You would also have the option of putting something the size of a Wayfarer or Lugger on a mooring for almost the same cost as a dinghy space which saves you having to drag it around.
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Heccie Thump View Drop Down
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Posts: 10 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Heccie Thump Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Sep 11 at 6:39pm
Thanks for the replies guys.  Much appreciated.

With work being quite hectic at the moment and a house extension going up I am only likely to get out for an occasional weekend until around March time, when I hope to pick it up a bit.  I will be sure to have a look at the suggested clubs, but was thinking of checking out Havering club to start with (based at Stubbers).

I think I'll hold off on boat ideas for now - the wife just pointed out that she doesn't want a boat cluttering up the driveway, so it may be club sailing for some time to come.

:)
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Jon711 View Drop Down
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Posts: 465 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Jon711 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Sep 11 at 12:10pm
The other option for a localish club would be Broxbourne, also with a sailing school. It may even be a better bet being on a quiet lake, with no one to get in your way, or, for you to get in other people's way!! I would guess, that a Wanderer may be a bit better bet than a Wayfarer. Not sure how suitable, but, a K1, may suit, it seems to have room for passengers (however cosy it may be!!)...

Once, you've tried enough boats, you will know what you want... What suits you, may not suit me, and may not suit the person sitting next to me..... There is no easy answer, I'm afraid..... And most forumites, will promote their favourite boat!

Good Luck, and choose carefully.... (Let's be fair, there is not much wrong with a Drascombe Lugger, it will fit about eight people on board, and can be sailed singlehanded, not very performance related, and heavier than a wayfarer ashore, but manageable..)

Jon
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