Help me – I’m tempted to buy an Enterprise..

   Thanks for the responses. There are a couple of other Ents racing at the club, so that's probably what I'll go for rather than being the only Alb or Kestrel sailor, fine boats though both these are. Interesting too to get the feedback on wood v plastic Ents at my budget (£1-1.5k), I've heard similar things from the guys who sail Ents at the club so a woody sounds like the way to go.

Author	Message Share Topic Printable Version Delicious Digg Facebook Furl Google MySpace Newsvine reddit StumbleUpon Translate Twitter Windows Live Yahoo Bookmarks Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic
Late starter Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 24 Feb 07 Online Status: Offline Posts: 481	Post Options Post Reply Quote Late starter Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Help me – I’m tempted to buy an Enterprise.. Posted: 16 Jun 12 at 9:30am
	Thanks for the responses. There are a couple of other Ents racing at the club, so that's probably what I'll go for rather than being the only Alb or Kestrel sailor, fine boats though both these are. Interesting too to get the feedback on wood v plastic Ents at my budget (£1-1.5k), I've heard similar things from the guys who sail Ents at the club so a woody sounds like the way to go.

sawman Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 04 May 11 Online Status: Offline Posts: 205	Post Options Post Reply Quote sawman Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 15 Jun 12 at 10:26pm
	I cant see a major issue with the ent, but if you want a bit more performance and a kite to play with I can heartily recommend a kestrel. The only drawback with the kestrel might be the longish centreboard they carry, can limit you if your pond is not very deep - I cant remember off hand what it draws, you could probably look it up. I remember finding the bottom regularly when other classes where fine

Caveman Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Groupie Joined: 17 Sep 11 Location: Kent Online Status: Offline Posts: 64	Post Options Post Reply Quote Caveman Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 13 Jun 12 at 2:02pm
	With regard to Ent's, if you plan to race, at that budget a wood boat is likely to be most competitive. Condition is more important than age but a wood boat will require more TLC if you plan to keep it in the boat park. When you are looking at a wood boat, be sure to check it for rot. Common places include the ply around the hog, the transom and the balers. Remember that it is more cost effective to find a boat already set up to race with decent sails rather spend time and money upgrading one that is not. FRP boats can get tatty. Unless new, they will be polyester rather than epoxy. Older fibreglass boats are fine for cruising but not racing. When you go to look at a boat try and take someone with you who knows exactly what to look for. Albacores look like really nice boats - much quicker than an Ent - but I don't much about them. As others have already suggested, get down to the club you plan to join and see what others are sailing. . I find it more fun to race against boats in the same class. Also there is bound to be someone knowledgeable there who can offer you more detailed advice. Edited by Caveman - 13 Jun 12 at 2:13pm
	Enthusiasm>Skill

fab100 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 15 Mar 11 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1005	Post Options Post Reply Quote fab100 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 13 Jun 12 at 12:55pm
	Is there any class racing at your club? Personally, I'd compromise a bit on the boat to get class rather than pure handicap racing. I might also be worth thinking about sailing something with a spinny in due course - much more fun downwind for the crew. Perhaps an RS400
	Great book for Club Sailors here

MrGin Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 31 Jul 07 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 23	Post Options Post Reply Quote MrGin Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 12 Jun 12 at 5:00pm
	An Albacore can be sailed competivelly with an all up crew weight of between 22 and 29 stone due to the ability of being easily able to depower. I'd go for an Alb! Phil 8152 "Albaholic"
	Phil A8152 "Albaholic"

timeintheboat Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 01 Feb 07 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 615	Post Options Post Reply Quote timeintheboat Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 12 Jun 12 at 12:26pm
	Nothing wrong with the ent (now centre sheet is allowed ) There are plenty about, easy to look after and good value. That said I'd go for the Alb over the Ent.
	Like some other things - sailing is more enjoyable when you do it with someone else

JohnW Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 17 Jul 07 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 552	Post Options Post Reply Quote JohnW Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 12 Jun 12 at 10:41am
	All the controls as well as jib sheets are lead to the centre of my Albacore, so if it is windy I can assist with a bit of extra grunt, but otherwise no issues sailing with my daughters when they were young.

Rupert Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 11 Aug 04 Location: Whitefriars sc Online Status: Offline Posts: 8956	Post Options Post Reply Quote Rupert Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 12 Jun 12 at 10:28am
	8 stone crew would have no trouble, and it sounds like you'd be able to keep the boat flat, so if an Alb makes you happier than an Ent, then go for it! Borrow them both, have a play, maybe throw in the suggested Merlin too, & go & play. The process of choosing and buying a boat is one of the best bits of sailing - all those new experiences - so enjoy!
	Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686

JimC Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 17 May 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 6662	Post Options Post Reply Quote JimC Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 12 Jun 12 at 9:20am
	I don't see why a teenager should struggle to crew an Albacore. I would have thought you could have ratchet blocks and 2:1 sheets on the jib if needed. Launching might be more of an issue depending on your venue. If there's no logical craft that especially appeals to you then same as everyone else makes a lot of sense, but it must be something that will inspire you enough to get out of bed in the morning!

RS400atC Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 04 Dec 08 Online Status: Offline Posts: 3011	Post Options Post Reply Quote RS400atC Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 12 Jun 12 at 8:55am
	Nothing wrong with Ents as a boat to race inland. There is a lot to be said for buying into a class where you can ocassionally go and do an open meeting and see the world beyond your own club. Have you thought about a Merlin Rocket? For £1500 you might get a nice wooden boat that would be a lot of fun and allow the crew to learn a lot. Plenty of racing to do, and the class has a great regard for its older boats.