Trapeze+Asymmetric for lightweights

The 3000 - Laser or Vandercraft - will be a far more enjoyable experience than the 405. But, if you want a route into the RYA 29er squads (wash my mouth out), then the 405 circuit is, unfortunately, still the way to go, assuming you are still young enough. At 14, though, I think you've probably left it a bit late.

Edited by dontdocalm!

Whats wrong witht he one someone has offered you, how many 3000's do you need??

TBH mate, if you want a 9er get one. But make sure your crew knows you will get wet while you learn. Whats the point in buying a L3000/ 405 (or anything else) if after a year you are going to sell it. Buy the 9er and get used to the boat. Although you might not realise it in the first year, a few years down the line the extra time in the boat will really help you. When its really windy all but the top guys p1ss it in (I'v been rescue boat for the nats). There are a few other 14/15 year olds on the circuit so its not too early.

This is only going to work if you accept you both have a lot of learning to do and that it will take time and practise.

No offense Tony, I would promote my class in exactly the same way you are, its just my PERSONAL opinion.

Originally posted by tomoore1 TBH mate, if you want a 9er get one. But make sure your crew knows you will get wet while you learn. Whats the point in buying a L3000/ 405 (or anything else) if after a year you are going to sell it. Buy the 9er and get used to the boat. Although you might not realise it in the first year, a few years down the line the extra time in the boat will really help you. When its really windy all but the top guys p1ss it in (I'v been rescue boat for the nats). There are a few other 14/15 year olds on the circuit so its not too early. This is only going to work if you accept you both have a lot of learning to do and that it will take time and practise. No offense Tony, I would promote my class in exactly the same way you are, its just my PERSONAL opinion.

Thing is whist you are getting wet you are not learning anything, apart
from good capsize recovery. When you know you are going to capsize all
the time it dampens ( pun intended ) the whole desire to go out and
seriously limits the amount of wind you are prepared to sail in. Reducing
the amount of time sailing, learning and skills building opportunities .
And most importantly constant capsizing destroys confidence and may
end in disagreements, and the brake down of the sailing relationship.

Get a L3000 or V3000, get things sorted and if you want to move over to
the 29er ( and that that brings, decide after the basics are all honed ).

The reason i sail an 3k not a 29er is because I don't want to spend most of my sailing time thinking about keeping the boat upright. 29ers are tippy. I also don't want to sail a youth boat! The 3k class is much more relaxed, if much smaller.

In your position, Nick, I'd try the 29er in a reasonable wind before jumping in buying. You can also try a 3k; if you're not Olympic hopefuls, you might decide to stay with it anyway.