One boat or two???

   I was an early promoter of 2000's at WSC, but having watched one of our best sailors go out single-handed in a 2k and then be unable to recover it from a capsize (happens to the best of us) on his own, I wouldn't want to recommend anyone to take kids cruising in a 2k without close rescue cover.
A old GP14 would take a while to bail out, but you'd get there eventually. 

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Medway Maniac Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 13 May 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 2788	Post Options Post Reply Quote Medway Maniac Report Post Quote Reply Topic: One boat or two??? Posted: 05 Apr 12 at 9:51am
	I was an early promoter of 2000's at WSC, but having watched one of our best sailors go out single-handed in a 2k and then be unable to recover it from a capsize (happens to the best of us) on his own, I wouldn't want to recommend anyone to take kids cruising in a 2k without close rescue cover. A old GP14 would take a while to bail out, but you'd get there eventually.
	Wilsonian SC 3000 Class

alstorer Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 02 Aug 07 Location: Cambridge Online Status: Offline Posts: 2899	Post Options Post Reply Quote alstorer Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 05 Apr 12 at 7:01am
	Hold off on making boat buying decisions until you've done the courses!
	-_ Al

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: 04 Apr 12 at 10:16pm
	Quite a few clubs these days have club boats available for rental by the day. Might be a better option for the rest of the family than a dodgy compromise.

kevg Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Posting king Joined: 13 Dec 05 Location: Wrexham Online Status: Offline Posts: 120	Post Options Post Reply Quote kevg Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 04 Apr 12 at 10:15pm
	Both GP14 and Laser 2000 would be ideal choices for a family boat. I'm biased toward the 2000 being a 2000 owner and preferring the ease of an asymetric boat. The 2000 fleet has numerous parent and child combinations. 2000s can easily be sailed short or single handed. We have a number of 2000s at Bala if you want to pop over, send me a Private Message.

NickM Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 27 May 09 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 328	Post Options Post Reply Quote NickM Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 04 Apr 12 at 10:10pm
	Steve, There are too many variables to give you a sensible answer. What is your budget? Where would you keep a cruiser (at what cost?) Will you want to get into racing? You may not know how much your wife and daughter enjoy sailing (or not!) until they have been out a few times. Will the the girls get worried when the boat heels a bit or look forward to the fun (?) of trying to right it when it capsizes? In a couple of years, will your son (or daughter) want their own boats to race with their mates? I suggest you start with a single, reasonably stable cruisable dinghy like a GP14, Wanderer, Laser 2000 or Laser Stratos and see how the family interest in sailing develops. Then you can move to a boat (or boats) that match the family aspirations.

Seasick Steve Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 01 Apr 12 Location: N. Wales Online Status: Offline Posts: 20	Post Options Post Reply Quote Seasick Steve Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 04 Apr 12 at 9:27pm
	Hi, I am doing my RYA 1 & 2 this spring with no previous sailing experience, I was hoping to get a new dinghy this summer for Anglesey, sheltered coastal water around red wharf bay, My son (11) is also having lessons, could anyone please point me in the right direction for a dinghy that me and my son can sail and I can manage alone, also my wife and daughter (8) may want to come occasionally for a bit of cruising I am not sure whether a to go for something like gp14 or Laser 2000 to try to suit above or is this too much of a compromise and would 2 boats be better, 1 x light sporty for me and Son and a stable cruiser for family Any advise or suggestions would be greatly appreciated Thanks Steve