Phantom / Vareo

I'm looking for a boat for a slightly portly chap (15st) to sail on a restricted piece of water.  Having looked through and stuff I think I'm down to the Vareo or Phantom.  The Phantom will be better for sailing round the cans and theres a good north west circuit to play on, price wise its about £4k for a reasonable one.  The Vareo is however slightly cheaper (£3k) but won't do as well on restricted water, benefit being it gives me something to do offwind and to have a bit of fun when not racing.I was leaning heavily towards the Phantom but went to Bassenthwaite over the weekend and saw the vareos playing in a bit of wind and this made me think twice.  Just wondering whether anyone else has a tupence they'd like to throw in?

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MattHarris Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Groupie Joined: 03 Oct 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 94	Post Options Post Reply Quote MattHarris Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Phantom / Vareo Posted: 29 Aug 12 at 1:59pm
	I'm looking for a boat for a slightly portly chap (15st) to sail on a restricted piece of water. Having looked through and stuff I think I'm down to the Vareo or Phantom. The Phantom will be better for sailing round the cans and theres a good north west circuit to play on, price wise its about £4k for a reasonable one. The Vareo is however slightly cheaper (£3k) but won't do as well on restricted water, benefit being it gives me something to do offwind and to have a bit of fun when not racing. I was leaning heavily towards the Phantom but went to Bassenthwaite over the weekend and saw the vareos playing in a bit of wind and this made me think twice. Just wondering whether anyone else has a tupence they'd like to throw in?
	Phantom 1175 - Alice http://www.thelostpenguin.co.uk

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: 29 Aug 12 at 3:01pm
	The Vareos get walloped by the Phantoms every race at our club. This could be to do with sailing standards, though. Loved sailing the Vareo at Minorca Sailing, but then there is lots of space to bear away into in the gusts. At 15 stone, this will be less of a problem, as you'll be able to hold it in higher winds.
	Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686

BBSCFaithfull Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 06 Dec 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1251	Post Options Post Reply Quote BBSCFaithfull Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 29 Aug 12 at 3:11pm
	Having sailed both several times. The Phantom is the obvious choice. Depends what you want out of racing and if you are bothered about the kite.
	Greatfully Sponsored By www.allgoodfun.com Int 14 GBR 1503!!

gordon1277 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 24 Mar 10 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 665	Post Options Post Reply Quote gordon1277 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 29 Aug 12 at 3:14pm
	Hi a chap at our club a bit lighter than me so similar weight to you sold his Phantom to buy a vareo and finds it is so slow and wont point upwind compared to the Phantom that he very rarely can compete and that is on the Solent. I know the original spinnaker was designed for windward leeward racing and suffers on general club courses, but they have since made a flatter version. Last year we at Lee had an official RS VAREO event and 4 boats turned up, against 13 phantoms. If you want to race and do opens Phantom, blast about for fun RS vareo a great boat. Biased but my opinion is of course correct! Good luck whatever you choose.
	Gordon Lossc

gbr940 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Posting king Joined: 04 Jan 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 198	Post Options Post Reply Quote gbr940 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 29 Aug 12 at 3:20pm
	Phantom...easy!
	RS400 GBR1321

skslr Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Posting king Joined: 24 Jul 06 Location: Germany Online Status: Offline Posts: 139	Post Options Post Reply Quote skslr Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 29 Aug 12 at 3:38pm
	No experience on a Phantom, but for just having fun the Vareo is great, even on restricted water. It might not accelerate to 20 knots, it even might be not faster around a course than a Laser depending on conditions. Which actually helps with restricted waters... But when it planes with the kite up hiking out and being so close to the water gives you a really fun sensation compared to heeling conventional singlehanders to windward while slowly going downwind. I also like the cockpit layout, but that is again rather in comparison to a Laser...

pondmonkey Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 12 Aug 11 Online Status: Offline Posts: 2202	Post Options Post Reply Quote pondmonkey Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 29 Aug 12 at 4:04pm
	Owned both- given your restricted water note, go for the Phantom. Another measure... How many of each at the club? Go for the bigger number.... Fleet racing, even a mini fleet inside a PY race will be better than sodding around against a spreadsheet and a some bloke with a stopwatch.

Moppo Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 11 Nov 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 30	Post Options Post Reply Quote Moppo Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 29 Aug 12 at 4:16pm
	Respect the Vareo... I'd go for the Phantom: Vareo always seems like a compromise, and whilst I have been utterly whipped by one on the water (being sailed properly) I just don't think it's as good a boat as the Phantom.
	B14 694

blaze720 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 28 Sep 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1635	Post Options Post Reply Quote blaze720 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 29 Aug 12 at 5:02pm
	If we can't persuade you to look towards a Blaze (with or without Halo rig) .. well the only worthwhile option on your list has simply got to be the Phantom ! No comparison really and no need to list the pro's and con's - don't need too ... just try the options and see what you think yourself. Mike L. Edited by blaze720 - 29 Aug 12 at 5:02pm

Roger Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 23 Mar 04 Location: Somerset Online Status: Offline Posts: 524	Post Options Post Reply Quote Roger Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 29 Aug 12 at 5:37pm
	Another vote for the Phantom, 15st ideal weight for a restricted water, great fun boat that will give you plenty to do offwind if you want to get the best from it, as you say great circuit and if looked after the boat will hold its value well.