My turn

   It turns out Winging It got the cheap 2000    .  Will just keep my eyes peeled and go for something that looks suitable, I have decided the actual class doesn't really matter

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Guests Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Guest Group	Post Options Post Reply Quote Guests Quote Reply Topic: My turn Posted: 21 Feb 13 at 7:20pm
	It turns out Winging It got the cheap 2000 . Will just keep my eyes peeled and go for something that looks suitable, I have decided the actual class doesn't really matter

Lukepiewalker Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 24 May 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1341	Post Options Post Reply Quote Lukepiewalker Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 21 Feb 13 at 6:57pm
	indestructable... impossible to repair... it's a fine line...
	Ex-Finn GBR533 "Pie Hard" Ex-National 12 3253 "Seawitch" Ex-National 12 2961 "Curved Air" Ex-Mirror 59096 "Voodoo Chile"

EmmyC Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 30 Oct 10 Location: Berkshire Online Status: Offline Posts: 39	Post Options Post Reply Quote EmmyC Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 21 Feb 13 at 12:07pm
	I grew up sailing Topazes. The Uno would be great for the kids to sail together or you could opt for the Tres rig with the stayed mast and trapeze if you (or the kids) wanted a bit more performance. The hulls are big, comfortable and extremely forgiving as they are made of rotomoulded plastic. I would go as far a saying they're nearly indestructible. With a variety of sail options, there's something for everybody)

robin34024 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Posting king Joined: 03 Jan 12 Location: Lincoln Online Status: Offline Posts: 116	Post Options Post Reply Quote robin34024 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 18 Feb 13 at 7:10pm
	have you considered an enterprise? The older grp ones can be found very cheap, and will require no maintenance, or newer frp ones are competitive, but expensive. they are a proper boat which you sit in rather than on, and they are quite stable, and not too overpowering. when i was about 7, my dad used to take me out in his along with a friend.

sargesail Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 14 Jan 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1459	Post Options Post Reply Quote sargesail Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 05 Feb 13 at 8:09pm
	On balance though - the 2K. Side seats make steering easier for them. And the huge bins in the foredeck are an absolute boon with all the extra gear to carry for the kids.

ifoxwell Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 05 Jan 06 Location: Hoo Online Status: Offline Posts: 669	Post Options Post Reply Quote ifoxwell Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 05 Feb 13 at 10:00am
	+1 And dont read to much in not being at the Dinghy show. If your just wanting a boat to single hand, sail with the kids then it is the perfect boat for the job. What's it matter if it doesn't have a healthy open circuit or a large organisation to man a stand. The Grad is one of those "best kept secret" kind of boat. Its great at what it does and as such it will never just die out... and the class association is as friendly and enthusiastic as they come. I've had a couple of Grads over the years and although we dont own one now I'm still a class member and will get another in a year or two to sail with my daughter... or even better if I can find the time build myself one. Ian
	RS300

sargesail Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 14 Jan 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1459	Post Options Post Reply Quote sargesail Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 04 Feb 13 at 9:40pm
	I grew up in Grads and always thought that was where we would start the kids. We fell into 2Ks through no cost access to one. I agree the Grad is a very good option.

craiggo Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 01 Apr 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1810	Post Options Post Reply Quote craiggo Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 04 Feb 13 at 9:32pm
	Peaky, I sail my Graduate with my daughter. We competed in our club week last summer when she was only 4 1/2 and she could operate the jib to the point where I only needed to help her squeeze the last couple of inches of sheet in. She can uncleat the jib and pull it in on the other tack and cleat it. She'll be 5 this friday and is looking forward to the coming season. Locally there are a few of us Grad sailors what with Russ up at Tewkesbury.

sargesail Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 14 Jan 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1459	Post Options Post Reply Quote sargesail Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 04 Feb 13 at 9:17pm
	Peaky, Our kids are 5 and 7. We got our own 2K autumn before last, and as well as being our (wife and I's) racing chariot we also cruise Chi Harbour in it 4 up, picnics at East Head and all that. We had our first sail 31 Oct 11, and we haven't looked back. The kids play the sheet, and especially enjoy the kite (fight for it! Occasional gybes to share the wealth required). They would not be able to get the jib in hard enough in a F3-4 but they can do enough to pass me the slack when required. Continuous sheets help, and they are very able to lean on it to cleat. So I'd say the 2K is a great option for you. Yes it's not light on shore - but you have to compromise somewhere. The cockpit, thwart and case shape works well and lets them wander around. Sailing 4 up the leeward child can get pretty wet from spray whenclose reaching - it's not somewhere you'd be as an adult. I anticipate that both will be able to see to steer now....it was a struggle for Johnny as a 4 year old (and August baby to boot). We have spent on suitable gear for them and this is key: they loved trying on their aquafleeces. The limiting factor is merely their bladders (too close to potty training to be comfortable letting go in a wetsuit!) - we have done some 2 hour + sails round the islands at Abersoch in a good breeze (naughty snacks, seals and dolphins keep them busy). And we club raced in Chi Harbour the day of lat year's Glyn Charles. They loved catching the Blaze on the last beat! Matt

Guests Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Guest Group	Post Options Post Reply Quote Guests Quote Reply Posted: 04 Feb 13 at 7:49pm
	Will a 5/7 year old be able to pull the jib sheet on a 2000? I think I'm beginning to realise that I am not clear in my mind whether I expect the boys just to sit as passengers or take a (small) active role in things.