Newbie sailor

   Hi, new to sailing and new to this forum so please forgive my lack of sailing knowledge.
I don't mind admitting I was inspired to learn to sail by watching Sir Ben Ainslie in the Olympics. I would have imagined I'm not the only one either.

My wife and I passed our level 1 and 2 last September at Rutland water in a laser stratos. An amazing three days of fun. One of the days was, in my opinion, very windy and the thrill of the two of us and the instructor all leaning out was something I'll never forget.

Sadly due to work we've not been out on the water since but now we are in a position to join the sailing club at Rutland and purchase a boat.

Looking at some of the previous posts one thing seems to be common. People want something they can sail solo as well as taking the family out. I'm now different.

I had set my heart on an enterprise as a first dinghy but now realise it would be too heavy for me to manage on my own.

One boat that crops up a lot in peoples suggestions is the solo and as I have a woefully low budget this seems to be a good choice for a newbie.

Seems the consensus on these though is to avoid the grp ones, why is this?

Any other suggestions as to which dinghy would be a good choice would be greatly appreciated. Racing is something I may consider way in the future but not now. All I want to do is gain experience, explore rutland with my family and sometimes sail on my own.

Thanks

P.s I'm 6ft and 13 stone

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Dannyboy Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 29 Aug 13 Online Status: Offline Posts: 6	Post Options Post Reply Quote Dannyboy Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Newbie sailor Posted: 30 Aug 13 at 3:50pm
	Hi, new to sailing and new to this forum so please forgive my lack of sailing knowledge. I don't mind admitting I was inspired to learn to sail by watching Sir Ben Ainslie in the Olympics. I would have imagined I'm not the only one either. My wife and I passed our level 1 and 2 last September at Rutland water in a laser stratos. An amazing three days of fun. One of the days was, in my opinion, very windy and the thrill of the two of us and the instructor all leaning out was something I'll never forget. Sadly due to work we've not been out on the water since but now we are in a position to join the sailing club at Rutland and purchase a boat. Looking at some of the previous posts one thing seems to be common. People want something they can sail solo as well as taking the family out. I'm now different. I had set my heart on an enterprise as a first dinghy but now realise it would be too heavy for me to manage on my own. One boat that crops up a lot in peoples suggestions is the solo and as I have a woefully low budget this seems to be a good choice for a newbie. Seems the consensus on these though is to avoid the grp ones, why is this? Any other suggestions as to which dinghy would be a good choice would be greatly appreciated. Racing is something I may consider way in the future but not now. All I want to do is gain experience, explore rutland with my family and sometimes sail on my own. Thanks P.s I'm 6ft and 13 stone

yellowwelly Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 24 May 13 Online Status: Offline Posts: 2003	Post Options Post Reply Quote yellowwelly Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 30 Aug 13 at 3:58pm
	Hi, I sail a Solo and whilst I'm fond enough of it, it wouldn't be my choice unless I was racing it against other Solos. The reason people say to avoid the (old) GRP ones is that they were quite heavy, quite soft and generally could be beyond a serviceable condition - certainly for any racing. The alternative is an old wooden boat. This is probably more serviceable and good example will still be competitive at club level with a bit of modernisation- a decent sail will be at least £500 though, coupled with good-knows how much maintenance and repair work. Before you commit, I would really suggest seeing if you can get a ride on a Laser- a cheap laser will hold its value and cost you nothing in the scheme of things. You can get a reasonable laser for £1000, and some are down at £500- that represents a lot more boat for your money, and a lot less maintenance than an old Solo.

ajbaldwin Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Groupie Joined: 09 Oct 12 Online Status: Offline Posts: 51	Post Options Post Reply Quote ajbaldwin Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 30 Aug 13 at 4:13pm
	why don't you do both? If you are a complete beginner then you could buy a Enterprise as a family boat and then pick up a cheap Laser, if you are new to single sailing it wont matter if you buy a cheap (under 500 quid) Laser to blast about in and work on your single handed skills. At your weight\ height you would be ok in a full rig laser. This question has been asked a fair few times and there really are not to many boats out there that can take a family, then be sailed single handed especially by a beginner
	Yorkshire Dales SC Vareo 505

ajbaldwin Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Groupie Joined: 09 Oct 12 Online Status: Offline Posts: 51	Post Options Post Reply Quote ajbaldwin Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 30 Aug 13 at 4:25pm
	Also Rutlands is a big club so I would also look into what club boats they have to hire to members. It may well be worth spending a couple of months sailing whatever club boats they have to see what you like, practice a little to get your skills up then purchase something? just a thought.
	Yorkshire Dales SC Vareo 505

NickA Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 30 Mar 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 784	Post Options Post Reply Quote NickA Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 30 Aug 13 at 10:31pm
	Did you want to sail two up at all? If so, a laser or a solo would be a bad decision. Whereas a dedicated single hander will be cramped and dull for two; almost any double hander can be single handed if it's not too windy. You could manage an Enterprise alone at your size. Laser 2000s are a kind of modern version of an enterprise with a kite for when you get more confident. Laser 2s are cheap as chips and single handable up to F2 and a bit (after which you need to learn trapezing) and Miracles are well spoken of - but maybe a bit small as you're 6'3". Plastic boats like the RS Vision might also fit the bill if outright performance isn't an issue (but avoid the Vago - it's wobbly and quite hard to sail despite being a bit slow).
	Javelin 558 Contender 2574

Dannyboy Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 29 Aug 13 Online Status: Offline Posts: 6	Post Options Post Reply Quote Dannyboy Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 31 Aug 13 at 3:04pm
	Thanks for all the replies. My intention is to hire a pico for the next few months to re-learn the stuff I did on the course before committing myself to buying a dinghy. I have been looking at the laser2's on Apollo duck and there are a good few that will be within my budget. If this can be sailed singlehanded and also sailed with my wife then it seems a good choice. Dan

RichTea Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 22 Jan 13 Online Status: Offline Posts: 207	Post Options Post Reply Quote RichTea Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 31 Aug 13 at 8:08pm
	Laser 2 single handed, if say no, not as your first boat. The mast will meet the water a lot. I'd go for the pico option, be aware that in light winds it won't be a comfy sail. The Laser is a good bet, don't worry about getting the latest XD kit, a bonus if available but not essential. I'd say keep up sailing for this year, try different boats, and enjoy it.
	RS200

andymck Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 15 Dec 06 Location: Stamford Online Status: Offline Posts: 397	Post Options Post Reply Quote andymck Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 31 Aug 13 at 9:57pm
	Dan. Don't buy anything yet. Come down to the club. The laser fleet is large and mixed ability and the class captain was in your position a few years ago. There will be boats you can borrow. Then if a two person boat appeals then there are also a few options. There are a lot of laser 2000's about at the moment. And before anyone starts putting them down we have a couple of top class sailors who have gone down that path. My advice is always to not buy till you have had chance to see what goes on in your club. I hated lasers but am now the proud regular racer in one at Rutland. Andy
	Andy Mck

Dannyboy Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 29 Aug 13 Online Status: Offline Posts: 6	Post Options Post Reply Quote Dannyboy Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 01 Sep 13 at 10:35am
	Thanks Andy I've decided to probably spend as much time as I can in a pico so I'm happy I can do the basics. Then next spring think about a purchase. Andy, excuse my ignorance, when you say laser are you referring to the 1 man single handed type? Just get a bit confused with all the different classes of lasers. What ever I purchase it would need to accommodate 2 as my wife is keen to sail with me. Dan

andymck Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 15 Dec 06 Location: Stamford Online Status: Offline Posts: 397	Post Options Post Reply Quote andymck Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 01 Sep 13 at 12:39pm
	Yes. The single handed type was what I was referring to. This was due to the mention of a solo further up. The double handed options are wide as well. There are club boats and also the sailing school boats that can be borrowed or hired. There are a few people enjoying rotamoulded boats. The laser2000 which has also become popular. The bottom line is to come down and see what is being sailed in your price range and type.
	Andy Mck