New Dinghy but what. Help.

Morning Gentleman,

I've just joined as I'm looking for people's thoughts and some help.

I am looking for something to take my not very confident wife out in and teach her to sail. I currently have a Dart Hawk myself and she won't go near it as she doesn't like the look of the wire on the fact that you're always perched on it.
So I'm looking for a hiking boat strangely enough she doesn't mind the look of wings or racks and has to have some good performance or she'll get board quick. Not really that difficult to find something given that criteria but what is stumping me is she wants something that's safe for us to take the little one out on.

Thanks in advance.
Canoeslicer.

RS400?

I'm lucky that I have 2 clubs within 15 miles of me. The closest is on the sea and the other a big emergency cooling pond. Between the 2 of them there is everything from mirrors, 505, osprey, b14, rs200, rs 400, 420, laser 2 to 49er and a load of cats mostly dart 18.
I'm 15 stone the other half is around 9.5.

I'd thought about rs 400 but what do people think about the open transom and a little one?

2000 or a Wayfarer?  Ladies seem to take to those classes in my experience.  They're mostly not looking to prove anything, unlike we males.  They're both actually quite nice to helm.

Originally posted by kneewrecker Originally posted by iGRF RS400? sailed one?  Not for the feint hearted mate.... it's a powerful boat, a lovely one at that.

Yes, my chum/work colleague has one, sails it with his wife and I've noticed other man woman partnerships work well in it, I didn't think it was that difficult, it's a bit heavy lumbering it about but then most boats are too bloody heavy as we all know. The OP did say she might get bored and Dave sails his with his Mrs, and if he gets his daughter up front they can beat us in the Alto at times. (She's a windsurfer so has natural feel for the kite.).

So I stand by my recommendation quickest way to put folk off is to terminally bore them with something like a laser 2000 or that Vision God help them.. RS400 and get that kite up, she'll love it.

Edited by iGRF - 29 May 14 at 12:47pm