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Which single hander
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kneewrecker View Drop Down
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Posts: 1586 		Post Options Post Options   Quote kneewrecker Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Which single hander
    Posted: 18 Aug 14 at 1:56pm
Hi Patrick,

Sounds like the Supernova ought to be etching higher up your list then- it has a high boom and a reasonable freeboard for a singlehander.

It's not the 'coolest' boat on your list, but it just might be the one that offers you the most fun, and fun in comfort.  I'd avoid the Vareo and 100 though- they are spinnakered boats, they probably won't be well catered for at the clubs you are looking at (windward / leeward racing) and they offer zero respite from hiking.  

A conventional unarig will at least let you rest your back downwind- try to avoid unarigs which promote a lot of crouching in the bottom when sailing downwind- the one that springs to mind here is the Phantom.  At 95kg you are bang on the right weight for one inland, but it's a highly physical and involves some discomfort downwind kneeling in the bottom of the boat.  Look for a boat which enables you to perch gracefully on the side- the Supernova is ideal for gentlemen's perching!

At 95kg you'll have more than enough righting moment to get the best out of it too.

Have fun,

Jimbo
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fleaberto View Drop Down
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Posts: 302 		Post Options Post Options   Quote fleaberto Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Aug 14 at 4:48pm
If the clubs you mentioned allow them, how about a cat? .... I had a Dart 15 once and loved it. Fast, stable and if you get one with the full 'sport' kit you'll get trapeze and furling jib to use as your skill levels climb - and no boom.

A fairly late number Supernova has a good amount of adjustability in terms of raking mast etc and would be a good shout I reckon...or a phantom?
Lightning368 'All the Gear' (409), Lightning368 'Sprite' (101), Laser (big number) 'Yellow Jack', RS Vareo (432)'The Golden Rays'
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Time Lord View Drop Down
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Posts: 301 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Time Lord Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Aug 14 at 6:14pm
Phantom has a lowish boom which is a nono with your back problem and as said above there is a tendency for the helm to kneel downwind - this would do my back.

Think about seeing if anyone at either of the clubs is looking for a crew as a starter but avoid heavy boats eg GP14/Wayfarer as your back will not appreciate hauling up slipway. I sail a Merlin for this same reason and so that I can stretch out my legs rather than have to sit with legs curled up as is the case in sit upon boats.

Does either club have club boats you can loan/hire?
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RichTea View Drop Down
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Posts: 207 		Post Options Post Options   Quote RichTea Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Aug 14 at 8:34pm
Locally I think Cats are only possible at Datchet.

To add another boat into the mix, what about an RS Q'ba. Its a plastic boat but has a deep cockpit.
The issue with your initial request, there is no decent single and/or double hander available.

I sail just inside the M25, we have a number of club boats available, that may be a better way to try thing out.

RS200
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SUGmeister View Drop Down
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Posts: 265 		Post Options Post Options   Quote SUGmeister Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Aug 14 at 10:31pm
Think the K1 has a pretty deep cockpit...
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NickA View Drop Down
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Posts: 784 		Post Options Post Options   Quote NickA Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Aug 14 at 8:25pm
K-1 = newish design of boat => >3k£

The supernova class is growing a-pace; I was in the maker (Hartley)'s boat shed the other day and they are cranking them out against a waiting list.  Also the new Mk 2s being lighter and nicer, the original Mk 1s are presumably at a good price .... but do check the side decks (the bit you sit on) for solidity as some of the original boats have cracked and sagged under their owners' rears.  Seems like a good boat as less powerful and cheaper than a Phantom and so much nicer than a Laser ... and SO much more fun than a Solo.

PS: my single hander of choice, (with the original intent of double AND single handing it, at a weight of 80kg), is a V3000 as owned by Mr Medway himself ... but I think he disapproves of my frequent lack of crew ;¬).   There are plenty of Laser 3000s around for under £3k which are the same but slower; more fun than a miracle and more double hander friendly than any pure single hander; however, you need to trapeze to make the most of it, which does save your back, and there isn't much space inside if you don't trapeze.


Edited by NickA - 19 Aug 14 at 8:35pm
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Assassin View Drop Down
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Posts: 25 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Assassin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Aug 14 at 11:57am
Well done on your research.

I have sailed the Laser for over 30 years all around the World and it has been brilliant but am constantly looking for a replacement. The world finally has one now with the Aero but I understand your price dilemma. I can't wait to get my new one.
I agree with you regarding the boom on the laser, for the un- initiated, it can be extremely scary to get stuck under it during a tack and subsequent capsize.
However there is a quick fix and is becoming popular here in AUS. Simple have the foot recut trimming 8 inches (200mm) off the clew.
It hardly effects performance unless you plan to race at a high level and it makes the boat very user friendly in all sailing maneuvers. Very comforting during those gybes knowing the boom and your head has a little more clearance.
You then have a price friendly pile of fun. Good luck.

Cheers. Tongue
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kneewrecker View Drop Down
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Posts: 1586 		Post Options Post Options   Quote kneewrecker Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Aug 14 at 12:06pm
Originally posted by Assassin

However there is a quick fix and is becoming popular here in AUS. Simple have the foot recut trimming 8 inches (200mm) off the clew.
It hardly effects performance unless you plan to race at a high level and it makes the boat very user friendly in all sailing maneuvers. Very comforting during those gybes knowing the boom and your head has a little more clearance.
You then have a price friendly pile of fun. Good luck.

Cheers. Tongue

That sounds interesting, you could also try this with a standard rig.... you need to make sure your cunningham has a long enough tail (and outhaul too, if using XD kit)






Edited by kneewrecker - 20 Aug 14 at 12:06pm
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PATRICKCR View Drop Down
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Posts: 9 		Post Options Post Options   Quote PATRICKCR Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Aug 14 at 2:47pm
Hi All,

Thanks for the further advice , I definitely feel posting here has been really helpful.

Interesting about the phantom TimeLord ..one of the guys at work has one on a trolley parked outside his house and has offered to give me a tour... so will pay attention to that when he shows me later this week.

I started investigating the rental idea as well and I now have two sessions booked up on some topaz's which will give me exposure to yet another boat and get me in the water....I'll continue to rent sessions until I find a boat to make sure I don't lose what I've just learnt...it isn't expensive either.

Love the idea of a keeled dinghy ...that could be great fun but even the second hand ones on apolloduck are apprx. 6K :(

There are also supernovas around 1500 upwards , I've read there isn't a great deal of difference between the MK1 and MK2 so I will try to get a boat in good condition with good sails ...I'm sure I don't have the skill yet to exploit any benefit a newer boat would bring so I'm not fussed about getting the latest boat just for the sake of it.

And actually re-cutting the clew on a laser could be a solution so I will get an idea of costs for that as well.

Patrick
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ajbaldwin View Drop Down
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Posts: 51 		Post Options Post Options   Quote ajbaldwin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Aug 14 at 3:56pm
 I was in the same position as you a couple of years ago and went for the second hand Vareo which does have the sloping boom etc and it a blast down wind with the Assy.  I also found it to be a pretty forgiving boat and has helped my sailing.  My one criticism is that it is quite hard work up wind and you do need to hike quite hard

one to consider 

 
Yorkshire Dales SC
Vareo 505
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