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What boat to buy
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Rubydog View Drop Down
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    Posted: 04 Sep 15 at 9:18am
Hi All

I have reciently joined a sailing club based on a lake and lovin it.

I have been advised to use a laser as im quite a big bloke (6ft and 17 stone)The problem is alot of the time i go the lasers are either out of there are bits missing so i have decieded to get my own boat.

Would a laser be the best of is there something else that would work given my size and weight.

Looking for something to have fun with and possibly race.I can store it at the club so transport is not really an issue however ideally something that i could transport on a roofrack.

My budget is max £1000

Amy odeas and advise greatly appriciated
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MattTrinder View Drop Down
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Posts: 27 		Post Options Post Options   Quote MattTrinder Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Sep 15 at 9:59am
Phantom or Supernova at your size would be the usual recommendations.

What other single handers are sailed and raced at your club ?
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JimC View Drop Down
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There are plenty of other choices, but given your specific requirements and situation a Laser is going to be as good as any and better than most.
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MerlinMags View Drop Down
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Posts: 589 		Post Options Post Options   Quote MerlinMags Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Sep 15 at 10:21am
If you are racing (instead of cruising around) then it is usually more fun competing with others who have the same type of boat. Are there any other 'fleets' at your club?
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jeffers View Drop Down
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At 17 stone you will struggle inland in a Laser unless it is blowing. Options are:

1) Phantom - you can get an older GRP or wooden boat but these are not (usually) competitive nationally as the epoxy boats are in a different league (the exceptions being the Chapman or Claridge hulls if they have been looked after and have a carbon rig).

2) You can probably pick up a Mk1 Supernova in your budget but do be aware that the current Mk2a boats are some 15-20kg lighter than (most) of the Mk1 hulls. Also the Mk 1 hulls are not self draining. Aside from that the sail, mast and hull shape are the same.

3) A Laser and then buy an 8.1 rig from Rooster (or secondhand). This will give you the benefit of sailing a Laser as part of a fleet (as most clubs have a Laser fleet still) and having the choice of chucking a bigger sail up when the wind is light to have a bit more fun.

As people have said above you are better off sailing something that others at your club are sailing (at least while you are learning) as people can offer hints and tips to help.


Edited by jeffers - 04 Sep 15 at 10:33am
Paul
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jeffers View Drop Down
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Chapman Phantom for sale here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/dinghies/permalink/909938325712280/
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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: 05 Sep 15 at 7:57pm
Originally posted by JimC

There are plenty of other choices, but given your specific requirements and situation a Laser is going to be as good as any and better than most.


With respect- have you tried sailing a Laser at 17 stone? I have, I wouldn't recommend it. Now at 13 stone I'm fine, but 17 just stops it dead!! For a grand I'd say an older Phantom or classic Finn id still going to be good for the money.
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JimC View Drop Down
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Posts: 6662 		Post Options Post Options   Quote JimC Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Sep 15 at 9:35pm
With respect, have you tried roof racking an older Phantom or a classic Finn? Its a first boat, not a marriage. A cheap Laser for a year will do nicely to progress to the next stage where our man will be more concerned and informed about the subtleties of individual classes.
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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: 06 Sep 15 at 10:06pm
Assuming he makes it to the next step after such an unsatisfactory rung on the ownership ladder....

Edited by kneewrecker - 06 Sep 15 at 10:08pm
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rb_stretch View Drop Down
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Posts: 742 		Post Options Post Options   Quote rb_stretch Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Sep 15 at 10:27am
Originally posted by kneewrecker

Assuming he makes it to the next step after such an unsatisfactory rung on the ownership ladder....

There is something in that. Although I would ordinarily agree that a popular boat to buy and sell is a good way to inform someone of what is right for them, KW's point was what delayed my entry into hiking dinghy sailing. 

Basically I borrowed a friends Laser and the generally poor quality fittings, tiny cockpit, uncomfortable to the point of pain, hiking and the general lack of performance (ie. feel & handling rather than speed) when you are too big for a Laser kept me in windsurfers for a few extra years.

When I eventually took the plunge to get into hiking singlehanders it was with a cheap Solo and although the low boom, centreboard case was a real pain, the overall experience was much better than a Laser. The problem is that Solos hold their value so may need a larger investment initially, but of course you will get that back when you sell.

However, if you have to fork out £2k+ for a decent Solo, I would be tempted to jump straight to a Phantom which is one of the very few genuine options at that size/weight (along with the much heavier Finn, which by all accounts is a lovely boat).

In the end, I would just get on with what is easily available and popular at the club.
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