Laser or OK or...?

   Jamie

The OK is much much nicer to sail than the Laser and a very interesting class.

All of the boats are slightly different and, as mentioned above, you can get a rig tailored to your weight.

You would be on the light side but,if not sailing on the sea/in waves, it would be fine.

The max optimum helm weight is far more than you have indicated - there are 100kg + sailors doing well (using stiff rigs). The hull seems well suited to carrying weight variations.

They are not currently great handicap boats - in most conditions its very difficult to beat Lasers on the water even though they are now sailing off a similar PY.

Nick C said somewhere that they really are more like well sailed Solo pace. However, in the right conditions they go very well.

Upwind they are a lovely boat to sail.

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rich96 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 20 Jan 05 Online Status: Offline Posts: 596	Post Options Post Reply Quote rich96 Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Laser or OK or...? Posted: 11 Feb 16 at 11:33am
	Jamie The OK is much much nicer to sail than the Laser and a very interesting class. All of the boats are slightly different and, as mentioned above, you can get a rig tailored to your weight. You would be on the light side but,if not sailing on the sea/in waves, it would be fine. The max optimum helm weight is far more than you have indicated - there are 100kg + sailors doing well (using stiff rigs). The hull seems well suited to carrying weight variations. They are not currently great handicap boats - in most conditions its very difficult to beat Lasers on the water even though they are now sailing off a similar PY. Nick C said somewhere that they really are more like well sailed Solo pace. However, in the right conditions they go very well. Upwind they are a lovely boat to sail.

Ardea Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Groupie Joined: 06 Oct 15 Online Status: Offline Posts: 70	Post Options Post Reply Quote Ardea Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 09 Feb 16 at 12:37pm
	You might just get a plastic Streaker, but you'd probably have to wait until one came up. Supernova - you're a little on the light side for, but not by much and they are a bit faster. You can get a lot of boat for your budget.

Jamie600 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 14 Jun 05 Online Status: Offline Posts: 718	Post Options Post Reply Quote Jamie600 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 09 Feb 16 at 12:02pm
	I'll be on a small lake 99% of the time, and I don't mind working hard upwind. The OK site reckons the optimum weight range is 70 - 90kg so although I'd be at the bottom end of the scale, it's on a par with where I was in the RS300.
	RS600 1001

bustinben Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 15 Oct 06 Online Status: Offline Posts: 288	Post Options Post Reply Quote bustinben Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 09 Feb 16 at 10:31am
	Are you sure you'll be heavy enough for an OK? They seem to be sailed by quite large people... at 74kg and 5'9 you might even struggle to be competitive in a laser in over 12 knots.

Jamie600 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 14 Jun 05 Online Status: Offline Posts: 718	Post Options Post Reply Quote Jamie600 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 08 Feb 16 at 8:45pm
	Thanks Steve and Craiggo, all sounds good and certainly more interesting than a Laser. I don't mind if it's an older boat as long as it's still reasonably competitive. I did actually have one as my first boat when I was about 13, it was bought by my dad purely because he knew someone selling one, it was totally unsuitable as I can't have been more than 10 stone wet through! I'm based in Retford, Notts Craiggo
	RS600 1001

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: 08 Feb 16 at 7:43pm
	Having recently procured an OK, I think they are excellent boats. The new boats are very nice and the boat Steve had a go in is very quick. I find upwind fine, the problem is that you have to be very aggresive downwind. Just sitting in the bottom relaxing is not quick. Suprisingly 2.5k doesnt buy you a very new boat as they hold their value incredibly well but for that money you should be able to find either an all glass boat or a composite. Boats tend to be bought and sold independently to the rigs as rigs are built to bend numbers based on your weight and sailing style. A good 2nd hand mast can be had for £500-800 and 2nd hand sails to match from £200. Hulls are very strong hence why they retain prices and used boats are few and far between. Where are you based Jamie600?
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Steve411 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 09 Sep 08 Location: Cheddar, Somerset, England Online Status: Offline Posts: 705	Post Options Post Reply Quote Steve411 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 08 Feb 16 at 4:05pm
	Hi Jamie, OKs are not built of wood any more. Epoxy mostly these days. I had a go in a new one last year - very tweaky, hard work upwind (may get better with more than an hour's practice!). I quite liked it. The one I borrowed at the club is very well sailed and normally does OK on handicap.
	Steve B RS300 411 RS300 page

iGRF Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 07 Mar 11 Location: Hythe Online Status: Offline Posts: 6499	Post Options Post Reply Quote iGRF Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 08 Feb 16 at 2:55pm
	Can't say I've ever studied or sailed one but I guess if you ask folk will tell you they're OK I crack myself up.. getting the coat now.
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Jamie600 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 14 Jun 05 Online Status: Offline Posts: 718	Post Options Post Reply Quote Jamie600 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 08 Feb 16 at 2:28pm
	Solution is a good shout - thanks I'm with you on the anti-wood thing, but OK's are available in glass or composite as well so still on the shortlist
	RS600 1001

iGRF Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 07 Mar 11 Location: Hythe Online Status: Offline Posts: 6499	Post Options Post Reply Quote iGRF Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 08 Feb 16 at 2:19pm
	OK, I shall just have to be predictable and suggest you'd be better off with a Solution, you'd find a good one at that budget and a more enjoyable sail I've yet to experience, with the possible exception of a D Zero. OK'S aren't they made of wood? And we all know that well known phrase, oft ignored in dinghy world.. 'Wood is no Good' or as my dear old mum would put it, "Nothing good ever came from Wood' Edited by iGRF - 08 Feb 16 at 2:21pm
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