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.

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: 11 Feb 16 at 9:27pm
	Thanks Rich that's good to know. I'm currently trying to arrange test sails in an OK and Solution so watch this space
	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: 11 Feb 16 at 9:36pm
	Good to see you're going to give a Solution a go I've not sailed an OK it will be interesting to read how it compares. Edited by iGRF - 11 Feb 16 at 9:37pm
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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: 12 Feb 16 at 2:25pm
	I think it's going to come down to personal preference after sailing both, as it should. After a bit more research, on paper the Solution seems the best best - I am the right size, it's one design, I can get a newer boat for the money, but the turnouts at events are a bit on the low side. To be fair, that will only improve if people buy them and go to events... The OK on the other hand is a much stronger class both nationally and internationally, and although I will mainly be club racing it's still nice to have that as an option. I was pleasantly suprised to be offered a demo boat to use at an open by the Solution class, rather than a quick spin in someone's boat that I was expecting.
	RS600 1001

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: 23 Mar 16 at 12:32pm
	Just an update - the Enterprise has sold and I had a test sail in a Solution, really great boat. It powered up very well and was planing in about 8-10 knots. Very comfortable and nicely laid out. I did find it a bit strange upwind, unlike say a Laser where you sheet in block to block and feather it, this seem very much a footing boat. Although I could point high, the speed dropped right off compared with sailing a little freer, with the boom quite far out over the quarter. It was very easy to oversheet. I was so impressed I arranged to buy that particular boat and will be picking it up this weekend. I can see it being quite a weapon on our small lake. I discounted the OK in the end as I am not really big enough, plus there's the hassle of having to have the rig tailored to me. That and the fact that to get an Ok the same age and condition as the Solution, I would be spending twice as much
	RS600 1001

Rupert Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 11 Aug 04 Location: Whitefriars sc Online Status: Offline Posts: 8956	Post Options Post Reply Quote Rupert Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 23 Mar 16 at 7:53pm
	Congratulations! Getting a new boat is always exciting.
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mothlee Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 11 Mar 15 Online Status: Offline Posts: 28	Post Options Post Reply Quote mothlee Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 23 Mar 16 at 7:58pm
	It's the grf effect working again . Congrats think you have made a good choice. Anyways liked the look of the solution and if I had knees that worked I would consider one myself. Edited by mothlee - 24 Mar 16 at 1:04am

mangoman Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Groupie Joined: 09 Jul 09 Location: norfolk Online Status: Offline Posts: 69	Post Options Post Reply Quote mangoman Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 24 Mar 16 at 10:40am
	I will second that; I always liked the look of the Solution and have now had one for 2 years and just enjoy it more and more. Yes you are right, upwind foot off and let the main out to keep the boat flat seems to be fastest. Trying to outpoint Lasers that pinch up in the gusts does not work at all, just blast underneath them and you will get to the windward mark in front of them and with a big smile !

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: 24 Mar 16 at 10:57am
	I wish I could do that footing off, there's a guy down the lake Jack Turnbull when the winds up he'll launch just as the start gun goes, then proceed to pile through everyone in it. I've never sailed like that, as a lightweight I've only ever known stuffing it and tbh I can mano y mano outpoint a laser in lighter winds, but I have to sit way forward and then lean forward and twist my body upwind windsurfer style. I'm pleased you chose it, it's such an under estimated boat, they so screwed up it's marketing labelling it a lightweights phantom. Nobody considers the Solo as a lightweights anything and the Solution carrys more weight than a Solo. You need to spend some time messing with the adjustable forestay, working out how much depower when, and I find letting off the shrouds helps when you want to run by the lee yet keep the kicker on. Anyway hope you enjoy it, don't go winning too often the handicap was about where it needed to be until they moved the Laser again, you can have some good scratch racing in it against Lasers. Edited by iGRF - 24 Mar 16 at 10:58am
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mangoman Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Groupie Joined: 09 Jul 09 Location: norfolk Online Status: Offline Posts: 69	Post Options Post Reply Quote mangoman Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 24 Mar 16 at 2:41pm
	Yes we saw that Mr Turnbull's style at the Nationals this year !! He did good though. Maybe we can get a posse of Solutions at Wilsonian's Medway regatta this year ?