Playboat

is

   Hi All

I am looking for a boat to chuck on the roof to take to France this summer to sail on the lakes we are staying at.  Cannot tow as have the caravan.  I have been offered a Topper Taz very cheap and I know it will fit my 11 and 14 year olds but not having actually seen one in flesh will I be able to sail it at 5'11 and 85kg?  I won't be racing or expecting much just a bit fun.

Thanks in advance

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StupidStu Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 01 Mar 20 Online Status: Offline Posts: 4	Post Options Post Reply Quote StupidStu Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Playboat Posted: 01 Mar 20 at 9:01pm
	Hi All I am looking for a boat to chuck on the roof to take to France this summer to sail on the lakes we are staying at. Cannot tow as have the caravan. I have been offered a Topper Taz very cheap and I know it will fit my 11 and 14 year olds but not having actually seen one in flesh will I be able to sail it at 5'11 and 85kg? I won't be racing or expecting much just a bit fun. Thanks in advance

423zero Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 08 Jan 15 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 3420	Post Options Post Reply Quote 423zero Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 01 Mar 20 at 9:24pm
	Topper Taz is very small, Optimist size, for children.
	Robert

Sam.Spoons Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 07 Mar 12 Location: Manchester UK Online Status: Offline Posts: 3401	Post Options Post Reply Quote Sam.Spoons Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 01 Mar 20 at 11:24pm
	Better with a Topper, still a bit small for 85kg but doable and cheap. Should be much better for you than a Taz though.
	Spice 346 "Flat Broke" Blaze 671 "supersonic soap dish"

ColPrice2002 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 25 Nov 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 222	Post Options Post Reply Quote ColPrice2002 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 02 Mar 20 at 8:33am
	Having sailed the Taz at our sail training centre - several times - I reckon you'll be ok until you need to tube or tack... I'm 5'8", and you require the ability to crouch low to miss the boom... Alternatively, Dr a pair of kneepads! The other thing I noticed is that the Taz is quite heavy for its size (like most rotomoulded hulls). Topper a reasonable suggestion - another is (depending on car load ability) an old laser or minisail. Is there's possibility of buying a budget dinghy near your campsite? Colin

StupidStu Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 01 Mar 20 Online Status: Offline Posts: 4	Post Options Post Reply Quote StupidStu Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 02 Mar 20 at 8:36am
	Thanks for replies I may try and keep my eye out for a Pico or Topaz. Also saw a Byte don't know much about those.

Sam.Spoons Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 07 Mar 12 Location: Manchester UK Online Status: Offline Posts: 3401	Post Options Post Reply Quote Sam.Spoons Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 02 Mar 20 at 11:00am
	Topaz is a good boat for a 'normal sized' adult to sail singlehanded or even two up but, realistically, needs two adults to get it on the roof, and it may well exceed the roof weight for many cars. Topper is a fair bit lighter and it is possible to get it on and off the roof on your own. Edited by Sam.Spoons - 02 Mar 20 at 11:01am
	Spice 346 "Flat Broke" Blaze 671 "supersonic soap dish"

StupidStu Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 01 Mar 20 Online Status: Offline Posts: 4	Post Options Post Reply Quote StupidStu Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 02 Mar 20 at 11:02am
	Tar. Will never be in my own so should be OK. Topaz is 60kg. My bars are 75kg and roof is 100kg. So should be fine. Had a Topper before and too cramped.

Sam.Spoons Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 07 Mar 12 Location: Manchester UK Online Status: Offline Posts: 3401	Post Options Post Reply Quote Sam.Spoons Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 02 Mar 20 at 11:14am
	Fair enough. Good choice then, my windsurfing pal taught himself to sail boats in one.
	Spice 346 "Flat Broke" Blaze 671 "supersonic soap dish"

JimC Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 17 May 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 6662	Post Options Post Reply Quote JimC Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 02 Mar 20 at 12:51pm
	If you found the Topper cramped the Taz would be impossible... Bytes are more of a mainstream racing boat, being glass fibre with all the relevant pros and cons. Kinda like a short Laser.

snowleopard Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Groupie Joined: 02 Oct 17 Location: Cornwall Online Status: Offline Posts: 66	Post Options Post Reply Quote snowleopard Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 11 Mar 20 at 5:39pm
	Important consideration if you haven't done this before: France requires all visiting boats to be registered. The only exceptions are 'engins de plage' i.e. beach toys. It was for this reason the SSR or Part 3 registry was introduced. The procedure is pretty simple but costs £35 and has to be renewed every 5 years. No measuring required, just fill in a form. Link: https://www.gov.uk/register-a-boat/the-uk-ship-register
	One hull good, two hulls better.