Single hander for over fifties

few

I've never sailed a Byte, sailed a Europe once, it was a very old and fairly neglected boat but if I loved it, delightful boat. I am at the top end of the weight range though and there are very few stiff masts and suitable sails around used.
I have no problem with capsize recovery in the Blaze, but I have had a lot of practice.....  

Nor have I sailed a Vortex but I wouldn't consider one for a small lake* but would for the sea. It is possible to be competitive on handicap in the Blaze but I doubt you could get close to the numbers in a Vortes on anything other than wide open spaces. I believe much of the development was done at Yorkshire Dales which is on a big exposed lake in the Yorkshire Dales, I wouldn't buy one for our lake as I believe trapezes are a liability on a small pond.

* Especially the assy version, I think the assy version came about because the Yorkshire Dales Vortex sailors decided it was underpowered offwind but I'm sure one of those guys will be along to correct me if that's not the case.

Edited by Sam.Spoons - 17 Jun 20 at 5:58pm

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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 Topic: Single hander for over fifties Posted: 17 Jun 20 at 5:48pm
	I've never sailed a Byte, sailed a Europe once, it was a very old and fairly neglected boat but if I loved it, delightful boat. I am at the top end of the weight range though and there are very few stiff masts and suitable sails around used. I have no problem with capsize recovery in the Blaze, but I have had a lot of practice..... Nor have I sailed a Vortex but I wouldn't consider one for a small lake* but would for the sea. It is possible to be competitive on handicap in the Blaze but I doubt you could get close to the numbers in a Vortes on anything other than wide open spaces. I believe much of the development was done at Yorkshire Dales which is on a big exposed lake in the Yorkshire Dales, I wouldn't buy one for our lake as I believe trapezes are a liability on a small pond. * Especially the assy version, I think the assy version came about because the Yorkshire Dales Vortex sailors decided it was underpowered offwind but I'm sure one of those guys will be along to correct me if that's not the case. Edited by Sam.Spoons - 17 Jun 20 at 5:58pm
	Spice 346 "Flat Broke" Blaze 671 "supersonic soap dish"

nickd Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 15 Jun 20 Location: Cambridgeshire Online Status: Offline Posts: 5	Post Options Post Reply Quote nickd Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 17 Jun 20 at 4:15pm
	NickM99 - I'm surprised also! I didn't put it on my list, primarily because Europes seem to be like hen's teeth within the UK, but if it wasn't for that I'd have been interested, and if anyone has anything to add I'm still interested to hear. Other surprises for me.. Nobody's said anything about Byte C2, and hardly anything re Vortex which I can see is a bit of an odd thing but it does look fun. My current thinking is that Blaze, as suggested by a few, looks like a good candidate. Neptune mentioned a good point about capsize recovery. Another thing that I find surprising having come back to this world of sailing after quite a gap, is that there are so few internet resources available to help people compare sailing dinghies. If I wanted to buy a new smartphone there are no end of reviews and comparison tables out there, but if you type "Byte C2 review" into YouTube, believe me, there's not much returned other than a random selection of videos, of which only one is close to being a review. I think there's a business opportunity for someone there! Anyway, I am very grateful to all who've replied for your helpful and friendly advice.

NickM99 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Posting king Joined: 26 Apr 14 Online Status: Offline Posts: 145	Post Options Post Reply Quote NickM99 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 17 Jun 20 at 3:57pm
	I'm surprised some of the Europe sailors on this forum haven't chipped in. It's another to consider.

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: 16 Jun 20 at 9:23pm
	I've found the Minisail the easiest to deal with in a capsize, apart from when I snapped the centreboard.
	Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686

Neptune Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 08 Jun 09 Location: Berkshire United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1314	Post Options Post Reply Quote Neptune Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 16 Jun 20 at 9:19pm
	What ever you have a sail in, have a practice capsize and see how you get on getting in from the water, depending on how unfit you think you are you’ll find some boats more of a pain than others.
	Musto Skiff and Solo sailor

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: 16 Jun 20 at 8:11pm
	I was very tempted by the Lightning 368 for exactly that reason when I was looking for a more 'inland friendly' boat for Leigh & Lowton (I raced an OK in my teens and still have a soft spot for them), I settled for a Supernova in the end and didn't get on with it at all. I realised that I enjoy sailing the Blaze so much, even inland, that I would rather live with the compromises.
	Spice 346 "Flat Broke" Blaze 671 "supersonic soap dish"

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: 16 Jun 20 at 7:04pm
	I believe there are Lightning 368s at Hunts, well worth a test sail. The rig has a similar feel to the OK.
	Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686

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: 16 Jun 20 at 5:56pm
	I'm going to be predictable and suggest what I sail (which I don't always do TBH) and say try a Blaze. No kite but a fairly big rig, perfectly sailable on a small lake but better on open water (I do both), fast but forgiving and an absolute hoot on the sea in big wind and waves. I'm 76kg, 5' 6" and 67 years old, like you not particularly fit or agile any more but I love the Blaze. It's definitely nice to have company though, since I bought mine we have three at my holiday club and 4 at the local inland club.
	Spice 346 "Flat Broke" Blaze 671 "supersonic soap dish"

tink Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 23 Jan 16 Location: North Hants Online Status: Offline Posts: 789	Post Options Post Reply Quote tink Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 16 Jun 20 at 5:41pm
	Streaker is a good boat for your requirements 73 kg is the ideal weight and if you’re inland being a bit under weight will be ok. Relatively light, and having a thwart comfortable in the light stuff. But as above find out what they sail.
	Tink https://tinkboats.com http://proasail.blogspot.com

nickd Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 15 Jun 20 Location: Cambridgeshire Online Status: Offline Posts: 5	Post Options Post Reply Quote nickd Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 16 Jun 20 at 4:57pm
	Many thanks Jim - all very good food for thought, and I especially like your idea of getting something that I can re-sell easily, which seems a wise suggestion given my current lack of certainty.