Lightweights 2 Man Boat

   Merlin Rocket .. and just dont use the kite?

Gives you the chance, on light wind days, to introduce him to spinakers.

And of course, if its windy and he is busy or cant sail for some reason, you can "recruit" a crew for the day and go for a flat out blast!  

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Villan Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 26 Nov 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1768	Post Options Post Reply Quote Villan Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Lightweights 2 Man Boat Posted: 26 May 08 at 10:33pm
	Merlin Rocket .. and just dont use the kite? Gives you the chance, on light wind days, to introduce him to spinakers. And of course, if its windy and he is busy or cant sail for some reason, you can "recruit" a crew for the day and go for a flat out blast!
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redback Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 16 Mar 04 Location: Tunbridge Wells Online Status: Offline Posts: 1502	Post Options Post Reply Quote redback Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 26 May 08 at 11:13pm
	Find a club you like first and then buy a boat that they sail.

Wes Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Groupie Joined: 24 Aug 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 97	Post Options Post Reply Quote Wes Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 26 May 08 at 11:18pm
	RS200? Obviously he may be a little small for the kite at the moment, but quite frankly in a year he may well be bigger than you! Made for smaller people, a good laugh and the best 2 person fleet in the country. Worth a go? Oh, and some of the best crews in the county are 19st all up, but still competative at 23st.

mouseclix Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 01 Dec 04 Online Status: Offline Posts: 6	Post Options Post Reply Quote mouseclix Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 27 May 08 at 12:19am
	I'd second the "find a club first" idea, but the boat's gotta be a 12! You're more than welcome to choose a nice day and try out my old boat, that also happens to be for sale, at Island Barn Reservoir. Maybe that will kill 2 birds with one stone. Check out the class website at www.national12.org Mike N3491 N3274 EPS 115

Chew my RS Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 05 Oct 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 790	Post Options Post Reply Quote Chew my RS Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 27 May 08 at 9:00am
	What about a NS14? Great for parent/child teams as it is well proportioned, has no kite, is very light, has small sails and is simple to sail but still fast. They handle beautifully and are very rewarding, and are a quantum leap forward in design from Ents, Graduates etc.
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winging it Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 22 Mar 07 Online Status: Offline Posts: 3958	Post Options Post Reply Quote winging it Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 27 May 08 at 9:12am
	redback and mouseclix are right - find your club first. Also, I'd be inclined to go for a smaller club rather than the larger ones simply because they have a real family feel to them, Everyone can get involved in the social scene, so no one resents half the family disappearing off for a sail. Big reservoirs can be quite daunting to small, non sailors whereas the smaller gravel pits are often quite sheltered. Think about moving up once your son is more confident. There are plenty to choose from, not overly dedicated to racing and usually a lot cheaper too. Boat wise I'd have a look at something family friendly like a comet duo. (Puts on fireproof suit and prepares for blasting) Edited by winging it
	the same, but different...

Jack Sparrow Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 08 Feb 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 2965	Post Options Post Reply Quote Jack Sparrow Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 27 May 08 at 12:40pm
	Depends on your budget. £6k ish I'd get an NS14. If you are looking for a cheap club boat £600 > £1500 I'd be going for a N12 something like a Tigress or Design 8. Could also look at a Mirror. Sail it with your son until he gets the idea and then hook him up with another kid at your club. And then get something for yourself. In between? Maybe look at a FEVA. Obviously there is a big contrast in performance with these boats so you'll have to figure that in too. FEVA may be a good compromise. For me it would be the NS14 every time.
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alstorer Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 02 Aug 07 Location: Cambridge Online Status: Offline Posts: 2899	Post Options Post Reply Quote alstorer Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 27 May 08 at 12:43pm
	On the "find a club front" (enagage recruitment mode) If you're in North/East london, can I suggest King George SC, on the Lea valley? We're one of the smaller, friendlier clubs, but with a a decent sized patch of water. Unfortunately, however, joining us wouldn't solve your boat choice dilemma easily, as the only single-class fleet we have is Solos. For other boats, we run two handicap fleets, Fast and Slow, with the cut-off at about PY 1000 (with some caveats). If you fancy coming for a look, Sundays are best. It's advisable to arrange in advance with an existing mebmber, as we've a big security fence round the site with a gate that has to be kept locked- which does mean the boat park is pretty safe. PM me if you're interested. (exit recruitment mode) I wouldn't rule out spinnaker boats so readily. One of the things about assymetrics is that they are dead easy to start on. As said, the 200s have plenty of "family" teams sailing them- similarly with the Laser 2000 (which is perhaps a bit more stable a boat). You don't always have to use the kite, certainly not till the lad's a bit more confident- or in light winds, you can play it.

NickA Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 30 Mar 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 784	Post Options Post Reply Quote NickA Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 27 May 08 at 1:20pm
	Dont rule out kites (not asymetric ones anyway) or even trapezes. Having a kite makes light air sailing sooo much more fun and trapezes are less hard than they look, lots of fun when you work it and allow light people to carry more sail power. You'd soon be bored in a mirror. A feva would be fun for a while (tiny kite). You'd manage a laser 2000 in a light wind, or on a beam reach in a stronger one (sailed one in F4/5 with my son when he was 8 - but we couldn't head up wind!) but you might have trouble pulling it out of the water (oooh so heavvvy). But an RS200 is a real bet (though a bit wobbly perhaps) and a National 12 is similar if you want something more unique - but be careful there are many different designs and some are harder to sail than others. If you feel up to a trapeze (and my kids did from age 9 up), the 3000 is good value and sailable by hiking-only, up to F2/3. Original laser hulls (£1500 and up) can now be upgraded with more modern sails and controls - or even with a new lightweight hull: www.3000class.org.uk for info and test sails.
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HannahJ Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 23 Jul 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 861	Post Options Post Reply Quote HannahJ Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 27 May 08 at 1:24pm
	If you're near-ish north west london, then may I introduce the Welsh Harp? (blatant plug). It's all fleet racing so there's loads of people for advice etc. Classes at the various different clubs include: GP14, Firefly, Mirror, Merlin Rocket/MRX, RS200. I'd suggest the Firefly or Mirror - in wind there's no WAY you'd get bored in a Mirror! Also great for young-uns (or not so young raises hand) to sail with friends once they've got the hang of it.
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