What boat?

How heavy are you? I've seen light people struggle to right an inverted 2000 (and 2000's love to invert, just like most modern boats - they all have too much buoyancy, probably to satisfy stupid regulations or to make them cheap to build with simple deck mouldings). I hate to think how much worse the situation would be you're the only adult with small children floating about in the water.

With a Wayfarer, it's less likely to capsize in the first place and, so long as it doesn't have a double bottom, it will lay on its side till you right it (and my puny 10 stone suffices for that). OK, it will then take ages to bail - starting with a bucket - but if you're not racing hard, who cares? You'll be in control. I suspect a GP would be similar unless the newer ones have buoyancy arrangements that make them invert.

Originally posted by carshalton fc yer i teach people how to sail in the vision and they are stable but not as stable as the 2000 and the 2000 fits all your needs!!  the 2000 is much faster than the vision and you could fit the trapeze option on to the 2000!!  it really depends if u want to sail with the association or if you just want fun or club raceing!!

GP14 all the way. Some lovely boats for sale, n wooden ones are easier to mend than plastic ones... also bags of room, spinny isn't that hard, n they are nice racing as well, n u don't need a new boat for racing either.

I don't think there is much difference in room withina GP14 and a Laser 2000.  Being heavier the GP is less responsive and will feel more stable - but that is about the only advantage of weight.  Foresail sheet loads are high in the GP and its a bitch to pull up the ramp or beach.  The spinnaker is complex compared with the asymmetric of the 2000.  Don't buy a wooden GP unless you love maintenance, but an old glass GP will be much cheaper than a 2000.  For me it would have to be a 2000 every time but there may be some special quality in the GP which suits you and makes the difference (for instance it may be what they sail at your local club).  I suspect a GP will be faster in drifting conditions, in all other conditions the 2000 will thrash it but if you're going to sail with novice wife and a todler this is hardly a consideration.

Been continuing my search - what are your thoughts on the RS vision - looks like it does it all - big and stable enough for family, but added safety of outboard option for cruising, and a bit of performance for sailing with mates, gennaker, trapeze options. Does anyone have any experience of this boat - looks like it might be a bit more fun (especially for me!) than the wayfarer type option.