59er v rs400

Originally posted by redback Do you think it would carry my nearly 14 stone (88kg) at the back?

It certainly copes with my 95kg at the back. But I do have to remember to get my 95kg arse forwards as the wind dies. I haven't sailed a 59er but the 400 was hardwork hiking in a blow. Where as on the B14 you can raise the board to make it behave as the wind increases. A real joy to sail.

The B14 will come in a lot cheaper than a 59er - I doubt you can pick a secondhand one of those for less than about 5k, given they've only been around a couple of years.

I don't think 14 stone in the back of a B14 would be a problem -  I think my 10 stone at the back of one is probably more of a problem for my crew because he has to hike harder! Also because helm and crew have equal righting moment, you can just sail with a slightly smaller crew to end up with the same overall weight.

B14 costs: pick a new boat, that is perfectly capable of winning races, for around 2500 to 3000, if I can, than so can anyone!!, Brand new full suit of sails for around 1500, but the top guys are always selling sails off after about a season for around half that, and being mylar, and the kites are in a bag not chute all the sails last for ages.  In fact the current world champion, tim Fells is doing that now, get in quick if you can.  B14s are built very solidly and so take no more maintanance than any other properly built GRP boat.  Because its light the loads on the rig (and crew for that matter) are lower than many other boats, as a result gear is on less of a strain and so lasts longer.  The booms and racks have been strenghtened since the original design and are now almost indestructable.  If you are interested, PM me, or put a note on the class message board at www.b14.org

Originally posted by redback I'm sure the B14 is a lovely boat and lasts very well but a new mainsail or spinnaker could be a bit pricey for a 14 year old.

I think that applies for any class of boat - for what you get, B14 sails are relatively cheap. A full suit is about £400 more than a full suit of Fireball sails, and for that you get a lot more sails for your money, particularly when looking at the spinnaker......

 

Tbh, your a bit off with your comment on the B14, it doesnt require much maintenance really, like ALL boats, it just takes looking after and it will last a very long time, and having sailed one, i can safely say that it is an amazing boat to sail, up and off the wind.