Doublehander

   Hi All,
Quick question if I may.  I'm contemplating (this is not definite by any means) buying a cheap and cheerful doublehander to sail occasionally and was wondering what would be a good choice.  The following points are relevant:

I sail a singlehander regularly so this is occasional!
I would be looking to sail with my wife, who is really a non-sailor, so it needs to be sensible, easy-to-learn and not too tippy.  A kite is optional but definitely not necessary.
I would sail it at Frensham, so it would only be for racing.  There's no point having anything too quick or complicated.  Neither should it be painfully slow (I'm thinking Mirror here...).
It would have to be a stealth buy (i.e. "You wouldn't believe it darling, there was someone giving away this very nice and amazingly cheap boat - do you feel like a sail some time?!") so I'm looking for something that can be picked up really cheaply for a vaguely competitive club racer.
At the moment I'm thinking about: Ent, GP, Grad, Miracle.  Because it's usually relatively calm at Frensham I probably wouldn't rule out something a little more rapid, though.  I would also prefer it if it was something with an OK class association just in case she decides it's fun!
Advice appreciated!
Thanks,
Scully

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scullyman Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Groupie Joined: 23 May 08 Online Status: Offline Posts: 51	Post Options Post Reply Quote scullyman Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Doublehander Posted: 04 Aug 08 at 10:24am
	Hi All, Quick question if I may. I'm contemplating (this is not definite by any means) buying a cheap and cheerful doublehander to sail occasionally and was wondering what would be a good choice. The following points are relevant: I sail a singlehander regularly so this is occasional! I would be looking to sail with my wife, who is really a non-sailor, so it needs to be sensible, easy-to-learn and not too tippy. A kite is optional but definitely not necessary. I would sail it at Frensham, so it would only be for racing. There's no point having anything too quick or complicated. Neither should it be painfully slow (I'm thinking Mirror here...). It would have to be a stealth buy (i.e. "You wouldn't believe it darling, there was someone giving away this very nice and amazingly cheap boat - do you feel like a sail some time?!") so I'm looking for something that can be picked up really cheaply for a vaguely competitive club racer. At the moment I'm thinking about: Ent, GP, Grad, Miracle. Because it's usually relatively calm at Frensham I probably wouldn't rule out something a little more rapid, though. I would also prefer it if it was something with an OK class association just in case she decides it's fun! Advice appreciated! Thanks, Scully

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: 04 Aug 08 at 10:42am
	Is the Ent fleet still strong at Frensham? If so, I'd have thought it ideal for what you want, and very quick in the light stuff.
	Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686

scullyman Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Groupie Joined: 23 May 08 Online Status: Offline Posts: 51	Post Options Post Reply Quote scullyman Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 04 Aug 08 at 10:52am
	Not as strong as it used to be, I'm told. Five out yesterday. Roger and Nick still sail there but Roger's more likely to be seen in a 2 and Nick is sporadic.

pondscum Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Groupie Joined: 06 Nov 07 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 99	Post Options Post Reply Quote pondscum Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 04 Aug 08 at 8:53pm
	Frensham calm! you wait Do you want sail a single hander (what is it) at FPSC the same day? The classes at Frensham are set up so that if you have a Laser and want to sail the double hander the same day, you want a GP or Fast Handicap (RS200/Lark). Same thing appllies to the OKs in theory (which now race with the Ents in theory but I have not seen any one class racing for a year). Nick Craig does do the occasional Weds Handicap in his OK (one wonderful race I was in front of him on the water with my 8.1...). You could have a slow double hander and sail it in the slow handicap (Solo speed or less), but you might not get a berth if it is not a 'favoured boat' (one I have mentioned). Frensham is a Cadet club, so a Mirror might not be the best idea! If you want a Solo or a fast handicap single hander (e.g. Phantom - the club has one on loan at present), then you can have an Ent. You can't have a trapeze boat or one bigger than 16 foot (would get stuck between jetties). The Ents and FH have about the same turnout. There are some good sailors with 200's who don't sail them very often at FPSC but you could trounce us in the 200 as we are overweight and rubbish. You could probably pick up a Lark cheaper than a 200 so it would probably best fit the 'accidental' purchase. HTH. Colin Hammond FPSC Laser Class Captain Laser 164399 "Yet More Trouble"/Rooster 8.1 220/RS 200 1259 "JuJu" Edited by pondscum

scullyman Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Groupie Joined: 23 May 08 Online Status: Offline Posts: 51	Post Options Post Reply Quote scullyman Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 05 Aug 08 at 3:25pm
	Interesting idea, James... not sure I can put myself through that again, though! There are no other Laser 2s out at Frensham, and what would I do about handicap? I'm still chortling at Colin's Frensham calm comment, particularly given Wednesday's debacle - and am waiting with eager anticipation for it to blow! Although I did dunk it to windward up the beat in about 3 knots on Sunday. (Helpful post though, thanks.) I think a Lark might be a possibility but I think they're a little tippier than I was looking for.

Thunderchild Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Groupie Joined: 03 Nov 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 44	Post Options Post Reply Quote Thunderchild Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 22 Aug 08 at 9:05pm
	always try an old merlin or a gp14. always go for peanuts
	Currently TBC! Previously Flying Dutchman K220 Int Moth K3822 Magnum 5 1961 5o5 Parker built K1305 Phantom K99 Europe K156 Unicorn K1065 Dart 18 5o5 Laser K5450 Enterp