single hander for heavyweight

Originally posted by bigum Contender (slow/obscure)

OK a Contender sailor had to respond to this.

A Contender is not slow - PY is 994 compared to 1048 for a Phantom.

A Contender is not obscure - it has an open meeting circuit consisting of one open every two weeks with average attendance of 27. It has a National Championship with an average attendance in the 50+ bracket. It also holds World and European Championships with 100+ entrants every year. Need I say more.

Then your budget will get you a boat with full carbon rig - there is one for sale on Y&Y at the moment. Check out http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/classes/?s=42&c=12

I know it is a little out of budget but you may be a ble to get it knocked down a bit - that is if it is still available.

Last thing is where do you sail? Are there any Contenders close to where you are so that you can have a go.

what catmandoo said; although I want a little more that 2.5K

Edited by Scooby_simon

Haven't sailed a Vortex or RS300, but in my experience (and I'm around 100kg too) you're probably too heavy for a Blaze, great boats for the money though.

Phantom is an obvious one. Takes weight well, wide range of boats and prices around, though as you've identified £2.5k isn't going to buy you a "current spec" boat (ie epoxy hull/carbon rig). You might get a decent wood or polyester hull with modern rig for your budget, which I suspect would get you nearer the front of the fleet than a similar amount spent on a Finn. 

thanks for the reply but the finn seems to attract people with real money. I have looked at the finn web site and for my money I would be getting a 1970's boat which I assume would be no where near competative ( evan if sailed by an expert ie not me! )

Why would a finn be better for me than a Phantom which is cheaper and less populated by supermen ?

 

 

 

Help! After many years crewing in yacht races I have rediscovered the joy of dinghy racing.  I have spent the last two years racing in an elderly firefly and now wish to invest in a new class and have a go at open meetings, championships etc before I get too old.

 

My problem is that I weigh 15 ½ stone ( 100kg ) on a good day and single handers all seem to be designed for  much lighter frames.

 

I have looked seriously at Vortex, Blaze, RS300 but weight seems to be the problem.

 

Possible solutions are RS700 (too expensive / difficult), Contender (slow/obscure), Phantom (affordable entry level but expensive to be competitive) or OK (bit weird?)

 

All suggestion welcome apart from “diet” or “look at what they sail at your club”, I’ve tried both.

 

Last thing, budget £2500 max.

 

Fingers crossed …..