Omega feedback

I've had my Omega since July 2004, and I've found it an absolute joy to sail. It's an awful lot lighter and more responsive than the Wayfarers I've sailed in the past. However, although you couldn't describe it as tippy, it's not as stable as a Wayfarer. That said, I've only capsized it once, and that was when there was only me in the boat with a full upwind sailplan. On that occasion, there was no problem in recovering it on my own due to the masthead bouancy. If you are going to go out in an Omega on your own in >F4 conditions, it's best to keep the roller reefing line to hand!

With one or more crew to hang on the side, or put on the trapeze wire, you're able to make use of the full sailplan. The boat really takes on a totally different character when it's up on the plane. It always leaves me with a big smile.

As far as build quality goes, I've had no problems. It was one of the driving factors in my choice of boat - I'm very bad with my hands and have a rather stressful job, so I liked the idea of owning a boat that was low maintenance and which would leave my weekends free for sailing rather than mending. In fact, so far the only breakage was when I put a large rent in the gennaker because I hadn't been consciencious enough in my taping of the metal fittings. It was easily repaired though. As I write, I'm looking out into my back garden where the frost is still clinging to the boat cover. Can't wait to get out on the water again once our dinghy park has been rolled for the year.

Stuart Blair
Omega 3256 (isdoo)

The omega is the biggest lump of sh*t ever to have sails put on it! Basic sail controls and a huge  rig with big sheet loads and a pathetic kite means it is a complete waste of time!!

i sailed it and the rig fell down, lesson, do not take omegas out in a F9, they cant take it, we had 4 lads, one trapezeing and the whole lot came down!

A F6/7 (and certainly F9) are not the conditions to evaluate a boat like this.

If you overload an already heavy boat is it any wonder the rig broke, jeez I've lost the rig in a Lark because we were trying to reach the water out after a capsize in F6 and that was with 2 (admittedly heavyish) of us on board!

You could try being a little more helpful - or not say anything.

Mmmm interesting..............possibly !

I sail/race all year in various boats but this one is for the purpose of cruising on the East Coast rivers, (I'm not looking to go racing in it....just have some enjoyable sailing with my young family) none of my boats sit in the boat park and are always sailed. Like the thought of somebody sailing a dinghy in a F9 (exageration or what !) and as stated above if you overload the rig on any boat it will go.

The main thing I am interested in is how it performs for general sailing (F9 will send most blue water yachts heading for cover if they have any sense !)

Anyway thanks everyone for your thoughts