Moving on...

i think it looks sexy boats and the sailors

 

 

Lewis...!

Pop quiz about your home club:

Since when does a couple of rs800s that only go out once per series constitute a club fleet!!???

Which club fleet that you missed off your list regularly has bigger turnouts than any other two handed class at Starcross, had the biggest open meeting in 2004 (34 boats) and would be ideal for your size?!

You got it, National 12, 15 boats in the club and increasing.  Regular 5-8 boats out in club racing.  Probably the only club class you'll realistically be able to sail when you come out of Mirrors.  Very active at club level and a lot of us do the open circuit so can assist in advice and logistics there.  South west has a great series and there are quite a lot of teen helms in the area (and the only two teenage helms sailing in two handers in the club winter series are both in 12s).  Come and talk to me at the club about it and I'll sort you out a test sail if you're interested.

Tim

I would agree that Lewis has got the skills to go down the youth squad route (having seen him sail)  however if his parents don't want him to go down that route then there's little point in getting some other random two handed boat when the 12 fleet's a logical local option....

Anyway Harry if you've already got a 12 why did you need to pose the question of a two handed boat post topper.  The 12 fits all the criteria that you listed in your original email quite happily and if you've 7000 quid to spend you could buy an up to date 12 secondhand and a singlehander....

Sounds like a fair plan, although again looking at your budget you could probably try have both a 29er and an oldish 420 and see which you're doing better in after a year?

Certainly can't help you on the kite front (although as you point out if you stay on Redesmere that'll be a bit redundant anyway...). 

However you don't have to sail the 12 with aft main (its a development class... ), quite a number of people in the fleet now sheet off the boom 29er style and seem to go alright...  Try tying an extra block on the boom and see how you go. What sort of 12 do you have?

T

Consulting the bible (aka class handbook) :

Its a Tigress, built in 1981 by Bob Hoare, name allegedly 'Rhoobarb'.  Not really that old then (my first one was 3007 ( a Cheshire Cat, forerunner of the Tiger and Tigress, did the circuit and nats in it too), good boat for Redesmere.

T