MX Ray or Laser

How much are you hoping to get for the Contender, as this could help narrow choices down a little.

Just remember that all hiking boats are going to be hard upwind, so you will have to live with that ( after getting used to just hanging there ) But the dificulty will of course change with the beam / sail area / cut.

Also, Look for a boat just above your budget, and negotiate. I managed to knock £200 off the price of my Vareo, putting it back into my budget again.

Originally posted by blaze720 A dog upwind for sure in any wind and (even) the more available 'veryslo' is better offwind if you must have a spinni.  *snip*

"VerySlo" eh .... Feels quite fast .. even with my flogged main, and my shredded, 2002, faded yellow spinaker


Back to the original question ...

Originally posted by hollandsd What would be the better boat to sail in heavy ish conditions in rough seas. Would the MX Ray be up to it?

The RS fleets proved they were up to the conditions at last years Nationals at Looe, with forct 5 winds and ( if i remember right ) 6+ ft waves.

I have only seen a `ray once, and the mast looked too bendy .... more like a windsurfer than a dinghy.

Have you had a look at the Supernova, or the RedEye Solution?

Go to the Dinghy show - Start of March at Alley-Palley, wander around, stop at the stands for any boat you like the look of.

Most of them will have some sheets with current 2nd hand boats for sale on them, as well as brochures you can read on the train home.

Stay away from the MX Ray though .... Looks like even harder work than the Vareo!

 11.5 stone too light for a Blaze ..... better not tell Tim D. or Simon Beddows then !  Yes towards the light end but still within the effective range as widely proven.  As ever the standard reply is always going to be TRY ONE yourself !   Lots give opinion without ever having sailed the boats they discuss (Yes I know Pauls got one as well) but fortunately with the Blaze its mostly technique that counts!

Anyway good luck with whatever you end up with - but I'd be cautious about the MX myself.  A dog upwind for sure in any wind and (even) the more available 'veryslo' is better offwind if you must have a spinni.  If you like pain and agony and larger fleets in a retro style then maybe the Laser as a fallback until you know what might be good longer term.  Most CA's are always willing to help - perhaps a cruise around the dinghy show is best advised......

Blaze 720

yeah you aint gonna get no thrill ride outta a laser dude!

Originally posted by hollandsd I would lik something mainly just for club racing on the heavy weather days as i will be competing in the International 14 on most days. i am just looking for a Thrill ride.

Wouldn't recommend a laser then