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RS Q'ba |
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Captain Morgan 
Far too distracted from work 
Joined: 03 Sep 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 211 |
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 Topic: RS Q'baPosted: 21 Nov 08 at 2:26pm |
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skslr, In answer to your questions:- Car topping vs. trailering: I'm not a fan of car topping. I/we have lifted Lasers onto racks/car roof racks and that's difficult enough! There is always the danger that the hull or car will be damaged - and let's face it, lifting a hull to the required height is hard enough with 2-3 people. ALL of the parts of the Q'BA will fit beneath the cover, though it would be a good idea to secure them. (The mast is in two parts that is easily dismantled, and can be stored under the cover with the halyard still connected.) The big sail (in it's bag) will lie comfortably under the cover. Trailering would be my preferred option. Strong winds of Force 5-6 are exceptional fun! The Q'BA really shifts even when using the small sail in a Force 5, though it isn't as competitive as a two-person dinghy. Force 5-6+, and the small sail becomes competitive, simply as other dinghies are depowering/spilling wind and/or capsizing! The Q'BA points really high when the sail is pulled tight, and offwind in these conditions it really is immense fun. The pressure is much more controllable than in other boats, and it is a case of going along for the ride - Lots of fun, speed, spray etc. but for a lot less effort Rotomoulding vs GRP... Difficult issue here. You'll find so many threads against "plastic" boats in these forums, but there are also lots of us who do actually like rotomoulded dinghies. All I can say is that it depends on the design, and also whether you actually like the boat, if you can get over the plastic stigma Personally, the Q'BA doesn't suffer from being plastic. It is short, so flexing is less of a problem. Even if it was rigid GRP, it wouldn't be appreciably faster because of the design and waterline length. The sides are nicely rounded so that hiking is very comfortable, which is a great advantage, and there are no awkwardly placed stiffening ribs in these areas which might lead to discomfort. Hope this helps. |
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alikat1
Newbie 
Joined: 15 Apr 09 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1 |
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Posted: 15 Apr 09 at 10:07am |
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Considering buying either a Qb'a or a Feva for my 2 daughters (aged 13 and 11, both weighing around 40 -45kg) and new to sailing. Was looking for a boat which they could manage , enjoy and deal relatively easily with a capsize. Having looked at the specs of both boats ,comparing the 'basic' models there doesnt seem to be much in it. The Feva offers more scope for progression . The QBa sounds a slightly simpler version. Does anyone have any views on pro's and con's of the 2 boats. What reasons would you have for opting for the Qba rather than the Feva? Views welcomed
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Medway Maniac
Really should get out more 
Joined: 13 May 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 2788 |
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Posted: 15 Apr 09 at 12:04pm |
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You might also consider a Cadet, Alikat. I was looking at possibilities for my godson and his brothers - we wanted a boat which would keep two crew-members busy rather than in effect a singlehander with room for two. I was struck by how much sail area a Feva has - we've found in our club training that it needs a fair bit of crew-weight in a wind. The Cadet seems to have smaller sails than other viable two-man (child) boats, yet genuinely has role for two persons. Usefully lighter for them to manhandle ashore, too. GRP versions are pretty robust-looking, but cheap ones are also rare. |
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Lukepiewalker
Really should get out more
Joined: 24 May 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1341 |
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Posted: 15 Apr 09 at 12:17pm |
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I would discount the Q'Ba as you really want a proper doublehander.
Always worth looking at a Mirror too. |
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Ex-Finn GBR533 "Pie Hard"
Ex-National 12 3253 "Seawitch" Ex-National 12 2961 "Curved Air" Ex-Mirror 59096 "Voodoo Chile" |
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ChrisJ
Far too distracted from work
Joined: 07 May 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 337 |
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Posted: 15 Apr 09 at 12:35pm |
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Kids like to sail with other kids! The "social" side is as important as the sailing side. So buy whatever is sailed by other kids at the local sailing club. If nothing, and you are going to travel to find the other kids, then a Feva, Cadet or Mirror are the choices - they all have active sailing = social events. |
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Captain Morgan
Far too distracted from work
Joined: 03 Sep 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 211 |
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Posted: 15 Apr 09 at 1:22pm |
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The Feva offers better double-handed options than the Q'BA, so if your daughters will be sailing together, they are likely to enjoy the Feva more. The Q'BA is more of a versatile single-hander, and at 45kg-ish would likely be too much for them to handle individually unless the sail is excessively reefed. As has been mentioned, look at what the other kids are sailing at your club, and also bear in mind the level of sailing experience your daughters have now, and will want to have in comparison with their friends at the club. |
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WhatMeSail?
Newbie
Joined: 16 Apr 09 Location: Brazil Online Status: Offline Posts: 4 |
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Posted: 16 Apr 09 at 1:03am |
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Captain Morgan,
I would greatlly appreciate your comments on choosing between a Laser Radial and a Q´BA with the large mylar sail + jib. I would like to take my kids (4 and 8 years old) out sailing for short periods. Kids will get an Optimist or an Open Bic soon, leaving my wife to sail with me. On the other hand, most of the time I will be sailing alone and don´t want to be stuck on a sluggish boat. As compared to a Laser, how much fun would I miss on a Q ´BA? I´m 75 Kg. Many thanks. Edited by WhatMeSail? |
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Captain Morgan
Far too distracted from work
Joined: 03 Sep 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 211 |
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Posted: 16 Apr 09 at 12:09pm |
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OK - here goes... Not being a fan of the Laser, I'll try not to be too biased: Laser Radial vs. Q'BA with the Pro (Mylar) sail +/- jib will be fairly evenly matched in circa 10kts of wind or less. However, the Laser hull shape is faster, and they tend to go to windward much faster than the Q'BA. The second thing is really whether you want a straight single handed design. The Laser simply isn't designed for two people. The Q'BA has vast amounts of space on board by comparison and will certainly take an adult and a child, so I guess it depends on your wife's stature! I have never sailed the Q'BA with another person on board (it's more like having a double bed to yourself!), though I intend to take out a couple of beginners in the coming weeks, just to try this out. With "Mr. & Mrs. Average" sailing together - I would imagine the Q'BA to be quite slow... If however, you are sailing alone for the majority of the time, I would say that you will find the Laser Radial faster - it depends on whether you want to be a Laser Sailor, or are looking to sail a general purpose dinghy that should be able to take you plus wife/kids. Personally, I don't think that you would miss too much fun on a Q'BA, but it depends on whether you want a faster, uncomfortable dinghy (Laser) that has excellent competitive fleet racing. It's also worth considering what you want to get out of your sailing - Do you want to race or potter? The Q'BA is capable of meeting your requirements (I think), but it does depend on your standard of sailing ability, where you sail, and also why you sail, since racing the Q'BA is a different thing altogether. |
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WhatMeSail?
Newbie
Joined: 16 Apr 09 Location: Brazil Online Status: Offline Posts: 4 |
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Posted: 16 Apr 09 at 1:48pm |
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Thank you so very much for your comments.
I am more inclined towards the Q´BA now. I sail on a dam in Sao Paulo, where wind speeds seldom go higher than 10 knots. I may teach the kids on the RS and also take the wife (she´s petite..., so I guess the boat will handle the two of us really well). Anyhow, it would be great to hear from you again after you take another person on board. Kindest regards. |
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Captain Morgan
Far too distracted from work
Joined: 03 Sep 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 211 |
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Posted: 16 Apr 09 at 2:11pm |
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WhatMeSail? After reading your reply, I would say that the Q'BA is definitely the better option for your requirements. Bear in mind though that you won't be zooming around in less than 10kts of wind, but then again you wouldn't in the Laser! However, you will be much more comfortable in the Q'BA than a Laser in these conditions (no crouching in the middle of the cockpit, etc.) I'll let you know how the Q'BA feels with two on board in a couple of weeks. |
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