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Europe vs Laser vs other?
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Ross View Drop Down
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Joined: 02 May 07
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Posts: 1163 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Ross Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Europe vs Laser vs other?
    Posted: 02 May 07 at 9:35pm

I would love to try out a Contender, and if you were closer to London I would have taken you up on the offer! Maybe in a few years, when I am earning some money I will own one Big smile.

For the moment though I just need some regular, decent sailing to get back up to instructing standard. A few years ago my club (King George SC) was drained for maintenance (it’s a reservoir owned by Themes Valley water). I started sailing in a club in Bedford (Stewartby, lovely piece of water) an hours drive away, but it was too much effort to get there and back every weekend. Then I just stopped sailing because....well....I had nowhere decent to sail! Now King George re-opened last year and I now have 180 acres of water at my disposal  Evil Smile! And I can get there on the bus.

 

 
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Black no sugar View Drop Down
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Joined: 04 Dec 04
Location: Somewhere between Brighton and Lancing
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Posts: 3941 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Black no sugar Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 May 07 at 9:16pm

Come on, Contender guys, let me hear it:

ONE - TWO - THREE - FOUR:

"GO FOR A CONTENDER!"

Your size and weight would put you on the lighter end of the fleet but, over the last few years, many excellent young sailors have proved that Contenders are not only sailed by middle-aged gorillas. 

You can pick up a second-hand Contender within your price range and I don't think you will get that much fun with another boat for that amount of money. Bonus: it you don't like it after a couple of years, you can sell it for the price you've bought it!

It'll teach you agility and responsiveness, give you first-hand trapeze practice and, when you get your own car with towbar, the circuit is full of great guys. 

Come along to Lancing and you can borrow mine      
Lancing SC
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Rob.e View Drop Down
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Joined: 19 Oct 04
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Posts: 545 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Rob.e Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 May 07 at 9:12pm
Don't knock it till you try it! I went from an RS 300 to a Solo and loved it, purely 'cos I was sailing in big fleets. You cannot beat good competition for fun.
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Ross View Drop Down
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Posts: 1163 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Ross Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 May 07 at 8:43pm

Originally posted by redback

Its part of a sailing education to be able to pick the shifts, pick off boats at marks and get good starts.  You won't learn that very fast in a Vortex, if fact the Laser is the boat to learn those skills.  The Europe is a nicer boat but without the class racing you'd be focussing on tweaking and again those important skills will not be developed.  It pains me to say this but from what you say a Laser is the boat for you, but hey nothing is forever and in a couple of years you may be able to consider a change to a thoroughbred like a Europe or something more exciting like a Vortex.

 

I hadn't though of it from that perspective. All clubs have a couple of laser's to race against, and competition is the best way to improve the skills that you mentioned and I wont find many other boats in the same situation. Unless I buy a Solo LOL , as there is a large Solo fleet a King George Sailing Club!



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redback View Drop Down
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Joined: 16 Mar 04
Location: Tunbridge Wells
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Posts: 1502 		Post Options Post Options   Quote redback Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 May 07 at 8:01pm
Its part of a sailing education to be able to pick the shifts, pick off boats at marks and get good starts.  You won't learn that very fast in a Vortex, if fact the Laser is the boat to learn those skills.  The Europe is a nicer boat but without the class racing you'd be focussing on tweaking and again those important skills will not be developed.  It pains me to say this but from what you say a Laser is the boat for you, but hey nothing is forever and in a couple of years you may be able to consider a change to a thoroughbred like a Europe or something more exciting like a Vortex.
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Ross View Drop Down
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Posts: 1163 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Ross Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 May 07 at 7:33pm

Hey, new member hear and I need you advice

I'm buying a boat, and I don't know what to get!  I am a competent sailor (I have my RYA instructors with racing endorsement, all the old junior scheme certs. and I used to race in the RYA SE topper squad) I'm 17, male, bang on 5ft 9" and around 70kg. My budget is only £1000, so looking at second hand boats. The obvious choice would be either a laser full rig or radial, but I am looking into similar boats such as the Europe, Blaze and the Comet. I would love a Vortex, and I have seen them for a grand, but they are rare and do not come up very often.

Given my height and weight (still growing though), what other boats would you suggest?  If I was to go with a laser, do you think a radial or a full rig would suit me better?

The contender appeals, and again they can be had for £1000 but will my height and weight be an issue?

There does not have to be a very active circuit or class, as I am quite happy just competing at club level.  But I might attend the odd open meeting.

Cheers,

Ross.

 
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