How hard is a Skiff

Agrre with you Tack... but up to a point.  As far as fleet racing is concerned, it's hard to beat a Laser, butthe effort to performance ratio isn't that great when you just want to go for a sail.

Also, not everyone has the time to spend as long as they'd like training or in the gym, in which case a different class of boat that fits in with your lifestyle may be a better idea in the long run....

BeachBoy,

Life is too short. Just get the high performance boat you drool over and get on with it. It you choose a double-hander thats reosanbly docile... (ie RS500, 29er etc) then you can beg, borrow or steal someone's time to coach you on the water. I bought a 29erXX after years of dry life on the ground and managed to get back into it in about 10 sessions with an ex-Olympian. A lot of swimming & self mutilation was part of the process but the end result is definitely worth it all. A coach who can give you one-on-one attention is key to success!

PS. Make sure to buy the best insurance you can buy... Both for your boat and yourself.

Cheers

I used to campaign a Laser and loved the close racing.  There was a time at Bough Beech when we had ½ dozen keen guys and a fleet of 12 and we would be swapping places all round the course and winning by only metres after 90 minutes.  However after a race we'd all head back to shore for pies and pints, and were really knackered.

Now I sail a 4000, I hardly ever see much of the competition and often don't know who won until I get my email the next day (that's handicap racing).  However after a race I often go for blast - just for the thrill of it.

Very different.

I think you should take an intermediate step or 2.  There's a lot to learn and it doesn't come by reading books.  They are difficult boats, the good guys make it look easy but it isn't.  In fact they are so difficult there are many many sailors who would never manage one.  You could so easily wreck the boat and severely damage your confidence.  And one final tip if you borrow a boat make sure you've got at least a spare tiller extension - you'll proably need it.

And that's the fault of the boat how?  Why not ask someone who knows

Firstly, not everyone wants just to race.  Also, as mentioned earlier, not everyone has the time to train hard enough to get the best out of their Laser.

Nobody will disagree that to get good quality class racing at virtually any club in the country, the Laser will deliver. BUT... to get the best out of it involves a hell of a lot of hard work, and that just isn't for everyone.  I LOVE racing a Laser, but I can't be @rsed to travel to the lake for a blast in one, where as a skiff type boat (and others) do give a better performance-effort ratio.  Not saying you're wrong for loving your Laser, just pointing out that it isn't for everyone.