Selecting a new Dinghy

   Hi, I have just joined this forum so please excuse any  dumb questions. I'm sure everyone asks the same but I would like some feedback regarding buying a dinghy. My wife and I have fairly recently passed our RYA level 2 and have been trying out a few different dinghies. I have recently been sailing a Laser 2 which I thought was fantastic compared to the Wayfarers we originally learnt in.  Our requirements are as follows, light weight (<100Kg if possible), fast and fun, very low maintanance, comfortable, quick and easy to rig, suitable for 2 large adults (combined weight 25 stone +) , strong and robust design. So far the closest I can see to these requirements is the Dart 16 Catamaran. I realise were only beginners but we don't want a family type boat, I'm quite happy to get wet while I get better (not sure about the  wife though!!). Anyway any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks 

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lostatsea Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 22 Jul 06 Online Status: Offline Posts: 31	Post Options Post Reply Quote lostatsea Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Selecting a new Dinghy Posted: 22 Jul 06 at 4:18pm
	Hi, I have just joined this forum so please excuse any dumb questions. I'm sure everyone asks the same but I would like some feedback regarding buying a dinghy. My wife and I have fairly recently passed our RYA level 2 and have been trying out a few different dinghies. I have recently been sailing a Laser 2 which I thought was fantastic compared to the Wayfarers we originally learnt in. Our requirements are as follows, light weight (<100Kg if possible), fast and fun, very low maintanance, comfortable, quick and easy to rig, suitable for 2 large adults (combined weight 25 stone +) , strong and robust design. So far the closest I can see to these requirements is the Dart 16 Catamaran. I realise were only beginners but we don't want a family type boat, I'm quite happy to get wet while I get better (not sure about the wife though!!). Anyway any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

JimC Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 17 May 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 6662	Post Options Post Reply Quote JimC Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 22 Jul 06 at 4:46pm
	First question is whether you want a spinnaker or not, and if so if it should be an asymmettric one or a pole one. This is a question your wife needs to answer not you! First piece of advice is to get a slightly scratched second hand boat not a new one. I've seen a couple in your sort of circumstances head towards divorce over the first few scratches, and they are inevitble, so best someone else has made them.

feva_sailor Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 03 May 06 Location: United Arab Emirates Online Status: Offline Posts: 767	Post Options Post Reply Quote feva_sailor Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 22 Jul 06 at 4:52pm
	yes the dart is a good boat but have you thought about maybe a monohull like a rs 200?on the laser 2 and wayfarer did you use the symettric kites?if so maybe a 5o5 would be the awnser.

mike ellis Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 30 Dec 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 2339	Post Options Post Reply Quote mike ellis Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 22 Jul 06 at 5:08pm
	or 470 perhaps
	600 732, will call it Sticks and Stones when i get round to it. Also International 14, 1318

rich96 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 20 Jan 05 Online Status: Offline Posts: 596	Post Options Post Reply Quote rich96 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 22 Jul 06 at 6:10pm
	Try a Tasar - at 25 stone you may be a bit on the heavy side to be fully race competetive but it's fast, stable and great fun. Also it's prettyy simple to rig and sail. It sails with a larger crew much better than a Laser 11 and is much more comfy. Forget the 505, 470 etc suggestions - too complex and you could easily get into trouble with a 505 (powerful beast) The Dart 16 is great fun off a beach but I'm sure you'd rapidly tire of it.It's also a bit of alump to drag around on shore.

Pierre Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 15 Mar 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1532	Post Options Post Reply Quote Pierre Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 22 Jul 06 at 6:51pm
	25 stone + ...... It's Osprey time Mind you it is a bit of a weight, but your wife will soon get used to it.

lostatsea Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 22 Jul 06 Online Status: Offline Posts: 31	Post Options Post Reply Quote lostatsea Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 22 Jul 06 at 7:03pm
	Hi, thanks everyone, your advice is greatly appreciated. I think a asymetrical spinnaker would be ok as most of our sailing would be at sea not on a river . Is the RS200 able to carry our weight as I thought this was a youth catagory. What about the RS400?.The Tasar looks a bit small. I have never seen the Osprey.The 505 looks like a great boat but it might be a bit heavy for the two of us. What about the laser 4000.

Medway Maniac Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 13 May 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 2788	Post Options Post Reply Quote Medway Maniac Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 22 Jul 06 at 8:47pm
	Do you like hiking, or do you want a trapeze? (Or even one trapeze each?)

lostatsea Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 22 Jul 06 Online Status: Offline Posts: 31	Post Options Post Reply Quote lostatsea Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 22 Jul 06 at 9:34pm
	Hiking or maybe one trapeze. Having looked at the Laser 4000 in more detail I think it might be a bit extream for us at the moment. Still quite fancy the Dart 16. We are going to Porto Heli at the end of August with Neilson so hopefully we will have a chance to try a few different dinghies

Medway Maniac Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 13 May 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 2788	Post Options Post Reply Quote Medway Maniac Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 22 Jul 06 at 9:45pm
	I agree the 4000 might be a bit much after level 2. I'nm thinking more along the lines of an RS400 - still achallenge at our level, but they are also quite forgiving and can take 25 stone easily enough. But what do they sail at your nearest club? If you're to keep sailing regularly you really want to sail from a club and probably race (even if you don't view yourself as a club-type person - a lot of us didn't!). Getting something that's already popular locally means you'll get more tips and support, plus some benchmarks to aim at. I'd pay the local club(s) a visit tomorrow (Sunday). Just walk in and talk to people - unless you're very unlucky you'll be surprised how happy people are to talk about their boats.