Which skiff to choose

I am looking for a skiff to go sailing with my wife. I have done my share of swimming but she is still learning the ropes. We weigh in at a combined 160Kg (350lbs)
An Rs800, Boss or 49er are probably too much.
a 29er is too small.
Maybe the ISO.
I was thinking of the laser 5000. It seems in decline, why is that?

I am looking for something that will forgive our early mistakes and yet progress with us. IS that possible?
Which boats would you recommend?
Thanks

59er or B14? Both fast boats, the B14 has a good racing circuit and they are not to expensive. The 59er is a really nice boat to sail and you have to be a minimum of 155kgs crew weight but the is not really much of a racing circuit even though they are really nice boats to sail.

The issue is you're trying to reconcile a relatively(!) heavy crew, with limited experience and a skiff. Why not take the experience issue out of the equation, and start with something like an RS400 for a year. Unlike the 59er (as good a boat as it is), loads of them around, very good circuit with excellent sailors, lots of training/help on hand to get the experience.

I know you discounted the 800, but it isn't an extreme a 'skiff' as they go - one design (designed as a more easily sailed/detuned 49er), and have plenty of mixed crews, has a kite chute, and has the option of the single wire config to get you going too... Again plenty of them around.

Otherwise, the B14 or 4k. Both give you good 'bang for buck'.

Strongly agree with the above.  We're in a similar position to you as mid-weight husband / wife crew moving up from a 2-sail traditional class and are enjoying the 400 as a first high-performance assy challenge. 

We found the 800 a great blast and easy to sail, but not very suited to our waters and decided to start with a 400.  We did find the single-wire mode 800 a real handful in a breeze though and didn't like the helming position at all...much easier on the wire!

Other option would be the RS500 which I've been wanting to try - the RS marketing makes it look like a youth boat but I've also read somewhere that some adult mixed fireball crews had switched to it and were enjoying it.  I suspect it would only be good fun in a blow at your weight thogh.

 

 

Don't write off the B14 because of the bagging kite issue.  Its not difficult and adds another aspect of the sailing for the crew, and makes you a bigger man than all the "pull string drop" boats!  Also it makes racing a little more tactical (due to drops having to be timed to perfection, and the choice of gybe/windward drop). 

It is a long way from one side to the other but it keeps you fit!  And you can join the class for very cheap - check www.b14.org for second hand boats, from about £1500 to £5,000.  They aren't too daunting as they don't have a trapeze, but they require excellent team work.  Downwind rides are about as crazy as it comes - 500sq/ft of sail makes a 62kg boat go rather quick!