Europe vs Laser vs other?

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.

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 , as there is a large Solo fleet a King George Sailing Club!

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