Boat snob

As an owner of an RS Vision, which is an excellent boat, am I alone in having something of an inferiority complex when I look at the fibreglass Laser 2000s? Plastic though robust and an excellent material just feels a little downmarket in comparison.

I am currently selling the Vision (see Ebay) to get something I can sail single-handed (unreliable crew issue) but am very uncertain of what to get.

The Laser 1 is a great boat but having to take the mast off every outing to slide on the sail, having a dagger board stuck up in the cockpit when on a run and lack of a freely draining transom just seems a bit cheap and nasty.  Seems rather an outdated design now and not quite a 'real' boat for grown-ups.

Also, I will possibly have the occasional crew/passenger which it would be nice to accomodate if possible.

I thought the RS Vareo might be the answer but it gets rather a slating in this forum so perhaps not.

What about an L3000 or V3000?  Rather a lot of sails for single hander but I gather not too difficult and with L3000 there seems a lot of boat for the money.

Trouble with any compromise is that a boat is not going to be the best at anything.  Is it better to go for a single hander with room for a passenger or a double hander that can be sailed by one person?

The alternative is that I give up the idea of passengers and get a decent single hander such as an RS600, a Blaze, an RS300, a Solution or a Contender.  Phantom also looks good but at 82KG I am probably too light. 

Help!!!!!

Agree with your last sentance, don't buy a compomise. 82Kg is not too light for a Phantom.

I would go for a Phantom, Solution, RS300, or a Contender if you want to trapeze.

Most experienced sailors don't consider the likes of the RS Vision a serious boat. Manufacturers main market is the holiday companies and people that don't know any better. (Helmet now secure and awaiting incoming abuse.)

Laser not a real boat? Try sailing it properly! If you have only sailed a Laser on holiday there is no comparision with a top spec GXD. I bought my first Laser in 1977 and apart from the rubbish sail (but that's a different story) it keeps getting better.

I personally would not consider a two man boat for regular single handed sailing.

What about a cat such as a Sprint 15 or Shadow? No space issues when sailing 2 up.

As always your decision really depends on where you are going to be sailing. If you are a club member it's always a good idea to join an existing class rather than to do your own thing.

Many a thread on this all ready.

As Rick says check your local club out and what classes are being sailed. You will probably enjoy racing boat on boat far more than on your own. You will also find most club members gladly offering help and advice on the same class of boat you chose.

At your weight you have a really good range of boats open to you and my little personal plug would be the RS300 (Identical weight to our current national champion). Light responsive fast and real fun if a little challenging. It has often been said of the 300 that it is a boat you will find yourself sailing purely for fun  and all ways coming off the water with a smile.

Good luck with your choice.