Graduate

Rich,

Grads are great boats. They are pretty stable and you'll be fine taking your 4yr old out in it. I started crewing for my dad in 1982 when I was 5 at Southport SC, and we raced it week in week out, to the point where we upgraded and bought a newer boat. The sheet loads on the jib are light enough that a 5yr old should be able to handle it unless its stupid windy and even then it usually only requires a small extra pull from the helm just to tweek it in that final little bit. Essentially the boat is easy enough to sail that you could take it out singlehanded.
The class seems to be increasing in popularity at the moment with many old grad sailors returning with their own children and they might even get some new boats built this year. The boatyard at Beer are currently taking orders for new boats built to the Alpha shape.
In terms of what to look out for, if its a wooden boat then rot is the obvious problem. Check around the hog and the centreboard bolt as these are where dampness can first materialise. GRP boats are generally more robust so just make sure its all there. Also bear in mind that the class has adopted a change in the mainsail measurements so yif its an old grad your looking at it will probably have older sails, that said the new Rooster sails seem very sensibly priced.
Ian Foxwell is a good guy to talk to, and seems to be doing the rounds at the moment with all the pursuit races going on.

What sail number is the boat you've seen ?

Also if you havnt done so already check out the Grad website and forum.

Paul

Hi Dics

I learnt how to sail in a grad, despite being 18 at the time!! They are great boats, and my family still own 2447 (although it is in the garage at momet needing some major work doing to replace damp ply!!  ).

While learning I regularly singlehanded the grad in lighter weather, as a 6 ft 15 stone male I suffer with being too heavy to be competitive in the class. But it taught me the basics well. I would agree with craig that the sheet loads on the jib should be fine.

2447 has been looked after and is still very competitive in the right hands on our river, so there is no reason why 2596 will not be. Although we have not upgraded to the new sail plan, given that we are far to heavy to be class competitive anyway, so I cannot comment on how it sails. All the reports are excellent though, and they do look very well priced.

Adam

You can also get new rules grad sails from alverbanks

It sounds good and I am not hell bent on getting her into the boat and sailing asap either. Even if she spends more time playing in the boat on the front lawn rather than on the water that is a great start in getting a child familiar and comfortable with a boat. My only reseveration is that she will not grow into it for some time prompting me to buy her another boat sooner rather than later. Whereas something like a Mirror she will be able to get sailing and once she is a little older take it out herself and with her brother while I revert back to 300ing. But they do seem to be a good buy and look good enough to do some estuary cruising and a picnic for the little ones plus Dolly. I guess as boats go it's cheap enough not to loose out.

Mirror! Much bigger youth scene ( I think?) and RYA backing as well as it's own training and racing programme if she gets interested.