Beginners solo boat please

Um well you are the right weight for a Topper but they don't have much room when you want to take someone out and they can go fast in the heavier stuff.

I don't like recommending anyone gets a pico but they are an option i guess because they are mostly sailed single handed but have the capasity for a jib and someone to take with you.

Topaz also has the option of double handed and single handed.

Try as many as you can at your club and then look on the notice board and in magazines and on the net to find a cheap one for sale.

Here are some websites you can try and see if you like Topper, Topaz etc (ignore the price becasue they obviously arent that much second hand)

www.toppersailboats.com (topper and Topaz)

www.lasersailing.com (Pico)

www.ldcracingsailboats.com (have boats like the RS reva which are good single handed or with a crew)

 

Edited by Wave Rider

My Mum learnt to sail a few years back, after watching me and my brother. She was very apprehensive, would have weighed about 9 and 1/2 stone and was given a shot of a boat she absolutely loved on her level 3 course. Sounds daft but she loved the Laser. You can get them pretty easily, you can buy a rig to suit your size and they can be great fun. Would advise that if you've just finished your Level 2 course, to do another further course with your sailing school or club, and during this course learn the basics about Laser sailing so you get a bit of structured sailing with the boat, in an environment where it is safe and easier to learn.

Or even a Lightning 368......

Thank you for all your help, it is difficult when you know nowt  Pity they don't advertise boats like horses, bombproof cob for total beginner good to load, shoe etc, for example  The website leads are great as I don't know yet what a lot of the dinghys are called so sites are not easy to find.

Roll on next Saturday and the next lesson

Edited by Helen B

Hi Helen,

I think that Garry's advice is best - find a club that suits you first. Check out all of the clubs in the area where you wish to sail, talk to people, see what is going on, find out if the club meets your needs (sea/inland, water size, facilities, racing, social, training, when open, club boat availability, cost, etc., etc.). If you have only had one lesson, in my opinion, it is not a good idea to even think about buying a boat yet.  I think that it is best to learn about all aspects of our sport and then ascertain what you really want to do in the short term, say during the next eight months.

If you join a club, you may also get the chance to crew for someone which will also speed up your learning.  Clubs with a good training set up may also give you further learning opportunities and also the chance to sail in a variety of boats. Check out the R.Y.A. site for clubs in a specific area or even the 'clubs and classes' section of this site. 

Do what Garry suggests - join a club but not just the first one that you look at, check a few out and visit them more than once. If you mention, in this thread, the area where you live and the area where you wish to sail, I am sure that the regular contributors to the forum will assist you regarding clubs.

Ian  (Yorkshire Dales S.C.)