Trio/Vision specifications
Length	15'  (15')	4.60m
Beam	6'	1.83m
Sail Area Mainsail	100sq ft   (95sq ft)	9.28sq m
Sail Area Jib	35sq ft   (33 sq ft)	3.25sq m
Sail Area Spinnaker	100sq ft  (130 sq ft)	9.28sq m
Hull Weight	320lbs	145kg  (120kg)
Portsmouth Number	1086  (1078)
Crew	2-5  (2-5)

Edited by NathanL

Originally posted by NathanL I'm quite surprised just how many people (not just on this forum) who prefer the old school boats. And then I'm wondering whether they could really be so much better than modern design and construction methods or it's the nostalgia talking!

You have to remember that the "modern design and construction methods" you're considering in the case of the Omega/Vision are focussed on building the boats as cheaply as possible to maximise profit, not on making them perform or handle better.

If you're talking modern design and construction methods that will give you a more satisfying sail, then you need to be looking at woven cloth (glass, Kevlar or carbon) and epoxy, vacuum bagged, not an over-sized washing-up bowl. On the other hand if you're planning lots of beaching, you don't necessarily want such sophisitication. But weight for weight, grp will provide a stiffer, more satisfying boat than moulded plastic, whatever the blurb in the glossy brochures says. Try a modern Wayfarer, and maybe Comet Trio (there's a serious new suggestion) before you buy anything. A long-time Wayfaring mate of mine just bought a 2000 this season - finds it OK; but he's ordered a new Hartley Wayfarer for next season!

many of the old school boats will deal well with the stony beach, we have a wayfarer at our club and the bloke has figured out a way of launching and recovering the boat on his own, and it deals with the stones very well, there hulls are very well built and the same with the GP14 except its not quite to spacious, i think if you buy a modern "plasic" boat you will find you will be forever having problems with them on that sort of beach with stones in the slot .etc.

Thats my 1/2p's worth.

I'm quite surprised just how many people (not just on this forum) who prefer the old school boats. And then I'm wondering whether they could really be so much better than modern design and construction methods or it's the nostalgia talking! I will take a look at the GP14 though- I'm open to any suggestions- but my first impressions are that the GP wont be as roomy as say a Vision?

I will be sailing from East Mersea, Essex so the boat will be getting yanked up on a sand/stone shore. That said I'm pretty careful with my boats- I sailed my Laser at Stone (Nr Bradwell Power Station) for some time which for those that have never sailed there is quite...well.....stony. My Laser was in excellent condition even after several years there.

It seems the Vision is still a preferable choice over the Bahia, all duly noted.

If I could get a sail in any of them I would be very grateful. I live in Billericay so could travel throughout the south east coast up to say Clacton or as far south as say Whitstable. I have my own kit so you wouldn't have to provide anything except your favourite choice of tipple so I can give my thanks!


Edited by NathanL

Originally posted by Villan NO!! Not a Bahia!! Please, Save yourself. We have a few, broken 3 rudder pins, a centerboard ... All in 3 months ...

We've got 'em as teaching boats and I'm not aware of any breakages - what on earth do you do to them ?! 

Laser are advertising a 'sale day' later this month which includes Bahias from £4750 which is cheaper than the Vision XL. I think that I prefer the Vision too but the Bahia is just a bit roomier. ......or what about a Wanderer ? small, but a nice family boat ?

Nigel