Beginners solo boat please

   I am learning on GPS14 which is not a lot of use to me when I am on my own. Now just had lesson 3 and sailed away without an instructor on board......yes!!
Lesson 4 to go then off into the blue on my own. What a great sport, really looking forward to getting my own boat and learning as I go how to do things better.
At the moment the Topaz is looking good, know some off you have said no, but I like the idea that it is single when I want it, but can take two if I find someone brave enough to join me  
But it is early days yet and I have lots of research and trial sails to do, exciting !
Once again thank you for all your input really is appreciated.

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Helen B Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 10 Apr 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 7	Post Options Post Reply Quote Helen B Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Beginners solo boat please Posted: 25 Apr 05 at 7:44pm
	I am learning on GPS14 which is not a lot of use to me when I am on my own. Now just had lesson 3 and sailed away without an instructor on board......yes!! Lesson 4 to go then off into the blue on my own. What a great sport, really looking forward to getting my own boat and learning as I go how to do things better. At the moment the Topaz is looking good, know some off you have said no, but I like the idea that it is single when I want it, but can take two if I find someone brave enough to join me But it is early days yet and I have lots of research and trial sails to do, exciting ! Once again thank you for all your input really is appreciated.
	Never go faster than your gaurdian angel can fly

Blobby Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 07 May 04 Location: Australia Online Status: Offline Posts: 779	Post Options Post Reply Quote Blobby Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 21 Apr 05 at 9:59am
	What boat have you sailed in for your lessons?

Jon Emmett Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 15 Mar 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 988	Post Options Post Reply Quote Jon Emmett Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 20 Apr 05 at 9:17pm
	At 9 1/2 stone you would be fine for a Laser Radial, very strong second hand market. Please do not think you have to be an Olympic aspirant to sail one, the class has over two thousand members but only a couple of hundred boats at events, so this means there must be a lot of sailors who simply sail for the fun of it!
	Be Your Own Tactics Coach

Black no sugar Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 04 Dec 04 Location: Somewhere between Brighton and Lancing Online Status: Offline Posts: 3941	Post Options Post Reply Quote Black no sugar Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 20 Apr 05 at 8:44pm
	Helen B!! Keeps us posted!! Let us know what you chose, how you got on with it, how soon after the first launch you capsized ( if it hasn't happened, you're not trying hard enough ). Better still, post pictures! You can on this thread - click the and browse through your sailing files. I'm looking forward to see the results . Enjoy!! BnS
	Lancing SC

Helen B Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 10 Apr 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 7	Post Options Post Reply Quote Helen B Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 12 Apr 05 at 6:35pm
	You guys are great thank you very much for all your comments have loads to think about now
	Never go faster than your gaurdian angel can fly

49erGBR735HSC Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 30 Mar 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1991	Post Options Post Reply Quote 49erGBR735HSC Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 12 Apr 05 at 3:52pm
	Although no-one has mentioned it, why not ask your instructor which boat is best for you? They'll be able to assess your sailing ability, what your strengths are and what sort of progress you're capable of. They'll know the most about you as a sailor and have the experience to advise what is the best route and be able to advise you best on what is quite a crucial decision.
	Dennis Watson 49er GBR735 Helensburgh S.C Boat Insurance from Noble Marine

jon2005 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Groupie Joined: 31 Mar 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 49	Post Options Post Reply Quote jon2005 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 12 Apr 05 at 3:42pm
	I dont agree with any of your boat choices its clear that the Hobie FX 1 is the perfect beginers boat

iansmithofotley Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Far too distracted from work Joined: 16 Mar 04 Location: Otley, West Yorkshire Online Status: Offline Posts: 209	Post Options Post Reply Quote iansmithofotley Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 11 Apr 05 at 9:37pm
	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.)

Garry Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 18 Apr 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 536	Post Options Post Reply Quote Garry Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 11 Apr 05 at 8:45pm
	If you're a subscriber to Y&Y you can probably download the start sailing supplement from the members area (although I haven't checked if its there). Also if you go to the classes section you can make your way through the various classes getting facts and figures and photos... or hone in on specific classes i.e laser, solo, lightening, splash, Topper, Comet etc
	Garry Lark 2252, Contender 298 www.cuckoos.eclipse.co.uk

Helen B Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 10 Apr 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 7	Post Options Post Reply Quote Helen B Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 11 Apr 05 at 8:01pm
	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
	Never go faster than your gaurdian angel can fly