yet another what boat...

I can't believe that nobody seems to have recommended a Lark to Hannah.

A grown up Firefly with a symmetric spinnaker. One of the nicest boats I've sailed to windward - lots of feel. Good in light airs and on ponds.

Lots of mixed crews - the Hoo Freezer just had Larks with a mixed crew finish in 2nd place and an all-girl crew in 6th place out of 71 starters, so they're good on handicap too. Should be a good social scene for you at opens, Hannah.

Relatively cheap boats as well - certainly compared to 200's or top 12's.

Check their web site: http://www.larkclass.org/ , which includes a 'classifieds' page.

What about a Miracle? We have had a resurgence of Miracles at our club and they are very competative!

But as has been said - what else is sailed at your club? Try them all out and go for what suits you best.

How about you put "Lark, Miracle, National 12 and RS200" (in alphabetical order, note, omitting the Pico, obviously, unless you wanted to add Feva as well ) on a list and go and visit those stands at the Dinghy Show first weekend of March (which is located almost next door to where you sail).

Talk to the people on the stands and note which ones are the size, shape and age that appeals to you most?

" I can't believe no-ones mentioned" a tasar to Hannah

Ok, yet another "favourite boat" option , but here is why-

You could no doubt get a very reasonable boat, in wales, for under a grand to see if you like it. Parts and VGC second hand dacron sails are very reasonable too

It is very light to manoevre off the water and down the slip, and can be car-topped on a largeish car.

you will learn a lot about higher performance sailing especially to plane upwind, which is a joy- burning off RS200s like they are going backwards! Your crew can learn the finer points of white sail control and concentrate on helping the team tactics rather than spinnaker fankles.

If one of your dreams is to sail 420s or 29ers competitively later on, then the tasar will prepare you very well as helm.