any idears

Try as many as you can but also take a view on the future of the class.

Many of the new classes ahve been through a boom a bust cycle and more look set to bust ... this leaves owners with a boat worth little

Seems that the UK on it's own is not enough to sustain a new class. Few exceptions e.g. RS200.

The 29er and 49er have good international fleets and the MPS has sold over 50% of the boats overseas so it's looking good for the long term.

Rick

Matt has hit it spot on, try the boats you're considering and see which one suits you best because us all having different opinions will mean that we all are biased to certain boats. As has been mentioned before look at the strong classes in your area and seriously consider sailing one of those because you get so much more out of being part of a strong class. I still say the 600 or 700 are your best option though

Originally posted by 5420 what do people think about the laser vortex with there new kite they look good fun and they are quit cheap   still not made my minde up

You know what? This is a great place to get a hundred opinions but there is only one that counts - and that's yours(sorry before I edited this it looked like I meant mine ). I've been accused of persecuting the Vortex in the past so all I'll say is try sailing as many classes as you can - I've only had one person sail my boat (and trapezed) that didn't say they wanted one afterwards - and that one  person bought one a year later anyway.

Of course my opinion is that the Contender would always be the best boat to choose and some of the drawbacks are greatly lessened by being small/light. The Contender is a dog (for me) until I'm on the wire and I have to let the kicker off to tack. But the Contender has been around for a long time and has a very stable/very competitive open circuit attendance (check the stats on Y&Y). It also has a very simple but tweakable rig meaning that lightweights can be surprisingly competitive.

A drawback, and I suspect for you it might be a big one, is that it has no plans to put a kite on it (and never will).

Edited by Matt Jackson

what do people think about the laser vortex with there new kite

they look good fun and they are quit cheap

 

still not made my minde up

Originally posted by 5420 i like contenders but i would like a more moden boat

Don't forget that Contenders can now have a full carbon rig, loose footed sails and high tech sail cloths. So you can see the Contender has been modernised.

The only problem with Contenders at the moment is that second hand boats are selling very quickly and it is difficult to find good ones.

Other question for you - can you trapeze yet?

Best piece of advice though would be to sail the same boat as someone else at your club, just for the help you can get.