Which Asymmetric for teenagers?

Do they go in light winds? The 420 is pretty rubbish in light winds always come last in handicaps and get beaten by GPs, solos etc

Wow thats helped a lot, the 29er looks like a good choise im just not sure if me n my crew are heavy enough as i weigh 8 - 9 and he weighs about 10ish, is that heavy enough? Also what are they like in light winds as we get them quite frequently? And what sort of price is a second hand one at?

Thanks again!

29er but be careful to budget for new sails if needed - That puts many of the 3 - 4year old boats over the price of a brand new RS500.

Buzz does look good value  - not sure about resale though.

Originally posted by 49erGBR735HSC I had a Laser 5000 at about 16/17ish, brilliant boat at the time and stepped straight up from a Laser 2. There is a bit of a learning curve but it is extremely worth it. 14s will be slightly easier to handle as they are lighter and the rig won't load up so much up top sailing upwind due to the difference in weight. My only gripe of the 5000 at the time was that it was an absolute nightmare to right due to the weight in the rig. Olly and Alex have made a good point but it will also be dependant on your weight and attitude to the sport, if you are a light teenager and can get nervous on the boat, rule out the 14, if not go for it and be prepared to swim initially. Other options are 29er, then convert to XX then upgrade to 49er, or possibly a cherub or a 4000. The 4000, 29er and 500 all have the advantages of they do or will have relatively competitive fleets, so if you value racing over thrill factor, they may be more appropriate, although I sailed the 5000 on PY a lot outside class racing and you do realise stepping back into other fleets that if you're fast in something like a 5k or 14, it usually stands you in good stead for hitting the front of the fleet in other classes as your boat handling skills are high.

Saying that dennis when i sailed at itchenor with my m12 helm were racing against various ex olympic peeps etc. And the current 5oh world champ

I had a Laser 5000 at about 16/17ish, brilliant boat at the time and stepped straight up from a Laser 2. There is a bit of a learning curve but it is extremely worth it. 14s will be slightly easier to handle as they are lighter and the rig won't load up so much up top sailing upwind due to the difference in weight. My only gripe of the 5000 at the time was that it was an absolute nightmare to right due to the weight in the rig. Olly and Alex have made a good point but it will also be dependant on your weight and attitude to the sport, if you are a light teenager and can get nervous on the boat, rule out the 14, if not go for it and be prepared to swim initially. Other options are 29er, then convert to XX then upgrade to 49er, or possibly a cherub or a 4000. The 4000, 29er and 500 all have the advantages of they do or will have relatively competitive fleets, so if you value racing over thrill factor, they may be more appropriate, although I sailed the 5000 on PY a lot outside class racing and you do realise stepping back into other fleets that if you're fast in something like a 5k or 14, it usually stands you in good stead for hitting the front of the fleet in other classes as your boat handling skills are high. 

Edited by 49erGBR735HSC