Pond Sailing Suggestions

   Two of your 'possibles' don't have kites.
25 stone sounds a lot for a graduate or Scorpion. It's right for a fairly big boat.
My best thought is to buy the best GP14 you can afford and learn to sail better than the other guy. If you ever beat him, you will know you are sailing better.
Some of the older Merlins may do well on handicap, and carry the weight well, depending on whether you get the proper age allowance. (see Merlin website).

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RS400atC Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 04 Dec 08 Online Status: Offline Posts: 3011	Post Options Post Reply Quote RS400atC Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Pond Sailing Suggestions Posted: 13 Aug 10 at 11:08am
	Two of your 'possibles' don't have kites. 25 stone sounds a lot for a graduate or Scorpion. It's right for a fairly big boat. My best thought is to buy the best GP14 you can afford and learn to sail better than the other guy. If you ever beat him, you will know you are sailing better. Some of the older Merlins may do well on handicap, and carry the weight well, depending on whether you get the proper age allowance. (see Merlin website).

alstorer Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 02 Aug 07 Location: Cambridge Online Status: Offline Posts: 2899	Post Options Post Reply Quote alstorer Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 13 Aug 10 at 11:01am
	Lark? No idea what they're like on handicap, but modern ones look to be rather better boats than the one I once went round that lake very slowly in.
	-_ Al

MattHarris Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Groupie Joined: 03 Oct 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 94	Post Options Post Reply Quote MattHarris Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 13 Aug 10 at 10:48am
	I sail at Southport (WLYC 24 Hour Race Lake) and I'm after a new boat. Specifications are a double hander suiting crew weights of 24-25 stone. No trapeze, easily handled kite(not asymmetric) and be able to buy a competitive boat for around £1500. Racing is open handicap, current boats to beat are lasers, a graduate and particularly quick mark 3 GP so would need to be at least able to compete with these in most conditions. Current possibilities are National 12, Tasar, Scorpian or anything else anyone can suggest. I have zero experience of any of these classes so if anyone can suggest anything or make points that would be great. I've written off GP's (£3k for a competitive boat), Enterprises (handicap is woefully inaccurate), Merlin Rocket (cost of competitive boats and too quick) and Graduates (crew weight too heavy).