How hard is a Skiff

I was in exactly the same position as you a few months ago. I am 36 and decided to buy a 700 (birthday present to myself) after quite a few years of doing not much dinghy sailing.

I flatter myself that I used to be reasonably good and was pretty confident with my old Contender a few years back (ie more than 10 years). So I thought that it wouldnt be too hard to get going in the 700 - mistake.

Went out the first time in around 5 - 7 knots and found it reasonably OK, although it was obvious that it was a lot less stable than the Contender. Next time out, the wind got up from around 5 knots to a good 12 - 15. Upwind it was fine, but then I tried to go downhill a bit and it all went wrong. Started swimming a lot and had problems getting home (although no difficulty getting her back upright). Although quite fit, I got tired quite quickly.

I know it is early days yet, but it put me off a little to the extent that I am questioning whether it was the right decision to buy the 7. I think I might have been better off getting something slightly easier to handle for a while, at least while I found my feet again in dinghies.

The choice for me at the time was the Assy Vortex, the 600, a Vareo and various others (including a decent laser). Other sailing friends encouraged me to go straight for the 7 (based on their own experience of what they, and others, had sailed at various clubs). With hindsight, I think a Contender or the Vortex might have been the better bet for at least a couple of seasons.

Am now going to get some training with people who know how to sail the 7 better than I and will practice a bit in the club's Lasers to get my confidence back up.

In short, the 7 is great fun and super quick. However, it is a real handful and if you are not sure you can move up to it from what you have been sailing to date then consider an intermediate step for a season or two first. Put it this way, it is a lot harder to sail than I remember the Contender being (athough this could be because I have very fond memories of the Contender). If I was buying again, I would definitely go for something slightly easier first and then the 700 in a few years time.

Originally posted by Jim Mitch IThe choice for me at the time was the Assy Vortex, the 600, a Vareo and various others (including a decent laser).

If I may ask, why was a Vareo discounted ?

Much sense in Jim Mitch's post. 

Glad to see that someone agrees that skiffs are not learners boats.   Assy Vortex sounds like a good plan to get used to trapeze helming and trimming kite. 

One other thing to bear in mind is that the safety boat crews won't thank you for relying on them to save you if you can't handle this boat you have bought.  Safety boats are there to help if something goes wrong, they are not there for a fallback position should you buy a boat that is beyond your capabilities.  "All the gear and no idea" may come to mind. 



Edited by combat wombat

Where are you based? I will follow you in a power boat and advise, take you out sailing if needed! I need the instructing experience and have nothing but free time on my hands until September.

I am an RYA Instructor don't you know?!

Ummm... sort of why I keep pointing out why this would be a good idea.

As for going straight to MPS / RS700 and ego's that's the down side of asking advice, people will always push there own limits when they are giving it, it's a differnet matter when you are splashing the cash and doing it.

Go for a Vortex Assy, like I said it's the best option for you.