Another What Boat Thread

Hi Graemef,

If I understand correctly you want a two-man boat with centreboard, asymmetric spinnaker and one trapeze.  If these criteria are rigid then I think the 500 is your only option.  There has been much mixed reaction to it on this board, but not many (any?) of the regular posters have actually sailed it.  If you are interested, definately try before you buy - LDC will be more than happy to oblige.  RS boats are generally well built and thought out, and the 500 is probably about the right size for you (its a teen to adult size, not really intended for 25 stone+).

The other option, which I am suprised no-one mentioned is a Hurricane 5.9 catamaran.  Don't let anyone tell you they are hard to sail, they are simple.  They are modern, have centreboards, twin trapeze (but stable enough to sail on just one or none if necessary) and in SX mode have an asymmetric. I think they fit your requirements perfectly. 

If it must be a monohull - if you are prepared to go symmetric (I personally wouldn't), then I would suggest a Fireball.  If you could give up the trapeze then the RS400 would be a good choice.  If you are prepared to have a daggerboard then I would think the Laser 4000 fits the bill. I understand your desire to have a pivotting board, but  unless you sail on very shallow water daggerboards are not a real problem.  They can still be raised whilst sailing downwind and, as JimC said, shingle in a centreboard slot is awful.  As has been mentioned before, the reason most asymmetrics don't have pivotting centreboards is that they are more expensive, less efficient and develop leeway downwind if raised.   

Non-asymmetrics (ie kiteless and traditional spinnaker classes) often have centreboards as they are more user friendly and remain better balanced offwind (due to the shorter pole on traditional kites).

CT - Trolleying boats across shingle is a nightmare, the wheels sink and don't spin.  Many shingle based clubs use sledges instead (Herne Bay, Downs).  The other problem is that the beaches tend to be very steep and so the surf can be a problem for launch/recovery.

Catamarans are the spawn of satan and should be sawn up on site.

Like Formula Windsurfing Boards.

No one serious about racing uses them

Well no-one with any grey matter

Originally posted by Graemef Catamarans are the spawn of satan and should be sawn up on site. Like Formula Windsurfing Boards. No one serious about racing uses them Well no-one with any grey matter

I'm not even going to waste my breath on you!!


Edited by Worthy

Oh, and there's nothing "cool" about that Musto, its designed by an
imbecile.

Half its problems are the mast step relationship to the daggerboard.

Which induces windward stalling, a bit like a longboard with the
centreboard kicked forward, no wonder it goes into Irons so easily.

If ever a boat needed a self tacking gib to pull the windward centre of
effort forward, or a retracting centreboard to pull the centre of lateral
resistance aft a tad. Or move it aft 6 inches.

And dont give me the "oh its technical you have to learn to sail it" I've
watched grown men reduced to children in them.

Irritating thing - almost as if someone said "Lets make a boat thats next
to impossible to sail and see how they get on."

Probably not the best thing to try and learn to sail in your late fifties off a
steep shingle beach in a rough sea. But with a couple of mods, it could
have been such a different story.

If you are Hythe and Saltwood, take the trip to Minnis Bay near Margate.  The north Kent coast is much better for sailing in my opinion.  There is a nice sandy beach as well as flatter water protected by the Margate Sands.   Your choice of boat will open a lot (and the standard of sailing is higher there). 

Edit: No I don't sail there, but its my favourite club.

Edited by Chew my RS