Laser 2000 or RS Vision or what

   Hi all.  New to all this so please go easy.  The family (me,
wife and 6 year old) have done some sailing on holiday (usual
markwarner pico stuff) and enjoyed it.  We now think we'd like to
do some more regular sailing back home as a family.  Clearly a
pico is too small for all of us (particularly when I'm 6ft 2 and 14
stone odd) so we went and had a look at a Laser2000.  Seems lovely
and we're having a 'test sail' (I suppose that's what it is) next
weekend.  Anyway, I've now spent nearly all day on the internet
and I'm wondering if it's the right choice or rather why I should buy
one of those when, say, an RS Vision seems similar but significantly
cheaper.  There's probably a Topper something that does much the
same too.  So...thoughts please on the pros and cons of the
Laser2000, thr RS Vision and anything else you feel I should be
considering.

Thanks.

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IanMitchell Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 17 Sep 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 11	Post Options Post Reply Quote IanMitchell Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Laser 2000 or RS Vision or what Posted: 17 Sep 05 at 10:36pm
	Hi all. New to all this so please go easy. The family (me, wife and 6 year old) have done some sailing on holiday (usual markwarner pico stuff) and enjoyed it. We now think we'd like to do some more regular sailing back home as a family. Clearly a pico is too small for all of us (particularly when I'm 6ft 2 and 14 stone odd) so we went and had a look at a Laser2000. Seems lovely and we're having a 'test sail' (I suppose that's what it is) next weekend. Anyway, I've now spent nearly all day on the internet and I'm wondering if it's the right choice or rather why I should buy one of those when, say, an RS Vision seems similar but significantly cheaper. There's probably a Topper something that does much the same too. So...thoughts please on the pros and cons of the Laser2000, thr RS Vision and anything else you feel I should be considering. Thanks.

TonyL Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Groupie Joined: 28 Jun 05 Online Status: Offline Posts: 57	Post Options Post Reply Quote TonyL Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 18 Sep 05 at 7:02pm
	Glad you're considering getting your own boat, it's a great sport at whatever level you want to get to. There are many classes of boat that might meet your requirements, some shiny and new from the likes of Laser and RS are some that have been around somewhat longer. A lot depends on your budget. I suspect you won't find an RS Vision for much under £4k, alternatively your family could learn to sail quite adequately in a 15 year old glass Ent or GP14 for a few hundred pounds - not so glitzy but you'll always get back virtually what you paid for it once you want to move onto something else! Probably the best single thing you can do is get round a few local clubs, and join one that seems to welcome newcomers - assuming you haven't done this already. See what people sail there, be polite and you'll get offered a few rides in different classes too.

HannahJ Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 23 Jul 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 861	Post Options Post Reply Quote HannahJ Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 18 Sep 05 at 7:50pm
	I agree, club sailing is much more fun than on your own, and you get free advice as well!
	MIRROR 64799 "Dolphin" The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist hopes it will change; the realist adjusts the sail

IanMitchell Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 17 Sep 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 11	Post Options Post Reply Quote IanMitchell Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 20 Sep 05 at 9:44am
	Thanks for replies. I've now decided that it's the Topper Xenon that should be added to the comparision mix. Damn, this is complicated.

Philsy Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 12 Sep 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 344	Post Options Post Reply Quote Philsy Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 09 Mar 06 at 11:57am
	Just spotted this thread. I've been through exactly the same thought process. I eliminated the Xenon as being too extreme as a family boat - shame because it looks fun. The L2000 and Vision offer similar things, but the Vision wins on price. It's also a newer design and has the advantage of being more durable when pulled up on beaches. Be interested to hear what you decide (or have decided) Phil

mike ellis Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 30 Dec 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 2339	Post Options Post Reply Quote mike ellis Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 09 Mar 06 at 4:34pm
	the wayfarers are built like brick s*** houses. i used to be sailed in 1 of them with parents when i was 4ish. from what i can remember it was well built stable and my dad didnt have a problem keeping it up with me and him and the full rig on in a force 3-4. he was fat and i was 4 at the time. with a wayfarer you can be fairly competitive racing aswell. the other day the parents took out our clubs wayfarer and had a great race on handicap. me and my sister where sailing our feva at the time but not against them. i remember once we all slept in the boat when i was 6ish with a boom tent. it was a bit cramped but warm. i cant remember much of wayfarer sailing but it always seemed safe with parents.
	600 732, will call it Sticks and Stones when i get round to it. Also International 14, 1318

Philsy Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 12 Sep 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 344	Post Options Post Reply Quote Philsy Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 09 Mar 06 at 4:38pm
	I agree Mike, I was brought up with a Wayfarer and have happy memories. However, I wouldn't want one now. Things have moved on and, to me, the Wayfarer is too slow and heavy compared to newer offerings. Just my opinion... Phil

Villan Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 26 Nov 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1768	Post Options Post Reply Quote Villan Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 09 Mar 06 at 6:05pm
	I learnt to sail (from the age of 9) in a Wayfarer. Great boats ... stable, fast in a breeze, but they DO scoop up a lot of water if / when you capsize them (even with self bailers ... they are a bit of a pain to empty .. until you get going again)
	Vareo - 149 "Secrets" TandyUK Servers

carshalton fc Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 26 Jan 05 Location: England Online Status: Offline Posts: 2337	Post Options Post Reply Quote carshalton fc Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 10 Mar 06 at 10:55am
	well it depends on what u really want to do. because the 2000 has a very friendly class association that organise events all over the country etc and the rs vision doesnt have a class association but would be great for club racing and doing open events or the orcassional trip to the coast. the vision doesnt seem to hold its price very well condidering newish boats go for about £2000 but a secondhand 2000 would cost u around £4000ish. personaly i would go for the 2k much more stable nice to sail in genral and will be a blast when the wind picks up. happy sailing
	International 14 1503

Philsy Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 12 Sep 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 344	Post Options Post Reply Quote Philsy Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 10 Mar 06 at 11:09am
	The Vision does have a class association, but it's quite new. Be interested to know where you can buy a secondhand Vision for £2000. Can you let me know? Phil