which boat to get

   Hi there I have just completed the RYA level 2. Now want a boat I have the choice of three boats. Use will be racing and casual sailing. I am 6ft 3" weigh 11 stone. choice of boats is a Streaker, Laser and solo. 

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tallsailor6.3 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 17 May 16 Location: Ipswich Online Status: Offline Posts: 3	Post Options Post Reply Quote tallsailor6.3 Report Post Quote Reply Topic: which boat to get Posted: 17 May 16 at 3:22pm
	Hi there I have just completed the RYA level 2. Now want a boat I have the choice of three boats. Use will be racing and casual sailing. I am 6ft 3" weigh 11 stone. choice of boats is a Streaker, Laser and solo.

JimC Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 17 May 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 6662	Post Options Post Reply Quote JimC Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 17 May 16 at 3:31pm
	The most important thing to remember is you ain't getting married to the boat. You can - at least if you stick to mainstream classes like those - swap classes relatively easily, and no reason why you shouldn't. So don't agonise too much. Grab a yacht in one of each and see how you do and how you feel about it. None of those are obviously bad choices, and no real need to worry too much about which one is most suitable for your height and weight until you're regularly finishing well into the top half of the fleet.

Late starter Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 24 Feb 07 Online Status: Offline Posts: 481	Post Options Post Reply Quote Late starter Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 17 May 16 at 3:48pm
	Jim is spot on. These are 3 great classes, buying and selling will be easy and if you buy right you'll lose very little if and when you sell any of these classes on. I've sailed all 3 of these boats, I like different elements from each so I find it hard to pick a favourite. Depends on budget and how serious you want to get as well. An old but nice Laser can make a competitive club boat for no sort of money (£1k??), think you'd need a fair bit more than that to get a competitive Solo or Streaker. But the newer Solos and Streakers are lovely boats, so you pays your money etc.

turnturtle Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 05 Dec 14 Online Status: Offline Posts: 2538	Post Options Post Reply Quote turnturtle Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 17 May 16 at 3:56pm
	I'd go to your chosen sailing club and see what others are sailing from that list.... there;s some good club around Ipswich, so plenty of choice. All are good boats, but heed the advice on budget, a 1k Solo isn't going to be competitive, even at club level unless you strike gold and find a very special wooden one... which is unlikely. Do they still have a Vareo fleet at Alton Water? That could be a bit of fun.... and if inland or up the deben or orwell somewhere, don't discount a Phantom. You'd fly and you're tall enough to be 'light and fast' without suffering too much from being overpowered up to a F4. Edited by turnturtle - 17 May 16 at 3:57pm

The Moo Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 01 Jun 06 Online Status: Offline Posts: 809	Post Options Post Reply Quote The Moo Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 17 May 16 at 5:52pm
	Supernova whilst not on your list irons out some of the Laser's vices and provides a little more headroom under the boom

rb_stretch Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 23 Aug 10 Online Status: Offline Posts: 742	Post Options Post Reply Quote rb_stretch Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 17 May 16 at 11:25pm
	I thought streakers were more lightweights boats. Certainly the streaker sailor at our club sails one because the Solo is too big/powerful (relatively speaking).

NickM Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 27 May 09 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 328	Post Options Post Reply Quote NickM Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 18 May 16 at 12:50am
	You can get Solo rigs suited to light weight helms but above 15 knots you will struggle to keep up with the heavy guys whatever your rig. You may find you are more comfortable/competitive in a Streaker or Laser Radial across the wind range.

jeffers Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 29 Mar 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 3048	Post Options Post Reply Quote jeffers Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 18 May 16 at 9:20am
	As others have said see what is being sailed at the club you intend to sail at. Budget is also key as £1k will get you a competitive club Laser with the upgraded sail controls but a Solo and Streaker you are looking at more like £3k to £4k for a competitive boat.
	Paul ---------------------- D-Zero GBR 74

Ardea Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Groupie Joined: 06 Oct 15 Online Status: Offline Posts: 70	Post Options Post Reply Quote Ardea Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 18 May 16 at 12:16pm
	Streakers certainly aren't cheaper than lasers, but I sold a reasonably (formerly) competitive laser and was quids in getting a fairly competitive streaker for less than the new sail and top mast needed to get the laser competitive again. As for weight carrying, the last nationals only 3 out of the top 10 were less than 70kg (approx. 11 stone)

iGRF Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 07 Mar 11 Location: Hythe Online Status: Offline Posts: 6499	Post Options Post Reply Quote iGRF Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 18 May 16 at 12:28pm
	I have to ask, why would you do that to yourself, big lad like you, knees to your chest, they are boats for old small people with the exception of the Laser, get yourself something else you can stretch your legs in, Blaze springs to mind. I wonder which agenda driven fool insisted they were your three choices, or was it your Grandad?
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