First time boat

Originally posted by roadsterboy3 Hi What would be the best double hander for beginers and where could we get one if any. Looking for small price not too much round about 3-4 thousand Hope you can help Rhory

crew weight?

 

youd probably want to look at a Xenon, vago, vibe, RS200 laser 2000

 

something along them lines

Originally posted by roadsterboy3 What would be the best double hander for beginers

So how long is your piece of string? We really need answers to some questions first to cut the choice down a bit.

Lets start with:-
1) How much do the two who'll be sailing it weigh? How old are you? How strong?

2) What sort of sailing do you plan on doing?

3) Where will you be sailing the boat? Which club, what are the sea conditions like

4) Where will you be keeping the boat? Steep ramp/shallow ramp/shingle/nice hard concrete paths?

5) Mark your taste in pushing the limits between
a) its a bad day if I haven't been tipped in the water at least three times
b) We'll learn quickly so something quick please
c) We don't mind the occasional capsize, but we want to sail, not swim
d) Something steady and predictable without too many alarums and excursions
e) We don't fancy any great drama, lets just go sailing for now.

6) Maintenance. Cheap older boats, especially wood, can be a very good deal if you like doing the TLC, painting, varnishing etc. If you don't then don't get an old wood boat etc... So what do you reckon on that sort of thing?


Edited by JimC

Funnily enough I was just there today doing a sailing instructors course.
It is based on the big old concrete ramp that was built for seaplanes during WWII, with a coarse beach on one side and a rockier area in front of the clubhouse.
It is tidal, but relatively sheltered, with the odd interjection of wash courtesy of P&O and Stena.
The club has a few picos, toppers, and a feva, but no established OD fleets. A smattering of other boats (RS200, 505, Dart 18, Hornet, LII and a couple of others) but as far as I could see just the one of each.
The boat storage is at the top of the ramp on the concrete with tie downs.
It is currently a very small club but are in the process of building up numbers, and I very much enjoyed sailing there.
As to answering the question... ooh err... Although that weight is in GP14 territory..

Loch Ryan SC was my local club before I moved down here to Wild West Wales 20 years ago. They have recently been building up interest again (I guess Rhory you're one of the new guys). Fantastic to see the old place on the up again.

Dinghy fleets have always been a wee bit of a random selection there for some reason. There was a big fleet of Flying Fifteens many years ago.

We raced the school GP14s when I were a lad then I had an Express, You never realy get a big sea running unless the wind is blowing hard from the toon.

I always fancied a Scorpion or a Hornet, I think Fred Fuller had a Scorpion at one time.

Whatever you buy enjoy the club.