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drifter View Drop Down
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Joined: 09 Jun 08
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Posts: 177 		Post Options Post Options   Quote drifter Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Graduate
    Posted: 26 Jan 09 at 1:19pm

Originally posted by JimC

There's a *very* good sailor at our club who sails one with his youngster. The lads older than 4, but I wouldn't have thought more than 6 or 7. The boat is 277something: I don't know how old that is, not new I don't think, though its got very nice new rags on. They are quite devastatingly quick in the lighter stuff and have hideously embarrassed pretty much every one of us in their preferred conditions. However they just got a top 10 result at the BM which makes the rest of us feel a bit better!

I know who you mean-he is very good! That boat was built in 1978 according to the Graduate database. Grads do have a long competitive life. And a handicap bandit in the lighter stuff, particularly inland.
Stewart
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Rupert View Drop Down
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Posts: 8956 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Rupert Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Jan 09 at 4:31pm
As a Firefly sailor with small kids I'm in a very similar position. We own a Mirror which the 8 year old feels happy helming, and the Firefly (which fits the same role as the Grad) which he is happiest crewing. He started crewing in races a couple of years ago given the right weather, and my 6 year old has started too. We also own a Puffin for the early learning process and for rowing around in and being silly. It is a fair amount more comfy for an adult than an Oppi, and enough smaller than the Mirror for the kids to handle it themselves more easily on the land.
Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686
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ifoxwell View Drop Down
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Posts: 669 		Post Options Post Options   Quote ifoxwell Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Jan 09 at 8:45am

I'm a current Grad sailor and must say that if your primary target is a boat for your 4 year old then you should look at a mirror HOWEVER

If its a boat for you sail that you children can enjoy as well, then a Grad would be a much better bet.

There is plenty of room in them and a reasonable amount of sail, yet they are easily managed and as said many are routinly sailed single handed. So if your children just want to come along for the ride then thats fine, however if they want to join in then they are a nice stable platform from which to learn on.

And as has already been mentioned. The class is growing again now. There is a lot of interest in the fleet from past owners (like myself) that are returning and new owners that realise that they offer exceptional value for money, good racing and a friendly fleet you will not find.

Ian

 
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Merlinboy View Drop Down
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Posts: 3169 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Merlinboy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 Jan 09 at 11:20pm
i used to on 2718 back in the early 90's she was an awesome boat, and with my (at the time lightweight) devastatingly quick!  We won most thing at our club with me crewing!  I was thinking of one to get my little girl into sooner rather then later, you wont be disappointed!
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HannahJ View Drop Down
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Posts: 861 		Post Options Post Options   Quote HannahJ Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 Jan 09 at 8:08pm
Mirror! Much bigger youth scene ( I think?) and RYA backing as well as it's own training and racing programme if she gets interested.
MIRROR 64799 "Dolphin"
The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist hopes it will change; the realist adjusts the sail
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craiggo View Drop Down
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Posts: 1810 		Post Options Post Options   Quote craiggo Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 Jan 09 at 5:18pm
Once your little one is capable of taking a Mirror out with her Brother she will almost definately be capable of taking the Grad out as long as its not blowing old boots, I remember taking my dads out when I was 7or8 with my Cousin crewing.

2596 looks a good solid boat, although not necessarily in full race spec it will do the job perfectly.
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dics View Drop Down
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Posts: 317 		Post Options Post Options   Quote dics Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 Jan 09 at 4:31pm
It sounds good and I am not hell bent on getting her into the boat and sailing asap either. Even if she spends more time playing in the boat on the front lawn rather than on the water that is a great start in getting a child familiar and comfortable with a boat. My only reseveration is that she will not grow into it for some time prompting me to buy her another boat sooner rather than later. Whereas something like a Mirror she will be able to get sailing and once she is a little older take it out herself and with her brother while I revert back to 300ing. But they do seem to be a good buy and look good enough to do some estuary cruising and a picnic for the little ones plus Dolly. I guess as boats go it's cheap enough not to loose out.
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Isis View Drop Down
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Posts: 2753 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Isis Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 Jan 09 at 4:17pm
I spent a lot of time in the front of a Grad when I was a little 'un... Had a lot of fun in them. Seem to remember them having a fairly large jib for their size but ive not seen one in the flesh for years... definantly dont remember that being a problem, though it did need an extra tug from the helm to get the last inch or two in in the windy stuff occasionaly.
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stuarthop View Drop Down
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Posts: 1040 		Post Options Post Options   Quote stuarthop Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 Jan 09 at 4:15pm
You can also get new rules grad sails from alverbanks
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JimC View Drop Down
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Posts: 6662 		Post Options Post Options   Quote JimC Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 Jan 09 at 4:10pm
There's a *very* good sailor at our club who sails one with his youngster. The lads older than 4, but I wouldn't have thought more than 6 or 7. The boat is 277something: I don't know how old that is, not new I don't think, though its got very nice new rags on. They are quite devastatingly quick in the lighter stuff and have hideously embarrassed pretty much every one of us in their preferred conditions. However they just got a top 10 result at the BM which makes the rest of us feel a bit better!
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