Big dad / small kid

   I've had tons of boats over the years but right now my 4 year old son is really keen to go sailing and TBH I'm struggling to think of a good boat that would suit us both. We have a Feva but really I'm a bit big for the back end of that and end up lying down in it half the time and as keen as he is I'm not sure I want to take him on the IC. I am 6'2" and 100kg+ and he is, well, four...
So i guess the requirements are:- Must be big enough that I can fit in it comfortably. Must be 'deep' enough to stop him falling (or jumping out) to easily. Must be relatively light, have reasonable sheet loads. Must be relatively stable and forgiving and if the worst happend able to be righted after a capsize by just me. A kite is not important but it would be nice to be able to race it with him over the next few years, if that is what he wants.
Thoughts so far are Tasar [I might be a bit big], 420, 505 / FD [only joking!].
Has anyone else been through this and got any decent input to help the decision process?

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KennyR Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Groupie Joined: 09 Jun 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 52	Post Options Post Reply Quote KennyR Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Big dad / small kid Posted: 27 May 09 at 12:53pm
	I've had tons of boats over the years but right now my 4 year old son is really keen to go sailing and TBH I'm struggling to think of a good boat that would suit us both. We have a Feva but really I'm a bit big for the back end of that and end up lying down in it half the time and as keen as he is I'm not sure I want to take him on the IC. I am 6'2" and 100kg+ and he is, well, four... So i guess the requirements are:- Must be big enough that I can fit in it comfortably. Must be 'deep' enough to stop him falling (or jumping out) to easily. Must be relatively light, have reasonable sheet loads. Must be relatively stable and forgiving and if the worst happend able to be righted after a capsize by just me. A kite is not important but it would be nice to be able to race it with him over the next few years, if that is what he wants. Thoughts so far are Tasar [I might be a bit big], 420, 505 / FD [only joking!]. Has anyone else been through this and got any decent input to help the decision process?

Medway Maniac Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 13 May 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 2788	Post Options Post Reply Quote Medway Maniac Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 27 May 09 at 1:00pm
	3000? Certainly in a few years, anyway. In the meantime you could helm from the wire and clean up! Edited by Medway Maniac
	Wilsonian SC 3000 Class

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: 27 May 09 at 1:23pm
	Firefly or Graduate might be possibilities. As older style boats they carry a bit more weight and the jib isn't too big. I've seen both being sailed by such combinations...

Jamie600 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 14 Jun 05 Online Status: Offline Posts: 718	Post Options Post Reply Quote Jamie600 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 27 May 09 at 1:52pm
	How about a Miracle?
	RS600 1001

laser193713 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 13 May 09 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 889	Post Options Post Reply Quote laser193713 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 27 May 09 at 1:55pm
	200? or 400? or there are a few 2000s that sail with similar helm/crew combos perhaps a wayfarer as theyre stable and managable, or a gp14... All of these are raced at our club by people in your situation

Adam MR 1137 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Posting king Joined: 10 Feb 07 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 114	Post Options Post Reply Quote Adam MR 1137 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 27 May 09 at 2:06pm
	May I second the vote for the graduate. I am 6' and 95Kg and dont feel crampt in the back of a graduate when teaching, and the jib is easily manageable in all but the heaviest of blows. They are really lovely boats to learn in. My Dad and I have just finished refurbishing ours, unfrotunately we are far to big (and old) to race it together.
	Merlin rocket 1137 OK 2049 Can be seen at WYC

Merlinboy Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 03 Jul 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 3169	Post Options Post Reply Quote Merlinboy Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 27 May 09 at 2:07pm
	I would think that a 2000 is the best shout. But if you wanted to go traditional how about an albacore?

KennyR Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Groupie Joined: 09 Jun 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 52	Post Options Post Reply Quote KennyR Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 27 May 09 at 2:10pm
	A friend actually was sailing a grad with his 8 year old son. Seem to remember him struggling a bit with space in it and he is a good bit smaller than me although quite heavy. It is not so much the weight carrying ability and having the boat's 'ar*e' dragging in the water that is the issue for us big guys, but often it's just the physical space available to move legs around and fit into the boat and on boats with round 'rolly' hulls and having narrow side decks I often find moving my weight across can roll the boat a bit much. Now that is no problem for me to control in a race situation with normal crews but in this situtaion I would really be concentrating on him and trying not to scare the little man or catch him off balance . Might go have a look at the Grad though and the RS200 is an idea though. Have played in them before and remember them being great fun. The trouble with GPs and the like are they are big heavy boats with big sheet loads and from what I remember a pain if they fall over. I'll be effectively single handing whatever it is and I guess I'm looking for a mono with the lightness and form stability of a cat. Might go have a look at his Grad though.

laser193713 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 13 May 09 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 889	Post Options Post Reply Quote laser193713 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 27 May 09 at 2:28pm
	just remember that the 200 is actually fairly tippy, the 400 is much easier to keep upright, laser 2000s are great, safe, and ive never seen anything go as fast as a 2000 (on handicap) when its honking! they absolutely fly!

Rupert Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 11 Aug 04 Location: Whitefriars sc Online Status: Offline Posts: 8956	Post Options Post Reply Quote Rupert Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 27 May 09 at 3:00pm
	An Enterprise would seem to suit - I'm 5'5" and 70ish KG and suit the Firefly well with small kids, so I'd have thought you'd need something with a bit more volume. The Albacore would possibly be a bit big, but there are large people who sail them singlehanded at our club. Both involve bailing after a capsize, but are pretty easy to right otherwise, as they float fairly low on their sides.
	Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686