29er?

Hey everyone. I recently got an offer from a good mate of mine (who also happens to be a very good sailor) who was thinking of purchasing a 29er. He asked if I wanted to sail it with him (if he was to get it), and also asked if I would mind paying half of it.
I have been after a new boat for ages, and the 29er seems like a fantastic boat. He weighs 55 KG and I weigh 45KG (we are 13 year old boys, so we aren't gonna be top end of the scale), so in total we weigh 100KG, but we were gonna buy the boat at the end of the season, store it away until the summer and then sail it then (by which times we should have gained 5KG, or what ever each, putting out weigh up to 110'ish KG). 100KG is the bottom of the scale for sailing a 29er I think (correct me if I am wrong), and if we were 110KG then it should be alright? I was thinking that I would helm (I have quite a lot of experience with helming) and he could crew (because he is the heaviest, so his weight is gonna make more difference on the trapeze, plus, I don't have much trapezing experience). I reckon that we could sail the boat fine (with practice), and we aren't really gonna be sailing when its really windy (until we get heavier), so it seems like a really good choice. I have found 29ers for 2 grand, which we can afford, so its all good. I just need your opinions :D. Help please!

Originally posted by Rockhopper just go for it and enjoy it as for buying it now wait for the right boat to come up if you think you have found the right one then buy if not walk away and wait as i am sure more people will be selling them at the end of the season so might be worth waiting. good luck on your hunt for the right boat.

Thanks for the tips, but do you think we can handle a 29er? I think we probably could, we get on fine with boats like RS fevas, and don't find boats with a trapeze particularly difficult (topaz tres, 420 etc), so I'm pretty sure we would be fine.

Originally posted by radixon I think the 29er will be a good choice providing you both get on and have a keen interest in sailing, ie both been sailing for a while. As for the weight thing, I agree (according the the Y+Y stats) you are at the bottom however that wont stop you doing well in the boat, it would mean in the stronger winds at the moment you may struggle. Nothing wrong with spilling wind though to enjoy the boat. I'd keep an eye out on boats for sale on ApolloDuck, B+O and on the Y+Y ads for an idea of pricing and locations, take a look at one if you can before hand and ask what to look out for. This info could be on the class site. Lastly, get out there. I can guarentee you wont wait till the summer, a new boat will demand its wetting sooner rather than later.

Brilliant advice, thank you very much!

Originally posted by tmoore I am actually just moving out of my 29er for a few reasons. Im too heavy for the back of it (70kg) and i don't have a reliable crew to sail with. Mine is one of those boats around the £2k mark. When you get the 9er you must be prepared to spend a fair amount of time swimming. Especially until you get your teamwork sorted out. The rig is easy to depower and im sure at 100kg you will do fine (just pick your days to sail while you get used to it). Compared to many other boats you seem to have sailed it will be quite tippy. From the sounds of it this will be your first apparent wind boat. If you can then try one first but as a youth boat they are fantastic with plenty of scope for class racing and training against some future olympians. It will teach you a lot if you get through the initial wet stage. If you want any more info feel free to PM me and i will help as best I can. Depending on where your located i may even be able to set you up with a test sail in my boat if your interested?

Wow, thanks for the offer, that would be fantastic. We are based in West Mersea, but we could drive to where ever you are, providing it is reasonably close.