That old chestnut, what dinghy!

Well after an abortive attempt at getting back on the water a couple of years ago, SWMBO is urging me to get a boat for next season, so who am I to argue  
So the requirements
I will be sailing on the river Deben in Woodbridge,Suffolk (subject to being allowed to join) so a tidal river with wind lumps and shifts typical of inland venues, and a muddy bottom with varying depths.

I'm 6' and 17st 7lb (111kg) and rather more unfit than I'd like, although not dangerously so. Indeed, both the weight and fitness are targets for improvement via sailing. I am intending to start an exercise programme, and am told I will also be dieting once the festivities are over, but having a reason to do so will be an added motivator.  I'll be 51 before the season is fully underway.

I have a modicum of experience both at the front end and with the stick, though much as I'd like to get an Int Canoe, I realise that quite aside from my fitness, my time off the water means the more radical dinghys will have to wait  

I'm interested in getting a single hander in the first instance, though a friend who is already a member of the club has mentioned he might be interested in a joint purchase of a two hander. My initial thoughts were towards a K1 or a Flying Fifteen, though the venue doesn't really lend itself to keel boat use. I also feel that getting such a boat would rather be admitting defeat, so a dry suit it is then. I'd like something with a spinikar, so thoughts of RS100 or D1 come to mind. Having said that there are a few RS300s, a couple of Fins and quite a few Streakers already at the club so maybe a spinny isn't needed. 

What of two handers though. My potential partner in crime is regularly sailing, but isn't such a magnificent (large) specimen as me in either height or girth. I suppose all up weight would be in the order of 30st tops. A third sail is a must this time. The obvious boat that springs to mind is a wayfarer, but I'd like something a bit more, well, modern. I've really not taken that much notice of recent two handers so I've no idea what's what. 

So any suggestions? 

Ta

Author	Message Share Topic Printable Version Delicious Digg Facebook Furl Google MySpace Newsvine reddit StumbleUpon Translate Twitter Windows Live Yahoo Bookmarks Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic
Beardy Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Groupie Joined: 23 Oct 09 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 64	Post Options Post Reply Quote Beardy Report Post Quote Reply Topic: That old chestnut, what dinghy! Posted: 28 Dec 11 at 8:31pm
	Well after an abortive attempt at getting back on the water a couple of years ago, SWMBO is urging me to get a boat for next season, so who am I to argue So the requirements I will be sailing on the river Deben in Woodbridge,Suffolk (subject to being allowed to join) so a tidal river with wind lumps and shifts typical of inland venues, and a muddy bottom with varying depths. I'm 6' and 17st 7lb (111kg) and rather more unfit than I'd like, although not dangerously so. Indeed, both the weight and fitness are targets for improvement via sailing. I am intending to start an exercise programme, and am told I will also be dieting once the festivities are over, but having a reason to do so will be an added motivator. I'll be 51 before the season is fully underway. I have a modicum of experience both at the front end and with the stick, though much as I'd like to get an Int Canoe, I realise that quite aside from my fitness, my time off the water means the more radical dinghys will have to wait I'm interested in getting a single hander in the first instance, though a friend who is already a member of the club has mentioned he might be interested in a joint purchase of a two hander. My initial thoughts were towards a K1 or a Flying Fifteen, though the venue doesn't really lend itself to keel boat use. I also feel that getting such a boat would rather be admitting defeat, so a dry suit it is then. I'd like something with a spinikar, so thoughts of RS100 or D1 come to mind. Having said that there are a few RS300s, a couple of Fins and quite a few Streakers already at the club so maybe a spinny isn't needed. What of two handers though. My potential partner in crime is regularly sailing, but isn't such a magnificent (large) specimen as me in either height or girth. I suppose all up weight would be in the order of 30st tops. A third sail is a must this time. The obvious boat that springs to mind is a wayfarer, but I'd like something a bit more, well, modern. I've really not taken that much notice of recent two handers so I've no idea what's what. So any suggestions? Ta
	sorting my life out, one shed at at time

rogue Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 04 Dec 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 978	Post Options Post Reply Quote rogue Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 28 Dec 11 at 9:28pm
	Get a test in a Phantom- ideal for location, weight, performance expectation.... If you don't like it, get in touch and see if Keith whatshisname has got a builder sorted for the Hadron, or alternatively speak to Mike Lyons (blaze720) on here to get yourself a half decentish Blaze Mk2 and a brand new HALO rig. Google Cirrus Raceboats for contact details. Kites are sh*t on restricted waters... Woodbridge would be a nightmare for an RS100 or D1.

Ruscoe Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 12 Jan 10 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1514	Post Options Post Reply Quote Ruscoe Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 28 Dec 11 at 9:48pm
	What other boats are sailed there? If you have RS400's racing there you would be fine in a D-one (can't comment on 100 but i am sure they are the same) Wouldn't agree kites are sh*t on restricted water, depends what you are after. I sail a D-one on a small lake and its fine, however i will never win against a smaller less canvassed boat as you can just not hold the angles. Still bloody good fun though. I guess the secret is to try them all. I agree with James regarding the Blaze/Halo setup. Try them all and see where you end up.


chrisarnell1 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Groupie Joined: 06 Sep 06 Online Status: Offline Posts: 89	Post Options Post Reply Quote chrisarnell1 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 28 Dec 11 at 10:00pm
	Single-hander - Finn seems an obvious choice especially of you have a fleet. How about a 5-oh, Osprey or FD if you want to sail a double-hander? I've only sailed an RS400 once but it seems like a great boat that carries a bit of weight well. In my experience club racing is about being in control & staying upright rather than having the "optimum" crew weight for a class - so go with what you can manage and enjoy sailing.
	RS300 393 OK GBR 21

G.R.F. Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 10 Aug 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 4028	Post Options Post Reply Quote G.R.F. Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 28 Dec 11 at 11:19pm
	River Deben? Get an Alto, they were designed by a Guy who races up there, it's a two hander loosely based on a 505 and modernised, nice easy boat to use with inexperienced crew if necessary and a great boat in the hands of more experienced types. Don't be billy no mate unless you absolutely have to..
	https://www.ease-distribution.com/

rogue Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 04 Dec 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 978	Post Options Post Reply Quote rogue Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 28 Dec 11 at 11:32pm
	Russy Woodbridge ain't no puddle- it's a tidal up river location with shallows aplenty and a daggerboarded D1 would be restricted when and where it could sail. A beautiful location though it is, it'd be a bugger for an apparent wind asymmetric.

Beardy Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Groupie Joined: 23 Oct 09 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 64	Post Options Post Reply Quote Beardy Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 28 Dec 11 at 11:47pm
	Living in Woodbridge does mean that there are excellent sailing waters aplenty. Within a 40 minute drive I can be at Alton Waters (development ground of the Alto) Felixstowe Ferry (early stomping grounds of the 5oh and the Ok) Waldringfield (home of the Firefly) and Aldebrugh. Then there's the Orwell and the Stour both stacked with sailing clubs. But one mile from my front door is the Deben Yacht Club and the convenience of such a facility is difficult to overlook, i can be on the water in the time it would take me to drive to most of the other clubs. And in truth the tidal nature of the venue mean that race days vary from weekend to weekend so as not to impact on the same domestic duty every week. Ideally Woodbridge would be a mile down river which is below the nominal drying out point, but there are no roads there
	sorting my life out, one shed at at time

G.R.F. Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 10 Aug 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 4028	Post Options Post Reply Quote G.R.F. Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 29 Dec 11 at 12:56am
	Is this deben? My boat before I bought it.. note the shallows and there are moorings as i recall from other pics.
	https://www.ease-distribution.com/

PeterV Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Posting king Joined: 24 Feb 07 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 131	Post Options Post Reply Quote PeterV Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 29 Dec 11 at 9:42am
	If there are already some Finns there then you should ask to try one. It's a comfortable boat that is very rewarding to sail and has plenty to challenfge you to develop your skills.
	PeterV Finn K197, Finn GBR564, GK29 Warsash

rogue Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 04 Dec 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 978	Post Options Post Reply Quote rogue Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 29 Dec 11 at 10:09am
	Grumpf- the Deben has several sailing options from tree lined, very tidal affected 'river' sailing in Woodbridge, through to the Ferry, which has a lovely tidal bar to chuck up some serious sh*t in an easterly/north easterly . That looks more like Waldringfield to me, by can't really tell.