Selecting a new Dinghy

   Ummm just to pile in late here . . lostatsea, are you expecting/hoping to race?  It seems to me that all the answers here assume that the answer is 'yes'. 
If 'no', then think again . . . getting a non-extreme cat like the Hobie or Dart 16 to sail around in for jollies is probably fine . . getting an RS400 for cruising would be a handful, and quite a big cash investment, even second-hand . .  .and getting a 505 or a L4000 would be crazy, IMHO, given your relative lack of experience.
If you DO think you might fancy racing, and want a boat that has some pace without being too much of a handful, then any of the recommendations here are great, with two provisos:
1) try before you buy, either on a Neilson holiday or locally, and try racing (crewing for another sailor would be good) to see if it's for you
2) take account of where you will be able to race, and what classes are raced there.  This will massively influence how much you enjoy the sport, WAY beyond the choice between say an Osprey,a Fireball and a L3000.
If you don't want to race, ask yourself the question - am I going to sail for jollies once or twice a month, or am I going to enjoy sailing every week and really developing my skills?  If the former, then a reasonably stable boat like the Laser2000 or Lark might be right up your street.  If the latter, then go for one of the more 'race-oriented' boats here.
Just to re-iterate - I have seen lots of people give up on sailing and leave expensive boats mouldering at the waters edge because they haven't found a way to make it fit in with their daily/weekly/monthly lifestyle - have a good hard think about this before you splash your cash!
Good luck,

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grimupnorth Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Groupie Joined: 08 Dec 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 48	Post Options Post Reply Quote grimupnorth Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Selecting a new Dinghy Posted: 28 Jul 06 at 3:56pm
	Ummm just to pile in late here . . lostatsea, are you expecting/hoping to race? It seems to me that all the answers here assume that the answer is 'yes'. If 'no', then think again . . . getting a non-extreme cat like the Hobie or Dart 16 to sail around in for jollies is probably fine . . getting an RS400 for cruising would be a handful, and quite a big cash investment, even second-hand . . .and getting a 505 or a L4000 would be crazy, IMHO, given your relative lack of experience. If you DO think you might fancy racing, and want a boat that has some pace without being too much of a handful, then any of the recommendations here are great, with two provisos: 1) try before you buy, either on a Neilson holiday or locally, and try racing (crewing for another sailor would be good) to see if it's for you 2) take account of where you will be able to race, and what classes are raced there. This will massively influence how much you enjoy the sport, WAY beyond the choice between say an Osprey,a Fireball and a L3000. If you don't want to race, ask yourself the question - am I going to sail for jollies once or twice a month, or am I going to enjoy sailing every week and really developing my skills? If the former, then a reasonably stable boat like the Laser2000 or Lark might be right up your street. If the latter, then go for one of the more 'race-oriented' boats here. Just to re-iterate - I have seen lots of people give up on sailing and leave expensive boats mouldering at the waters edge because they haven't found a way to make it fit in with their daily/weekly/monthly lifestyle - have a good hard think about this before you splash your cash! Good luck,

lostatsea Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 22 Jul 06 Online Status: Offline Posts: 31	Post Options Post Reply Quote lostatsea Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 28 Jul 06 at 7:58pm
	Thanks for the input, I really appreciate it and I do try to take onboard all the advice. As far as how often we sail is concerned, at the moment we have been sailing every week either with a friend of mine in his laser II or by hiring boats at the RYA center. Unfortunately this is getting pretty expensive, hence the thoughts on purchasing a dinghy of our own. I believe therefore that (weather depending) we would hope to sail at least once a week, perhaps more. I realise we are only beginners and accept there are limitations to the type of boat we can sail, however having taken part in what can only be descibed as purely for fun type race we found it to be very addictive, and though we are not ready for proper club racing we would very much like to get good enough to participate in perhaps some more friendly races. I guess I'm a bit of aspeed freak but I really loved it when we got the laser II planing. Hence I did not really wish to buy a family type boat. Sorry this is long winded but I hope it might help give an insight into the type of dinghy that would suit us best. As usual all suggestions are welcome. Thanks

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: 28 Jul 06 at 10:26pm
	Sounds to me like you're ready for club racing now - it is where one starts racing, after all. Sure, there will be hot shots out there too, but it's for them to be tolerant so long as you aren't claiming rights of way you don't have (like I did in my first race!) I reckon you should try an RS400 - forgiving if you get it wrong, fast if you get it right. But it would be good for both of you to get some crewing in with experienced sailors at first - it'll speed your progress in the long term.

mike ellis Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 30 Dec 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 2339	Post Options Post Reply Quote mike ellis Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 31 Jul 06 at 3:38pm
	im back again and having read through all this i realized noones suggested the GP14 i know its an old boat but it has a symetric kite, will keep going in a blow, can be cruised in if you don't like racing after all and is comfortable to hike from (having just done a week in one im fairly sure about this).
	600 732, will call it Sticks and Stones when i get round to it. Also International 14, 1318

HannahJ Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 23 Jul 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 861	Post Options Post Reply Quote HannahJ Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 31 Jul 06 at 7:02pm
	Yes, and there are loads of them in big fleets around the country. The new Speed boats are very far from "old boats"...
	MIRROR 64799 "Dolphin" The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist hopes it will change; the realist adjusts the sail

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: 31 Jul 06 at 7:22pm
	Might I suggest that if Lostatsea finds a Wayfarer too slow/dull, a GP is hardly a step forward. A nice enough boat in its way, maybe a little livelier, but little lighter and actually slower. Edited by Medway Maniac

lostatsea Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 22 Jul 06 Online Status: Offline Posts: 31	Post Options Post Reply Quote lostatsea Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 31 Jul 06 at 8:04pm
	Don't get me wrong the wayfarer is a great boat and I'm sure we could continue to learn loads by sailing it. The trouble is since Iv'e been having a go in a laser II the Wayfarer just feels to slow to respond. Also I really wan't a dinghy that can plane easily, I'm quite addicted to speed!!. I've also tried an Osprey which basilcally felt like a small wayferer (took me a while to get used to the rear sheet!), again it just didn't feel right, a bit like driving a family saloon compared with a hot hatch. I think the RS400 looks like a good dinghy so provided I can handle one I'm hoping to have a go as soon as possible (still practising as often as possible so I don't look like a complete idiot when I mess it all up!!) Anyway keep the suggestions coming, its great to hear so many views and opinions. Thanks

lostatsea Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 22 Jul 06 Online Status: Offline Posts: 31	Post Options Post Reply Quote lostatsea Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 31 Jul 06 at 8:11pm
	Apologies before someone picks up on my last post. It wasn't an Osprey I tried it was a Pacer, I think I'm still asleep from getting home from work!!. I'm sure all the Osprey sailors were about beat me up.

mike ellis Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 30 Dec 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 2339	Post Options Post Reply Quote mike ellis Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 31 Jul 06 at 8:36pm
	GPs plane and they are quite responsive compared to wayfarers. they're not slow boats once the wind is up and would be good on the sea.
	600 732, will call it Sticks and Stones when i get round to it. Also International 14, 1318