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Merlinboy View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more


Joined: 03 Jul 06
Location: United Kingdom
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Posts: 3169 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Merlinboy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Graduate
    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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ifoxwell View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more
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Joined: 05 Jan 06
Location: Hoo
Online Status: Offline
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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Rupert View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more


Joined: 11 Aug 04
Location: Whitefriars sc
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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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drifter View Drop Down
Posting king
Posting king


Joined: 09 Jun 08
Location: Oxfordshire
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Posts: 177 		Post Options Post Options   Quote drifter Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post 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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