Cat vs monohull: Sprint 15 or Laser 2000

   Looking for a boat to race at Grafham with my 10 year old daughter. She's sailed for four years in Oppies and Topper, but not ready to race at Grafham on her own. I'm 6ft, 16st returning to racing after 20 years - raced Lasers and Fireballs as a more slender youth.  
Grafham offers few options for us to race against similar boats, with Sprint 15 and Laser 2000 being the obvious choices. (also considered rs 500 as more interesting option) My daughter has seen the Sprint 15s with children trapezing and likes the look. But I've always had a prejudice against cats as not real sailing. And yet, Grafham would seem the ideal place to give cats a try. 

How different is cat sailing? Will I regret going over to the other side? 

Thanks,

Simon

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SimonPJ Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 29 May 12 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5	Post Options Post Reply Quote SimonPJ Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Cat vs monohull: Sprint 15 or Laser 2000 Posted: 29 May 12 at 8:08am
	Looking for a boat to race at Grafham with my 10 year old daughter. She's sailed for four years in Oppies and Topper, but not ready to race at Grafham on her own. I'm 6ft, 16st returning to racing after 20 years - raced Lasers and Fireballs as a more slender youth. Grafham offers few options for us to race against similar boats, with Sprint 15 and Laser 2000 being the obvious choices. (also considered rs 500 as more interesting option) My daughter has seen the Sprint 15s with children trapezing and likes the look. But I've always had a prejudice against cats as not real sailing. And yet, Grafham would seem the ideal place to give cats a try. How different is cat sailing? Will I regret going over to the other side? Thanks, Simon

Contender443 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 01 Oct 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1211	Post Options Post Reply Quote Contender443 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 29 May 12 at 12:59pm
	I think 2 of you on a Sprint 15 will soon get bored. A Laser 2000 offers 3 sails to work with and your daughter can gradually do more of the work. I had a RS200 which I sailed with my daughter when she was only 7 or 8. I hoisted the kite and she controlled it provided it was not too windy. I think the 500 will be too much for now but it depends on your daughters size.
	Bonnie Lass Contender 1764

Mister Nick Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 01 Aug 09 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 389	Post Options Post Reply Quote Mister Nick Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 29 May 12 at 6:40pm
	I'd go with the 2000 :) It has a kite so it'll be a bit more interesting, and I'm not a huge fan of cats anyway. They just look funny. :/ To be honest, I think an RS500 would be too much. I'm not convinced your daughter would be strong enough to trim the kite and do all the controls etc. On top of that, it is a fast boat and it'll tip you in if one of you screws up and you wouldn't want to put her off sailing by biting off more than she can chew. :P Edited by Mister Nick - 29 May 12 at 6:44pm

r2d2 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 29 Sep 11 Online Status: Offline Posts: 350	Post Options Post Reply Quote r2d2 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 29 May 12 at 7:06pm
	there are also some friendly/nice/good L2K sailors at Grafham

SimonPJ Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 29 May 12 Online Status: Offline Posts: 5	Post Options Post Reply Quote SimonPJ Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 29 May 12 at 9:36pm
	Thanks all. You've confirmed my feeling that we would have less to learn if we go down the cat route. (Though I'm sure if any cat sailors were to weigh in they might have a different opinion.) I'll see if we can arrange a try in an RS 200. Laser 2000 probably is a good option given the reasonable number at Grafham. But we have sailed L2K's together, and spent a lot of time cruising around in the family Wayfarer - and it would be nice to move on to something more likely to respond to my daughter's inputs. Cheers, Simon

Pike Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 07 Nov 10 Online Status: Offline Posts: 11	Post Options Post Reply Quote Pike Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 01 Jun 12 at 4:58pm
	Slightly biased cat sailor opinion The Sprint 15 does have the advantage that you can also race it on your own either una rig or with the jib and trapeze if your daughter didn't fancy going with you. I've got one myself which I race on my own and occasionally with my 10 year old daughter which she loves particular when the wind is up. One thing to mention is that technically sailing two up you can't use the trapeze. Never really understood the whole 'cats aren't real sailing' thing from the half boat sailors , don't be scared to try one you might be pleasantly surprised Also another option to consider , I think you weights combined would probably enough for a Dart 18 and then the crew can use the trapeze whilst racing. Edited by Pike - 01 Jun 12 at 5:08pm

ASok Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 26 Sep 07 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 739	Post Options Post Reply Quote ASok Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 04 Jun 12 at 12:41pm
	Sorry late to this one - lets not go down the 'sailing cats isn't real racing' or any of that nonsense. Racing or sailing cats is fast, easy and very rewarding. I have seen cats being sailed faster than most other dinghies on the water whilst the helm(dad) is doing all the work and the crew (daughter) is getting the flask out for a pre-race brew. A Sprint or Dart (15 or 18) are enjoyable to sail and very stable. Don't get put off pitchpoling or troublesome capsize recovery - its a rare event. In comparison, a dinghy can feel much tippier and unstable, which could impact confidence?? Or maybe not? I think it comes down to what you feel is best for your daughter and you. Have you tried both together? I took my niece (8yrs) out for a sail and whilst she was fine on the Dart in light wind, I think she preferred the experience of sitting in a dinghy rather than on the tramp of a cat. I'd recommend trying both and seeing what suits. If there is not much in it then I'd suggest something that you'd be happy sailing alone, because there may be times that she's not keen.