As for the Vareo- I've owned 2 in the past, whilst not the best upwind performer, it is a good fun boat- especially the older cheaper ones- solid as anything.  

The added sail adds some fun factor for blatting about, and if you can justify the upgrade to the newer flatter radial cut spinnaker (now or at some point in the future), then it probably lends itself to round-the-cans club racing better than any other singlehander with an asymmetric.  

Let us know what the club currently has as fleets- if it has them.... we could then give some more detailed feedback and the pros and cons of them verses the Vareo.

I have joined the Yorkshire Dales Sailing Club, although I am not an expert but the times I have been up and crewed in the sunday racing the single sail fleet seems to be mostly lasers, a couple of toppers a phantom gets out a fair bit plus a couple of Contenders.  The club seems to sail a lot of  single and double Skiff's and vortex (which I would love to try but I think I need a season in an easier boat) There is a good 200 and 400 fleet as well.  Plus some assorted cats 

I have had a look on the boat park plan and there a a few Vareos but I have never seen them on the water.

Also I have probably been up about 15 times and I don't remember ever seeing it not blowing a gale   so that is something to consider

Otherwise seems a sensible choice along with other boats good at carrying heaverweights: Phantom, Finn and OK.

 

I was in a similar position to you just over 2 years ago. I'm fractionally heavier and taller and hadn't sailed dinghies in over 10 years. First got a cheap Solo, having considered the Vareo. Solos are not a bad boat, but I really struggled being tall, so sold it after 5 months and bought a Phantom. This was a revelation in comparison - you just can't underestimate how having a bit of space helps your sailing.

 

Personally found the RS300 mast too flexible (also not easy to just jump in), whilst the D1 is a big investment for someone just coming back in.

 

If you've got another regular Phantom sailor I would definitely go fo the Phantom then. Nothing helps your sailing better than a sailing buddy in the same boat. IMHO it is worth stretching for an Epoxy boat, but if money is tight you can get a usable boat for a lot less. If wood you can pick up some real bargains, such as the £350 one on Apolloduck.

 

 

I tend to disagree with the Vareo being unsuitable for a beginner.  I learnt to sail in a Miracle (sometimes single handed) for about a year and then moved onto the Vareo as my first single handed boat. I'd never sailed a single handed boat before and took to the Vareo without any problems.  My sailing club only sail lasers and now, recently Fevas so there was not much coaching available on how to sail the boat. 

 

Admittedly, I had to learn from my mistakes, however its an easy boat to lean on and has a relatively stable hull that can be very forgiving.  Having an open transom also makes recovery easy. Its a boat you can grow into.  First get the feel of the boat in light winds, then as confidence and experience builds up, have a go with the kite and eventually go out in stronger winds. 

 

In my opinion you get a lot of boat for your money and there are a few boats for sale.  Moreover, the RS circuit comes with the boat especially if you live in the UK.

 

However if there is a regular phantom or two sailing, then seriously, this is the best first place to start imho.

the  problem is I am very impatient to get sailing   (although as I type this looking out the window and living by Ilkley Moor the snow is sheeting down and its freezing).  there isn't really a club boat I can use apart from a couple of tired lasers.

I have persuaded the wife that a week at Minorca sailing in May will be fun, where I can try out a fair few boats, but I don't want to wait until then to start sailing again.

I will look at an old Phantom as maybe a stop gap to help get some time out on the water

 

It's worth touching base with the Phantom Class via their website and forum- very friendly chaps and will be blunter than a Ginsters cheese slice about any boat advertised, especially if someone is potentially taking the piss out of you before you go visit it with a wedge.

http://www.phantomclass.org.uk - http://www.phantomclass.org.uk

 

Yes, you look right on that. I didn't pay too much attention and just assumed Epoxy boat, then it must carbon mast as well. £2k does sound nearer the mark.

I say go for it they are quite stable and good to learn but to get the best out of them you need to hike hard not just sit on the side

Hell what do i know about them umm a little bit ___  inland champion 2006, National champ 2007,2010

Hi ajbaldwin,

 

It is probably me who you have seen in the Phantom (which I have had for eight years), albeit I didn’t sail for most of last year as I had a knee operation in July.  I haven’t sailed in recent weeks due to the ridiculously strong winds and the deep snow problems.

 

You are welcome to have a sail in my boat at any suitable time.  My boat is epoxy with a carbon rig.

 

As you are aware, the club closes down from 1^st March until 30^th April, due to the bird breeding season for Wigeons and Ringed Plovers, so there are only three sailing weekends left until next season.

 

Despite your weight and height, if you haven’t helmed for twenty years, for next season it might be a good idea to get yourself a reasonable Laser for a while (or use the ‘tired’ club Lasers) and take part in the club racing.  By doing this, you will ease yourself back into racing and increase your skills and confidence. The Laser fleet, at the club, has a really good range of Laser sailors from learners to experts.

 

There are at least three Vareos, which are occasionally raced at the club.  You might be able to get a trial sail in one of those before you commit yourself into buying a boat.

 

As an aside, although a steeper learning curve (because of the trapeze), a cheap Contender might be suitable.  There are at least three other Contenders in the club.

 

So far as relates to a Vortex – they are cheap to buy, and there are a few that are regularly raced at the club - 99% of them have a kite.  All of the Vortex National Championships, since the boat was introduced in 2000, have been won by three sailors from our club.  Personally, I think that at 95kgs, you are around 15 kgs too heavy for a Vortex.  You would also have to cope with a trapeze and (possibly) a kite but, being a catamaran, you would find it very stable and forgiving compared to other high performance boats.

 

I hope that this helps.  Introduce yourself if you see me at the club and you can arrange to have a sail in my boat, if you wish.  You can also contact me via the club website.

 

Ian  (Yorkshire Dales S.C.)