What single hander for tall heavy person?
Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: General
Forum Name: Choosing a boat
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URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=10981
Printed Date: 05 Aug 25 at 2:11pm
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Topic: What single hander for tall heavy person?
Posted By: Samsailing
Subject: What single hander for tall heavy person?
Date Posted: 20 Jul 13 at 8:46pm
Hi all
I sail a medium sized inland lake that has the usual range of inland sailing conditions for the south west uk
I have a wayfarer dinghy for family sailing but would like a single hander thats more fun
I believe the obveouis choice would be the phantom but i feel drawn to the contender
Have seen many videos and pics of it in full flight with the trapeze and it looks amazing but not sure if at 6'6 tall and 105kg im too big for it?
Anyone have any view on this or recomendations for any other suitable craft
Many thanks
Sam
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Replies:
Posted By: Rupert
Date Posted: 20 Jul 13 at 9:49pm
Pretty sure there are people that big in the Contender fleet. Sounds like fun.
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Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686
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Posted By: Samsailing
Date Posted: 20 Jul 13 at 10:34pm
Cool thanks Rupert hoping some of them might be able to confirm
Also i can understand how being too light would give problens controling a boat in strong wind but how does being too heavy effect things appart from slowing you down
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Posted By: Andymac
Date Posted: 21 Jul 13 at 7:13pm
Originally posted by Samsailing
I believe the obveouis choice would be the phantom but i feel drawn to the contender
Anyone have any view on this or recomendations for any other suitable craft
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Just as obvious choice for your height/weight would be a Finn if you want to hike, or a D1 if you fancy an assymetric kite as well (drop Ruscoe a line, he could tell you about trial sails).
There's going to be a list of pros and cons for each boat mentioned, not least budget! and any other suggestions put your way. Try and contact class representatives and see if you can possibly get trial sails, unless there is someone at your club that has one and willing to let you have a go.
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Posted By: Newuk
Date Posted: 21 Jul 13 at 9:21pm
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thanks Andymac for adding those to the mix, I'm not familer with the Finn whats the differencebetween this and the Phantom as at a glance it seems very similer
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Posted By: yellowwelly
Date Posted: 21 Jul 13 at 9:21pm
Contender- inland? A bit big tbh, but if you really want one, try one, just don't expect to do so great on handicap
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Posted By: SUGmeister
Date Posted: 21 Jul 13 at 10:46pm
Being only 6ft5 but weighing 112 kg have pretty much given up on finding a singlehander for a tall heavy person. Today's Phantoms with their super refined rigs can be sailed by diminutive 6 footers and will guarantee to stuff your knees.
I would look in the direction of a K1 keelboat if your lake had sufficiently deep water.
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Posted By: yellowwelly
Date Posted: 21 Jul 13 at 10:51pm
Sugs, just a thought....
Icon - singlehanded?
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Posted By: Newuk
Date Posted: 22 Jul 13 at 1:07pm
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Hi thanks for the suggestions,
Yellowwelly, When you say contender bit too big for inland what do you mean by that as i understand the boat to be only 16' long. I understand the handicap will hold me back in any races
I think if I don't go for the contender I would get a Phantom as seems to be designed for my weight range
but i guess my main question is would i be too heavy for a contender?
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Posted By: yellowwelly
Date Posted: 22 Jul 13 at 1:24pm
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Don't get me wrong, Contenders are very nice boats... they are even better in a blow. If you are heavy, increase that wind by a bit. If you are heavy and not as nimble as you once were, remember that inland 'heavy wind equals gusty'... not ideal when trapping and hitting a lull.
The other thing- boom height. There's not much clearance on a Contender. You risk getting wedged!!!!
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Posted By: gordon1277
Date Posted: 22 Jul 13 at 2:01pm
Hi
I made the choice between Finn and Phantom on my ability to haul them up our slip.
Phantom is just over 60kg, Finn 100kg plus.
Finn is deeper so better for the legs downwind.
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Gordon
Lossc
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Posted By: Newuk
Date Posted: 22 Jul 13 at 4:06pm
Originally posted by yellowwelly
Don't get me wrong, Contenders are very nice boats... they are even better in a blow. If you are heavy, increase that wind by a bit. If you are heavy and not as nimble as you once were, remember that inland 'heavy wind equals gusty'... not ideal when trapping and hitting a lull.
The other thing- boom height. There's not much clearance on a Contender. You risk getting wedged!!!!
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Thanks I'm fit and as nimble as a person my height can be, I had a walk round the boat park yesterday and there were a couple contenders there so will put a notice up on the board to see if i can get a test sail on one
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Posted By: Samsailing
Date Posted: 22 Jul 13 at 10:13pm
Sure, having read up on the Finn the Phantom does look a better boat for me also i dont think i have seen anyone sailing a finn at my lake but there are a few phantom sailers there
I know i will end up with a phantom eventualky but would love a contender first looks lime a lot of fun
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Posted By: yellowwelly
Date Posted: 22 Jul 13 at 10:39pm
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Go for it... but if you've got phantoms to race against don't underestimate the value someone else to properly race against brings to the love of our sport.
As for the Finn, I don't think it's fair to categorise one as better than the other. For sure, I would personally prefer a Finn to a Phantom, despite the weight difference- those unstayed rigs are just something to marvel and the build quality of the modern Devoti boat is just phenomenal!
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Posted By: winging it
Date Posted: 23 Jul 13 at 9:41am
If I were that tall I'd far rather be in a Finn or a Contender than a phantom. Gil Wooley over in the states is that size and happily sails his contender. As do some heavy Brits and some tall Europeans.It's like any boat, you accep you'll suffer when it's light and smile when it's windy.
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the same, but different...
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Posted By: Newuk
Date Posted: 23 Jul 13 at 1:08pm
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I like that, thanks. it puts it into perspective.
I also remember a previous comment mentioning about heavy wind in land = gusty which is very true for the lake i sail at
how much drama is trapeze a single helm in gusty conditions?
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Posted By: gordon1277
Date Posted: 23 Jul 13 at 4:10pm
Hi NEW
If you want to try a Phantom Wimbleball has a few, or Castle cove I think, but if you are anywhere near the Solent Please let me know and you can have a go in mine.
Despite some negative comments the Phantom has a lot off tall people sailing even me at a dwarf like 6'2" and over 100kg. (Sorry GRF)
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Gordon
Lossc
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Posted By: yellowwelly
Date Posted: 23 Jul 13 at 4:18pm
Originally posted by Newuk
I like that, thanks. it puts it into perspective.
I also remember a previous comment mentioning about heavy wind in land = gusty which is very true for the lake i sail at
how much drama is trapeze a single helm in gusty conditions? |
it's a personal question- I find it quite a lot of drama, I'm not quick enough in the lulls and capsize to windward!!!! But then I'm sh*t, don't get loads of time on the water and am highly impatient when someone mentions 'learning curves'- favouring boats you jump and progressively get better at through tactics and subtle dialling-in, rather than set piece boat handling.
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Posted By: rb_stretch
Date Posted: 24 Jul 13 at 9:01pm
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I'm the same height as you, but just a bit lighter at 97kg and sail a Phantom. The size of the cockpit is a revelation after being hunched up in so many other boats. I would also love a Contender, but I do think that a mid sized inland location (which is what I sail on as well) is just too sheltered to make the most of a Contender. At our height and weight (with the much higher leverage) windward capsizes are a fair bit more frequent as well.
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Posted By: Late starter
Date Posted: 25 Jul 13 at 9:50am
The old single floor Phantoms were great boats for those of us who are
tall & heavy. However, I found the self drainers to be way less
comfortable, but then my knees are shot after too many years Laser
sailing !
I think there's a lot of agreement that in terms of
being competitive on a pond a modern Phantom takes some beating for big
guys, but as this thread has shown there are some different views around
how comfortable they are. I guess the amount of pain you're prepared to
take is one factor ! The best course of action to me would be to
try and get a demo ride, I've always found the Phantom guys to be a
friendly bunch so I'm sure this wouldn't be a problem.
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Posted By: gordon1277
Date Posted: 25 Jul 13 at 10:16am
Hi Latestarter
Have a look at the JJ boats web site he does a stunning version of the double bottom Phantom with deep cockpit well where your legs go.
Also easy to perch on down wind.
Could solve all your reservations if not a cheap option.
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Gordon
Lossc
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