Single hander for the older man
Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: General
Forum Name: Choosing a boat
Forum Discription: Ask any questions about the sport!
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=11762
Printed Date: 05 Aug 25 at 4:36am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Single hander for the older man
Posted By: Davidbs
Subject: Single hander for the older man
Date Posted: 18 Nov 14 at 6:30pm
|
I am thinking of returning to dingy sailing after a 45 year gap, but can't stand the thought of capsizes and hate wetsuits! Can anyone recommend a reasonably fast, but stable and cheap single hander? I used to sail a Minisail, and always fancied a Toy, but both would be a bit OTT for me now. 13.5 stone and 6ft if that helps. |
Replies:
Posted By: Medway Maniac
Date Posted: 18 Nov 14 at 6:53pm
|
K1 http://www.k1sailing.com/" rel="nofollow - http://www.k1sailing.com/ ------------- http://www.wilsoniansc.org.uk" rel="nofollow - Wilsonian SC http://www.3000class.org.uk" rel="nofollow - 3000 Class |
Posted By: Davidbs
Date Posted: 18 Nov 14 at 8:52pm
|
Thanks, but way out of my league, pricewise. Haven't come across these before - are they really not tippy?
|
Posted By: Davidbs
Date Posted: 18 Nov 14 at 8:54pm
|
Aah! just took a look at your site - keel! They would be perfect except for the price - thank you.
|
Posted By: Rupert
Date Posted: 18 Nov 14 at 9:06pm
|
Maybe you should look at a small 2 hander, such as a Firefly or Graduate, to sail by yourself, which are more "boat like" than most singlehanders. You'd still need to choose your weather, though. Or, slower but safer are the Mirror, Gull, Heron type boats, which are easy to sail singlehanded. ------------- Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686 |
Posted By: JimC
Date Posted: 18 Nov 14 at 9:22pm
|
I think you should consider the inevitable Solo.
|
Posted By: balladsailor
Date Posted: 19 Nov 14 at 6:31pm
| Take a look at the Supernova. At 66 I love it, and the class association covers the full age range from teenagers to 'old guys in their 70s. On the open circuit, the veteran's trophies are hotly contested! |
Posted By: The Moo
Date Posted: 19 Nov 14 at 7:09pm
| Sprint 15 cat. Capsizes are rare but you will definitely need something waterproof to wear if not a wetsuit. Another class favored by the more mature sailor. |
Posted By: Jack Sparrow
Date Posted: 19 Nov 14 at 7:38pm
|
http://www.eastdorsetsailingclub.co.uk/2014/06/foxer-sailing-dinghy-with-combi-trailer/ there's a Foxer Dinghy @ East Dorset Sailing Club For Sale. ------------- http://www.uk3-7class.org/index.html" rel="nofollow - Farr 3.7 Class Website https://www.facebook.com/groups/1092602470772759/" rel="nofollow - Farr 3.7 Building - Facebook Group |
Posted By: Do Different
Date Posted: 19 Nov 14 at 8:14pm
|
Really really, I don't want to come across as being mean but if you "can't stand the thought of capsizes" why do you want a dinghy? One day you will and if it's your one big dread chances are it may not go well. Medway Maniac's suggestion of a K1 seems the best to fit your criteria. Perhaps I am taking your words too literally, if so I apologise .
|
Posted By: Jack Sparrow
Date Posted: 19 Nov 14 at 9:55pm
|
I doubt anyone can capsize a Foxer. The guys from Dorset. There's one for sale at East Dorset Sail Club. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQApnVGF1vE ------------- http://www.uk3-7class.org/index.html" rel="nofollow - Farr 3.7 Class Website https://www.facebook.com/groups/1092602470772759/" rel="nofollow - Farr 3.7 Building - Facebook Group |
Posted By: wombat88
Date Posted: 19 Nov 14 at 10:44pm
|
I'm in my 60s and have just come back to dinghy sailing. With a helpful crew we sail an ancient Merlin. A couple of hours in that and I am in pain however exciting it is. By myself I sail a Tideway which may be a bit staid for you. I have thought about Solos/OKs etc to single hand but realise that I like a dinghy I can sit in rather than on and one in which one can be comfortable.
The Firefly might be a compromise between Merlin and Tideway but I haven't sailed one for a very long time...but I am tempted. Depends where you are and what you want to do. The problem with getting older is not what you can do on the water it is what you can manage ashore. |
Posted By: Davidbs
Date Posted: 20 Nov 14 at 7:29am
|
Thank you Newbie, I agree with your comment about what one can do ashore as strength ebbs away. However, I am really looking for a single hander. Merlins and Fireflies are not cut out for one person sailing, and yes, the Tideway is a bit boring. I do want to race, just not spend all my time in the water! Thanks for your input David
|
Posted By: Davidbs
Date Posted: 20 Nov 14 at 7:32am
|
Thanks too to Jack Sparrow. The Foxers are great when there is fleet racing, such as on the Hamble, but I'll be sailing from Lyme Regis and need to join the handicap fleet. I need a balance between fast and stable - there must be an affordable dinghy that meets those criteria? Incidentally, the K1 that someone suggested looks perfect but about 5x my budget. David
|
Posted By: Davidbs
Date Posted: 20 Nov 14 at 7:39am
|
Thanks Do Different. I've sailed for over half a century, so I do understand that capsizes happen. It's just that I can do without them happening too often, as I have got used the comforts of big boats. I suppose I really need the single-handed version of a Wayfarer, if there is such a thing
|
Posted By: Davidbs
Date Posted: 20 Nov 14 at 7:47am
|
Thank you all, The Sprint 15 and the Supernova look interesting.
|
Posted By: iGRF
Date Posted: 20 Nov 14 at 9:15am
 Never a truer word written.
The old(er) boys at our lake are in Solos or Supernovas and one has just switched from a Supernova to a Streaker, which history tells me Jack Holt designed precisely for the autumnal period of his sailing life. ------------- https://www.corekite.co.uk/snow-accessories-11-c.asp" rel="nofollow - Snow Equipment Deals https://www.corekite.co.uk" rel="nofollow - New Core Kite website |
Posted By: wombat88
Date Posted: 20 Nov 14 at 9:20am
Is that a Wanderer?
|
Posted By: Medway Maniac
Date Posted: 20 Nov 14 at 10:15am
|
Wanderer is really happier with two people on board, and certainly doesn't fit the 'easy to move on land' criterion. ------------- http://www.wilsoniansc.org.uk" rel="nofollow - Wilsonian SC http://www.3000class.org.uk" rel="nofollow - 3000 Class |
Posted By: Late starter
Date Posted: 20 Nov 14 at 11:10am
| A lot of the older guys at my club have started sailing Mirrors singlehanded. Its full circle for many of the guys, who built/sailed Mirrors 40 odd years ago in some cases. |
Posted By: Jack Sparrow
Date Posted: 20 Nov 14 at 1:40pm
I would go the cat route if you are sailing out of Lyme Bay then. I would guess a K1 will be tough for a single handed launch and recovery if it's that club on the Beach you are sailing from. ------------- http://www.uk3-7class.org/index.html" rel="nofollow - Farr 3.7 Class Website https://www.facebook.com/groups/1092602470772759/" rel="nofollow - Farr 3.7 Building - Facebook Group |
Posted By: Davidbs
Date Posted: 20 Nov 14 at 4:49pm
|
Aha! I think that iGRF has hit the jackpot - if it was good enough for Jack, then a Streaker should be perfect for me. Thank you all
|
Posted By: Rupert
Date Posted: 20 Nov 14 at 5:40pm
|
A decent Streaker isn't cheap, as the class has had trouble building in wood down to weight until recently, so do make sure what you are buying isn't overly heavy. Otherwise, they are nice little boats, though they have a fairly small sail. Easily driven hull kind of makes up for that, though. ------------- Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686 |
Posted By: Medway Maniac
Date Posted: 20 Nov 14 at 6:18pm
|
This list of boat Streaker boat weights serves both as info and a warning. Choose your boat carefully. http://www.streaker-class.org.uk/boatweight.php" rel="nofollow - http://www.streaker-class.org.uk/boatweight.php Plenty of good ones out there, but don't just buy anything that comes along! ------------- http://www.wilsoniansc.org.uk" rel="nofollow - Wilsonian SC http://www.3000class.org.uk" rel="nofollow - 3000 Class |
Posted By: Davidbs
Date Posted: 21 Nov 14 at 7:36am
|
Thanks for the warnings on Streaker weights. Rupert, when did you have your Minisail? My first was No.28, sailed from Brading Haven Y.C., then I joined the firm and bought a new one, whose number I forget.
|
Posted By: NickM
Date Posted: 21 Nov 14 at 5:27pm
| At 13.5 stone You are a better weight for a Solo but they don't prosper on handicap in big swells: too short. The Streaker is 5" longer and has a proper bow. You will go like the clappers in a Streaker in a good Lyme blow but may struggle in the light stuff. |
Posted By: Rupert
Date Posted: 21 Nov 14 at 8:43pm
|
I had a Minisprint (6869, I think) in the late 80s, then an 8000 number in the early 2000s. Then 5 years ago I bought 3446, a wooden one, which I still have. Also owned several others over the last few years, but all sold on to others. Most of the current fleet of Minisails (we got 12 to the Nationals this year) are owned by "older gentlemen". Maybe you should take another look, but capsizing is quite common... no more than a Streaker or Solo, mind. ------------- Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686 |
Posted By: Davidbs
Date Posted: 21 Nov 14 at 9:22pm
|
Dear Rupert, My Minisail ownership lead to the Class Association, then to working for Richmond Marine, in about 1969. I did the 1968(I think) Nationals when we had about 50 boats. I was about 25th overall if I remember aright. Good to hear of such an enthusiast as you. I'm afraid I stopped sailing dinghies when I was about 22, and went all displacement. Good luck. Regards, David Brooke-Smith
|
Posted By: Rupert
Date Posted: 21 Nov 14 at 9:35pm
|
Lots of Minisail stuff here, but it would have been interesting to be involved with the class when it was young. http://minisail.org.uk/" rel="nofollow - http://minisail.org.uk/ and more here: http://minisailnews.blogspot.co.uk/" rel="nofollow - http://minisailnews.blogspot.co.uk/ Though I should update that last one more. My Minisail is now away for the winter, but the Lightning will be out all weather. ------------- Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686 |