Single / Two hander for lightweight adults
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=12363
Printed Date: 05 Aug 25 at 5:16am
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Topic: Single / Two hander for lightweight adults
Posted By: jonathanv
Subject: Single / Two hander for lightweight adults
Date Posted: 11 Apr 16 at 6:36pm
I'm re-entering sailing after not having sailed for about 10 years. I'm looking for an open boat that I can progress in but also sail with my girlfriend who is just starting to learn how to sail. Also not looking to break the bank, so a good second-hand market would be nice. Low maintenance would be a plus too.
We are both around 1m70 / 5ft7 tall and weigh 55-60kg / 120-130lbs / 9-9.5 stone each, so we are a light crew.
I've looked at a Laser 2000 which seems to be a good boat to progress in; stable for while my girlfriend learns and then we can grow into adding the spinnaker. But probably too heavy for me to single hand I think (I expect I'd have trouble getting it up the slipway on my own...).
It would be nice if I could sail it single-handed but I understand I might be looking for too much in one boat, especially given my weight. In that case I'd really appreciate some suggestions for both a nice single hander and a two hander.
For a single-hander I've considered a Laser 4.7/Radial
For a two-hander
- as mentioned the L2K looks a nice fit
- the RS Feva I think is out of our weight range.
- the Vago looks like its in the right weight range but maybe a bit tricky for my girlfriend to start in (and I'm probably a bit rusty too)
Perhaps a Radial and a L2K? Seems like a good match and there's plenty of good deals on both. Or a Topper Topaz with all the rigging variations?
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Replies:
Posted By: Rupert
Date Posted: 11 Apr 16 at 7:11pm
Take a look at the Comet Versa, too.
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Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686
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Posted By: JimC
Date Posted: 11 Apr 16 at 7:21pm
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There's a lot to be said for a dedicated singlehander and using a club boat as the two hander.
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Posted By: sawman
Date Posted: 11 Apr 16 at 8:07pm
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The Miracle would be a great double hander for lightweights, as a boat it;s light and easily handled both on shore and on the water, but surprisingly capable, and once you are back in the sailing groove will give a great racing experience, an easy handled symmetric spinnaker is another skill to learn and will keep you both busy. They can be sailed single handed too. Low maintenance and low budget could be an issue, there aren't many GRP miracles around, although if taken care of a wooden boat need not be very high maintenance - just keep on top of little jobs. There is a very tidy wooden boat for about £1k on the facebook page "dinghies and dinghy boats for sale", and my own FRP and wood composite is there too, but might be over your budget
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Posted By: jonathanv
Date Posted: 11 Apr 16 at 8:30pm
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Thanks, I appreciate the broad answer and lateral thinking. I've sailed a Mirror originally and although I enjoy wooden boats, I'm less keen on owning them. Maybe I should clarify my budget: I can go for 2000 - 2500 if it's neat and complete but can't afford new (or very recent classes as they are probably above budget). I've seen a neat L2K from 2002 for about 2000.
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Posted By: patj
Date Posted: 11 Apr 16 at 9:03pm
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The Lark is great if you want a good social scene in the class and cheap second hand boats that are GRP and easily maintained. Lots of ladies in the class too both helming and crewing so your girlfriend would be welcomed and encouraged.
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Posted By: Do Different
Date Posted: 11 Apr 16 at 9:53pm
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2nd the Miracle. Simply a very nice boat for lightweights, versatile and performs equally well in both light and heavy breezes.
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Posted By: iGRF
Date Posted: 11 Apr 16 at 9:59pm
Originally posted by jonathanv
Thanks, I appreciate the broad answer and lateral thinking. I've sailed a Mirror originally and although I enjoy wooden boats, I'm less keen on owning them. Maybe I should clarify my budget: I can go for 2000 - 2500 if it's neat and complete but can't afford new (or very recent classes as they are probably above budget). I've seen a neat L2K from 2002 for about 2000. |
Better go for an L3k if you want to single hand it occasionally, I've seen them rigged and run single handed, cut my teeth in one with my daughter.
Oh and perlease don't listen to all that chatter about that sailing shoebox that is a Miracle it floats at all.
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Posted By: jonathanv
Date Posted: 11 Apr 16 at 10:54pm
Can someone speak to a Topaz Vibe? Weight range seems right and ability to upgrade the rig and use it as a trainer seems interesting. There are lots for sale I see too.
I'll take a look at the l3k too.
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Posted By: jonathanv
Date Posted: 20 Apr 16 at 11:32pm
OK, the L3k doesn't have much of a second hand market so I think I'll pass on that.
I had a look at a nice laser with 4.7 and Radial rigs but am still on the fence: would you recommend a different (plastic) singlehandedly for my weight (55-60kg) like a Topaz or RS?
For the 2 person, can anyone talk to the Vibe?
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Posted By: turnturtle
Date Posted: 21 Apr 16 at 10:19am
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The thing with the Topaz is it's a sailing school boat, or maybe the occasional private ownership for cruising. I doubt many posters on here have ever sailed one, certainly not for a prolonged period of time over different wind conditions.
The L2000 you mention is active class, with plenty of private owners racing and cruising them as either couples or adult / kid combos in lighter winds.
I'd echo JimC above though.... except also throw it out there that some clubs do offer Lasers (or similar) for taking part in the racing singlehanded. So you could always buy the family boat, then borrow the singlehander too.
Check with your club what the options are....
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Posted By: PaulPoshW
Date Posted: 21 Apr 16 at 11:05am
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Byte CII would suit your weight perfectly and has a much nicer rig than a Laser.
There is a bit of a secondhand market as people start to upgrade to newer boats, though if you look at the results from Bristol (on the homepage) it was won by one of the oldest boats in the fleet. With the worlds coming to the UK in 2018 and the fleet seeming to be growing now could be a great time to give one a try.
Double handed the 2000 is a great boat, but agree could be a little heavy to pull up the slope without a second person.
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Posted By: Rupert
Date Posted: 21 Apr 16 at 3:37pm
The Vibe never really caught on with private buyers. We have one at the club, and it looks OK,but I've never seen it sailing. Very much an institution boat.
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Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686
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Posted By: jonathanv
Date Posted: 22 Apr 16 at 9:23am
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OK, I spent a lot of time looking at boat specs and weight ranges and I think it's going to be a two-boat setup.
For the single-hander as mentioned the Byte looks the best fit for my weight/size. I also looked at the RS100 but I think that's pushing it a bit for my level of skill. Also, I read some people having issues righting these and I'm on the edge of the weight range of the smallest sail. Any thoughts? Probably something for the future.
For the two-hander, the Laser 2000 looks like a great option. I've also read a lot of good things on the RS200 for our weight range but is it something to start in with a beginner?
Alternative seems to be the Laser Vago but I think that's too advanced for us to start in. As mentioned the Vibe isn't sailed that much but I've read good reviews. Feva XL probably too small and us too heavy.
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Posted By: Rupert
Date Posted: 22 Apr 16 at 9:42am
There are many small Singlehanders out there. Try as many as you can - you'll have fun and be able to make an informed decision. Byte is a fun little go-cart of a boat.
As a cruiser/racer, the 2000 is pretty versatile.
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Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686
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Posted By: iGRF
Date Posted: 22 Apr 16 at 10:29am
Byte? Two up? Have I missed something?
Tasar at our club is going well boy girl. Light, fast, cheap, something for the crew to do with the jib..
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Posted By: jonathanv
Date Posted: 22 Apr 16 at 3:23pm
Originally posted by iGRF
Byte? Two up? Have I missed something?
Tasar at our club is going well boy girl. Light, fast, cheap, something for the crew to do with the jib.. |
The Byte for one up, I'm considering two boats.
A dealer I just spoke to was raving about a Hartley 12, but I'm not convinced. Any thoughts?
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Posted By: iGRF
Date Posted: 22 Apr 16 at 4:18pm
Ah, then another boat worthy of consideration must then be the Solution, which, has enough volume and space for a passenger if needs be.
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Posted By: Rupert
Date Posted: 22 Apr 16 at 10:14pm
Have sailed the Hartley 12. Actually pretty good for an adult, and easy to convert to the 12-2, the double handed version. Well worth a trial sail. Not really a racing boat, though.
Can't remember if you said where you were. Rockley Point have both versions. I think Nessa has them, too, in Cambridgeshire.
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Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686
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Posted By: zippyRN
Date Posted: 23 Apr 16 at 1:02pm
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2hander wise the usual suspects have been suggested for the lighter crew, miracle, lark etc national12 if you want something a bit different ...
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Posted By: craiggo
Date Posted: 23 Apr 16 at 1:43pm
And you missed the Grad
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OK 2129
RS200 411
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