which boat to get
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=12394
Printed Date: 05 Aug 25 at 2:22am
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Topic: which boat to get
Posted By: tallsailor6.3
Subject: which boat to get
Date Posted: 17 May 16 at 3:22pm
| Hi there I have just completed the RYA level 2. Now want a boat I have the choice of three boats. Use will be racing and casual sailing. I am 6ft 3" weigh 11 stone. choice of boats is a Streaker, Laser and solo. |
Replies:
Posted By: JimC
Date Posted: 17 May 16 at 3:31pm
| The most important thing to remember is you ain't getting married to the boat. You can - at least if you stick to mainstream classes like those - swap classes relatively easily, and no reason why you shouldn't. So don't agonise too much. Grab a yacht in one of each and see how you do and how you feel about it. None of those are obviously bad choices, and no real need to worry too much about which one is most suitable for your height and weight until you're regularly finishing well into the top half of the fleet. |
Posted By: Late starter
Date Posted: 17 May 16 at 3:48pm
| Jim is spot on. These are 3 great classes, buying and selling will be easy and if you buy right you'll lose very little if and when you sell any of these classes on. I've sailed all 3 of these boats, I like different elements from each so I find it hard to pick a favourite. Depends on budget and how serious you want to get as well. An old but nice Laser can make a competitive club boat for no sort of money (£1k??), think you'd need a fair bit more than that to get a competitive Solo or Streaker. But the newer Solos and Streakers are lovely boats, so you pays your money etc. |
Posted By: turnturtle
Date Posted: 17 May 16 at 3:56pm
|
I'd go to your chosen sailing club and see what others are sailing from that list.... there;s some good club around Ipswich, so plenty of choice. All are good boats, but heed the advice on budget, a 1k Solo isn't going to be competitive, even at club level unless you strike gold and find a very special wooden one... which is unlikely. Do they still have a Vareo fleet at Alton Water? That could be a bit of fun.... and if inland or up the deben or orwell somewhere, don't discount a Phantom. You'd fly and you're tall enough to be 'light and fast' without suffering too much from being overpowered up to a F4.
|
Posted By: The Moo
Date Posted: 17 May 16 at 5:52pm
| Supernova whilst not on your list irons out some of the Laser's vices and provides a little more headroom under the boom |
Posted By: rb_stretch
Date Posted: 17 May 16 at 11:25pm
| I thought streakers were more lightweights boats. Certainly the streaker sailor at our club sails one because the Solo is too big/powerful (relatively speaking). |
Posted By: NickM
Date Posted: 18 May 16 at 12:50am
| You can get Solo rigs suited to light weight helms but above 15 knots you will struggle to keep up with the heavy guys whatever your rig. You may find you are more comfortable/competitive in a Streaker or Laser Radial across the wind range. |
Posted By: jeffers
Date Posted: 18 May 16 at 9:20am
|
As others have said see what is being sailed at the club you intend to sail at. Budget is also key as £1k will get you a competitive club Laser with the upgraded sail controls but a Solo and Streaker you are looking at more like £3k to £4k for a competitive boat. ------------- Paul ---------------------- D-Zero GBR 74 |
Posted By: Ardea
Date Posted: 18 May 16 at 12:16pm
|
Streakers certainly aren't cheaper than lasers, but I sold a reasonably (formerly) competitive laser and was quids in getting a fairly competitive streaker for less than the new sail and top mast needed to get the laser competitive again. As for weight carrying, the last nationals only 3 out of the top 10 were less than 70kg (approx. 11 stone)
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Posted By: iGRF
Date Posted: 18 May 16 at 12:28pm
|
I have to ask, why would you do that to yourself, big lad like you, knees to your chest, they are boats for old small people with the exception of the Laser, get yourself something else you can stretch your legs in, Blaze springs to mind. I wonder which agenda driven fool insisted they were your three choices, or was it your Grandad? ------------- 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: tallsailor6.3
Date Posted: 18 May 16 at 1:32pm
| The laser I have sailed before and find it a bit unconfutable. Looking for a boat similar to laser. Nice single handed boat that has performance able to handle wide wind range. Lightning may be considered. Will consider any suggestions. The solo, streaker and laser were first 3 options. |
Posted By: Jamie600
Date Posted: 23 May 16 at 11:18am
|
I'm suprised GRF hasn't mentioned this as he owns one, but have you considered a Solution?
You would be towards the lighter end of the weight range but your height would make up for it, and there's more legroom than the three on your shortlist. It's a lot nicer to sail than a Laser and faster than a Streaker or Solo ------------- RS600 1001 |
Posted By: jeffers
Date Posted: 23 May 16 at 12:56pm
|
Any suggestions, then try the D-Zero and Aero if your budget will stretch to it. The D-Zero is a lovely boat to sail, pretty much vice free with the correct control settings. I cannot comment on the Aero on the water yet but capsize recovery requires a different technique to the standard RYA method. ------------- Paul ---------------------- D-Zero GBR 74 |
Posted By: fleaberto
Date Posted: 25 May 16 at 3:18pm
|
Lightning is a good choice.
I'm just on 6ft, weigh just on 11st and my Lightning provides a good all round sail. Great in the light stuff, a hooligan once you get up over F3/4 - and downwind is an absolute artform! 
Very good boats can be picked up for peanuts - in fact, Rupert on this forum has one for sail right now. Lightweight, pivoting centerboard and rudder, tracked sail, controls running to each side of the boat, sturdy construction and even a cheap old one will be competitive. Downside? - well there's just not that many at clubs, so you'll most likely be sailing around on your own and relying on handicap. Depends on whether you're looking to just sail around or compete in fleet racing. Lightning is a brilliant choice, but just be aware that you probably won't race against many others unless you come along to an open event. ------------- Lightning368 'All the Gear' (409), Lightning368 'Sprite' (101), Laser (big number) 'Yellow Jack', RS Vareo (432)'The Golden Rays' |
Posted By: G.R.F.
Date Posted: 25 May 16 at 5:08pm
My assumption was the club had dictated his choice, I think they allow 'too tall' people to buy Solutions, but at 11 stone, we don't really need lanky light fast people, all light people have to be short, whilst not exactly a class rule at the moment, it is likely to be written and judging by the last AGM (6 people sat on a wall drinking pints until one fell off and presumably got nominated for something as punishment for early unconsciousness) a few pints ought to guarantee a height restriction..
 ------------- https://www.ease-distribution.com/" rel="nofollow - https://www.ease-distribution.com/ |
Posted By: tallsailor6.3
Date Posted: 25 May 16 at 6:31pm
| You are correct I really have to go with what the club have. As I have no tow bar looked at Laser today for £420 needs fair amount of work doing to it. I sail at Alton water, really just want the boat to club race and casual sail. I may be tall but light at 70 kg |
Posted By: pompeysailor
Date Posted: 25 May 16 at 9:21pm
|
An old Laser sounds the best way to start and find out whether you want to spend more at a later date. You wont lose money on a cheap Laser, most get past around small sailing clubs to new members etc. Longer term, based on height I would consider something like a Blaze where you can stretch out or take up trapezing and get something like a farr 3.7 ------------- Formerly - OK 2145 Phantom 1437, Blaze 819, Fireball 14668, Mirror 54145 |
Posted By: iGRF
Date Posted: 26 May 16 at 11:11am
And there you have it... The reason this stupid stupid sport kills itself. ------------- 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 |