Solo replacement
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=12996
Printed Date: 04 Aug 25 at 11:25pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Solo replacement
Posted By: Riv
Subject: Solo replacement
Date Posted: 20 Feb 18 at 9:09pm
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Hi My club has several Lasers that we want to replace. They don't get used much and are unsuitable for our older demographic and the water we use. Some members have suggested we get Solos. However this would mean more maintenance as they would have to be GRP and about £300-£500. So we need a modern ish plastic dinghy about the same weight as a Solo, mast with a proper halyard and a centreboard that also has a cockpit of about the same depth as the solo. For the right boat we would be able to raise more cash but are still looking at secondhand. Any ideas? ------------- Mistral Div II prototype board, Original Windsurfer, Hornet built'74. |
Replies:
Posted By: JimC
Date Posted: 20 Feb 18 at 9:15pm
| You absolutely don't want £300-£500 glass Solos. I'm not sure, though, there are many other options in that price range. |
Posted By: Rupert
Date Posted: 20 Feb 18 at 9:18pm
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Take a look at the newly upgraded mark 3 Lightning 368.
It looks stunning, has pivoting centreboard, deep but self draining cockpit, tracked mast with carbon top, choice of Dacron or Mylar sail. ------------- Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686 |
Posted By: Rupert
Date Posted: 20 Feb 18 at 9:21pm
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Missed the 3-500 price bracket. Still better off with Lightnings than Solos, as they hold together well, but not sure any boat of that age is likely to survive club usage, and the sails will be rubbish. ------------- Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686 |
Posted By: Neptune
Date Posted: 20 Feb 18 at 10:01pm
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Lightening, comet, byte, fixer or something like that. I see too many of an older demographic being able to climb back in a solo post capsize (it will happen). ------------- Musto Skiff and Solo sailor |
Posted By: 423zero
Date Posted: 20 Feb 18 at 10:09pm
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Riv, No grants available ?
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Posted By: jeffers
Date Posted: 21 Feb 18 at 10:22am
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If you could get grants then something like a Fusion would be a good fit. Well mannered enough to be used for training. Big enough for an adult to sail. Comfy enough and robust enough to survive club use. You could get 4 for a £10k grant too (and the money the club was going to put in could get you a 5th). They have a dacron or mylar sail options too and an optional jib (on a halyard). Sails wrap round the mast so the only real issue is somewhere to store them. ------------- Paul ---------------------- D-Zero GBR 74 |
Posted By: Riv
Date Posted: 21 Feb 18 at 12:55pm
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Thanks for all the useful replies, Looks like the only one that has the desired characteristics is the Lightning, the Centreboard being a Very desirable feature as well as the proper mainsail and halyard combo. So much damage and general chaos has been caused by rigging lasers on the beach (head injuries) and difficulties depowering coming in on a lee shore. (how far can you drive one up a rocky beach!) It's straightforward if you know how but not all our members do..... We have just built a new clubhouse, so will have to get financially stable before we apply for more grants, however second hand £700/boat could well be possible, we don't have to do it all at once and selling the 4 Lasers could raise about £1100 which would help. ------------- Mistral Div II prototype board, Original Windsurfer, Hornet built'74. |
Posted By: Rupert
Date Posted: 21 Feb 18 at 4:00pm
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Smaller and less racy, the RS Zest has a pivoting board, but may not work in other ways! ------------- Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686 |
Posted By: Riv
Date Posted: 21 Feb 18 at 4:29pm
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Yes Zest's a possibility also, I'll get a go in one. ------------- Mistral Div II prototype board, Original Windsurfer, Hornet built'74. |
Posted By: 423zero
Date Posted: 21 Feb 18 at 5:48pm
| I have tried the lightning and found it virtually vice free, just waiting to find one at the right price. |
Posted By: Riv
Date Posted: 22 Feb 18 at 4:01pm
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I'll be looking at the end of the year, prices will go down and maybe there will be some close. ------------- Mistral Div II prototype board, Original Windsurfer, Hornet built'74. |
Posted By: rich96
Date Posted: 23 Feb 18 at 3:42pm
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Not sure that a Lightning will be ideal for your intended demographic ?
A very good lightning sailor told me that they were a proper handful in breeze - Lasers (using various rigs sizes) may be more suitable ? |
Posted By: zeon
Date Posted: 24 Feb 18 at 4:48pm
| I have owned in no particular order, lightning , supernova, laser/radial and British moth and I can say with out a shadow of a doubt the lightning is the easiest to sail when it gets very breezy. |
Posted By: Riv
Date Posted: 25 Feb 18 at 8:56pm
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Frankly most of our sailors come home when the whitecaps start, so I'm not really concerned with strong wind performance and we can put on some smaller sails if we need to. Laser have so many disadvantages for the casual sailor that it's best if we move them on. I don't use them anymore (started in 1979) stopped a few years ago simply because it was too painful and hanging from a windsurfer harness is so much easier. Most of our casual members feel somewhat the same about the pain factor. Having a CB and a relatively deep cockpit is very important. Finns with a reduced rig would be good!!, and maybe a crane to get them out:) ------------- Mistral Div II prototype board, Original Windsurfer, Hornet built'74. |
Posted By: porkyman
Date Posted: 25 Feb 18 at 9:04pm
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Another vote for Lightnings from me. I have raced solos, streaker, supernova, and D dero at club level, and for the last few months a Lightning 368 that cost me £600. I have had as much fun racing this great little boat, as I did in the Dzero that cost me £6k new!! ------------- porkyman |
Posted By: iGRF
Date Posted: 25 Feb 18 at 9:55pm
They look quite swish, the new ones. ------------- 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: Riv
Date Posted: 26 Feb 18 at 8:59pm
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Anyone tried the Hartley 12? ------------- Mistral Div II prototype board, Original Windsurfer, Hornet built'74. |
Posted By: Sam.Spoons
Date Posted: 26 Feb 18 at 11:31pm
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There is a poster on here who has one, can't remember his username but his sig mentions the Colvic. ------------- Spice 346 "Flat Broke" Blaze 671 "supersonic soap dish" |
Posted By: 423zero
Date Posted: 27 Feb 18 at 7:50am
| Tynesider |
Posted By: Sam.Spoons
Date Posted: 27 Feb 18 at 9:10am
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That's the man :) ------------- Spice 346 "Flat Broke" Blaze 671 "supersonic soap dish" |
Posted By: sawman
Date Posted: 27 Feb 18 at 7:23pm
had a brief go in one last autumn, close to 20knts breeze, took it out 2 up with the jib on, its a great little boat - like an RS feva, but better |