Choosing a boat: Feva or Topaz UNO Race for returning to sailing?

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Feva or Topaz UNO Race for returning to sailing?

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=13000
Printed Date: 04 Aug 25 at 11:34pm
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Topic: Feva or Topaz UNO Race for returning to sailing?

Posted By: Andazalia
Subject: Feva or Topaz UNO Race for returning to sailing?
Date Posted: 23 Feb 18 at 3:44pm

I have been interested to read the contributions on more mature dinghy sailors returning after a number of years and finding new options available to them. I have quite a specific brief -

- I am approaching retirement age, around 78 kilos and pretty healthy

- I am lucky enough to spend some time in Spain (Mediterranean) and want a dinghy I can launch from the beach, often through a bit of surf. I guess that means light and quick draining

- I will often want to sail single-handed but sometimes with another adult. Eventually, I would hope to include grandchildren with me.

- there aren’t any particularly active clubs around so I don’t expect to be racing

- I sailed when I was young and more recently had an old Byte which I used on holiday so I know the basics

So, I want to start sailing again when I am in Spain. The options that seem to fit the light and multi-purpose brief best are an RS Feva XL or Topaz UNO Race X. Both of them can be traditional single-handlers, have options that make single-handling more interesting and can be sailed 2-up. But they are both marketed as youth boats and I can find little to help me distinguish between them.

Any advice please?!

Replies:

Posted By: Eisvogel
Date Posted: 23 Feb 18 at 3:50pm

We use Fevas as single-handers in adult training; but I would think they're probably a bit too small for two adults.

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Enterprise 20361 (Eisvogel), Laser 102727 (Halcyon), Laser 121986

Posted By: Sam.Spoons
Date Posted: 23 Feb 18 at 4:17pm

I have sailed a Topaz RaceX two up (combined weight probably 160-170kg). I was windy but it was fun then. In the light it is a bit cramped for two adults but if it's just occasionally then it's doable. Feva is a little smaller and narrower but still seems to be a little roomier (we have both at the club) in the XL version it has a more sophisticated rig and looks a more modern design. Both weigh around 60kg so pretty manageable but something a little larger would probably be a better buy for comfort and the occasional two up forays.

What is your budget?

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Spice 346 "Flat Broke"
Blaze 671 "supersonic soap dish"

Posted By: Andazalia
Date Posted: 23 Feb 18 at 4:43pm

Thanks Sam. Probably looking at £2,500 - £3,000 2nd hand

Posted By: Sam.Spoons
Date Posted: 23 Feb 18 at 5:14pm

Sandy beach or stoney (and can you drive onto the beach to launch and recover, if you can the pulling a heavier boat a few metres across firm sand is not too hard)? Will you be towing to and from every time you sail or can you store it somewhere where you can leave the mast up? How often will you want to take another adult out? Very few boat designs are good singlehanders and good two up, one or the other is invariably compromised. If you sail solo most of the time and just want to take an occasional passenger then a roomy singlehander would probably be more enjoyable most of the time. If the two up sailing is going to be a regular thing (or even if not if recovery is by car from a sandy beach) you might consider a something like an Enterprise. Plenty of room, manageable singlehanded (with a reduced rig if it blows) not stupidly heavy (around 125kg rigged and ready to sail) and £3k will get you a very nice wooden one or a good GRP boat. And Enterprise's are beautiful boats and a joy to sail.

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Spice 346 "Flat Broke"
Blaze 671 "supersonic soap dish"

Posted By: Eisvogel
Date Posted: 23 Feb 18 at 5:25pm

I'd say you can get a nice wooden one for a lot less -- I paid just under £1k for mine last year.

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Enterprise 20361 (Eisvogel), Laser 102727 (Halcyon), Laser 121986

Posted By: Sam.Spoons
Date Posted: 23 Feb 18 at 7:00pm

True you can, I'm frequently tempted but having reached a 'boat event horizon' I'd have to sell something first. Plus A wooden boat would probably be a bad idea as the garage I built to house the last wooden Enterrprise no longer has room for one (and I'd want to sail it all year round so it would have to live outside, not a good idea for a wooden boat).

Maybe if I can bring myself to sell the Spice I'll be able to consider a Rondar Mk3 ;)

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Spice 346 "Flat Broke"
Blaze 671 "supersonic soap dish"

Posted By: Tynesider
Date Posted: 23 Feb 18 at 8:35pm

I am 72 and after sailing offshore for over 28 years decided to get into dingy sailing with my son and granddaughter.
I looked at various models including the ones you mention but finally bought a Hartley 12 which I mainly use single handed, but they are classed for 3 but can easily take two crew, a good user friendly and stable boat and a lot faster than you might think,I would recommend one including the head sail version.You can also reef them very quickly and also has center board.

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Archivist for the
Colvic Watson Owners Group

Posted By: Sam.Spoons
Date Posted: 23 Feb 18 at 8:55pm

I'd forgotten about the Hartley 12. Though I haven't seen one a couple of people on here have said they are a good boat. I'm not sure if you'll find a used one though.......

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Spice 346 "Flat Broke"
Blaze 671 "supersonic soap dish"

Posted By: Andazalia
Date Posted: 24 Feb 18 at 10:31am

Thanks. I hadn't come across the Hartley. It certainly seems worth a look although, as you say, there may not be many around second hand.