might need to get me a single hander as prime crew off to Uni' this year.

The single handers mainly sailed in our neck of the woods are lasers, couple of phantoms and a couple of D1s.

I occasionally have a grumbling knee cartilage, am the wrong side of 50, and tip the scales at about 85 kg.

The laser would be an easy choice to make - I borrowed one the other day and it wasn't as bad as i had thought it might have been - there are a few about for not much cash, but after a few repeated and one crash tack I wondered how my dodgy knee would stand up to it

I have always admired the OK from afar but never had a go. I have the impression it might be a bit more comfortable than the laser, plus there is the possibility of a nice bit of woodwork to polish.

budget is less than £1K if poss

anyone got experience of both??

Originally posted by 423zero Laser easier to sail than the OK,

in what way, if you don't mind me asking?

Give the OK a go (there's a class demo boat you can try out) as it's a delightful little boat. For me one of the big plusses is it's so comfortable and sailable downwind with the deep cockpit. No need to be on your knees downwind as you can perch on the traveller/side decks and there's more than enough room under the boom. Have a look at the class website as there's usually a range of boats available (and well sailed old boats, with a good rig are proving pretty competitive)

http://www.okdinghy.co.uk/classifieds/" rel="nofollow - http://www.okdinghy.co.uk/classifieds/

http://www.okdinghy.co.uk/classifieds/" rel="nofollow -

Cheers, I did have a look over on the class website, looks like I could get kitted out for £1k. I couldn't find a "buyers guide" whats the concensus on wood versus frp/composite at the low end of the market? How does the demo boat thing work?

For the demo boat email the class chairman and vice chairman (contacts at http://www.okdinghy.co.uk/british-ok-dinghy-association-contacts/) as they normally know where it is and when it will be available. The boat itself is a refurbished older boat and goes pretty well now! (http://www.okdinghy.co.uk/news/demo-boat/).

I think the wooden boats are probably a better bet and there's certainly plenty of examples of 20 and even 40 year old boats doing remarkably well after a refurb and new rig - as with everything it depends what you want to spend and how keen you are! Have a chat with Dave the vice chairman as he refurbished the demo boat and knows more than me. If you do the FB thing there is a British OK sailors group to ask questions on as well

cool, just joined the british OK group. btw, whats the general feeling about current PY number - is it helpful or hindrance in handicap racing?

Good to know.

Last time I was in this position about 15 years ago (ie looking for a single hander, but trying to avoid the Laser ) I considered an OK and even went as far as going to the dinghy show to have a closer look at some for some reason I ended up with an RS vareo, which I didn't really gel with

 The Laser isn't going anywhere and will always be something to fall back on during those less inspired patches of a sailing lifecycle.

I wouldn't worry about the PY too much.... it's only handicap racing and you'll know how well you sailed long before you've packed the boat up, never mind checked the club web page the next day during your coffee break.

There's a really nice boat on the FB dinghies for sale group at less than £1k. One of Dave Rose's boats that have a great reputation (20yr old example was 3rd in Euros a few years ago). Think there is a carbon rig available for some more

https://www.facebook.com/groups/dinghies/permalink/1754670271239077/?sale_post_id=1754670271239077

saw that, looks tidy. pity its 400 miles away!

Yes, I have half a plan to go to filey with the scorpion - but not a solid enough plan to set up a demo, hopefully if I get there, I will get a close look at the fleet.

The last time I was anywhere near an OK was  back in the 1980s, Ron Parkin used to sail his  at our club from time to time

Hi Sawman

Just seen a couple of Phantom's come up on dinghies for sale on Facebook that fall within your budget. one GRP and a woody.

Just as an alternative option for your budget.

Good luck

Gordon

I did try an old phantom once, not sure it is very kind on the knees