Omega feedback
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=1449
Printed Date: 04 Aug 25 at 11:33pm
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Topic: Omega feedback
Posted By: neilboys
Subject: Omega feedback
Date Posted: 07 Feb 06 at 7:34pm
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Any Topper Omega owners can give me any feedback on the boat......i.e.are you happy, fed up etc (I know you purists will mention RS/L2000/Wayfarer etc and its plastic and ugly but I am looking for a larger boat for general sailing on the East Coast to complement our other boats)
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Replies:
Posted By: carshalton fc
Date Posted: 08 Feb 06 at 4:14pm
when they had one at my club it didnt get good feed back but if u wanted something big etc go for a stratos i would totaly recomend one of them. great fun and there is a friendly class assosiction for all ur questions etc.  happy sailing ------------- International 14 1503 |
Posted By: KnightMare
Date Posted: 08 Feb 06 at 4:28pm
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Yeah to be honnest I didnt find it too good when i sailed one at my club. Regards the L2000 it is a Very stable boat I didnt like it when i first started sailing it (im a rs girl myself) but it is good for pottering and beginners etc. Also good is the Lstratos but it is much bigger and heavier so it is harder to pull up slipways and almost impossible on a beach. But will be able to be mored mouch more easily. Laser seem to have this end of the market reasonable well covered, All the RS boats are a bit more racy the 200 is beginer friendly but not as stable so not neceseraly as good for general sailing. Wayfarer is ok but if you get a 2nd hand one or anything definatly have a look at how well maintained it is. Because other wise it could be a bit of a project. As much as I dislike the L2k and the Stratos (beacuse they are large and not particularly racy) I do have to bow down and say they are well built and are good for beginers or someone who want to sial wiht out having to spend everyother minute worrying if it wil stay up right etc. - I may even go as far as saying they are great for that. ------------- http://theramblingsofmyinnergeek.blogspot.com/ |
Posted By: neilboys
Date Posted: 08 Feb 06 at 9:04pm
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Thanks for the above........ Over the years have sailed all of the above all good boats for general sailing(Stratos to expensive, L2000 too small, Wayfarer obviously good boats but heavy) just looking for any feedback on the Omega as its cheaper, low maintenance etc
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Posted By: carshalton fc
Date Posted: 08 Feb 06 at 10:16pm
well have u considered the rs vision that is very nice and is similar to the omega for space and price i think ------------- International 14 1503 |
Posted By: Prince Buster
Date Posted: 09 Feb 06 at 4:29pm
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Yeah definitely - the RS vision is a much better bet for a big dinghy than just another lump of topper plastic.
------------- international moth - "what what?" |
Posted By: Wave Rider
Date Posted: 09 Feb 06 at 6:02pm
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I have sailed the RS Vision and it seemed very stable but well thought out and everything semmed to work really well....you can also put an outboard on...oh yeah and it has an asymmetric for when your ready for that turn of speed....Very commfy to hike from aswelll.....not that hiking has a huge effect! ------------- -[Franko]- Chew Valley Lake Sailing Club RS600 933 |
Posted By: 49erGBR735HSC
Date Posted: 09 Feb 06 at 7:10pm
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We used the Omega for a part of our studies, they are okay boats to sail, friendly enough for beginners and seem to achieve what topper set out to do. Might be worth looking to upgrade some of the fittings in the boat, ie, I'd replace the spinlock halyard cleat for a cam cleat. We also noticed the boats which we were using were showing signs of indentation where the hull is put under stress at rigging attachments. Appart from that, we had a good laugh on the boats, they seemed good for teaching on and they were able to cater for 3-4 six foot lads no problem. The Topper Xenon actually looks a nice boat too, haven't sailed one yet though. ------------- Dennis Watson 49er GBR735 http://www.helensburghsailingclub.co.uk/ - Helensburgh S.C http://www.noblemarine.co.uk/home.php3?affid=560 - Boat Insurance from Noble Marine |
Posted By: rich96
Date Posted: 10 Feb 06 at 2:38pm
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Hi I certainly wouldnt dismiss the Wayfarer. The hull weight is not a lot more that the Omega and it is a great weight carrier. In the right hands and conditions they go really well. I suspect that it would be a better allround performer than the Omega. Can also put an outboard on it and go to the beach in stable comfort. All in all they are great boats.
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Posted By: 49erGBR735HSC
Date Posted: 10 Feb 06 at 3:53pm
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My initial reaction was that Wayfarer had to be better than the Omega, and in someways it is. However, the Omega does have a more open deck so there is more room on them. The Omega does have quite fair performance and seemed to be able to pace the Stratos. ------------- Dennis Watson 49er GBR735 http://www.helensburghsailingclub.co.uk/ - Helensburgh S.C http://www.noblemarine.co.uk/home.php3?affid=560 - Boat Insurance from Noble Marine |
Posted By: stuartblair
Date Posted: 11 Feb 06 at 11:09pm
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I've had my Omega since July 2004, and I've found it an absolute joy to
sail. It's an awful lot lighter and more responsive than the Wayfarers
I've sailed in the past. However, although you couldn't describe it as
tippy, it's not as stable as a Wayfarer. That said, I've only capsized
it once, and that was when there was only me in the boat with a full
upwind sailplan. On that occasion, there was no problem in recovering
it on my own due to the masthead bouancy. If you are going to go out in
an Omega on your own in >F4 conditions, it's best to keep the roller
reefing line to hand! With one or more crew to hang on the side, or put on the trapeze wire, you're able to make use of the full sailplan. The boat really takes on a totally different character when it's up on the plane. It always leaves me with a big smile. As far as build quality goes, I've had no problems. It was one of the driving factors in my choice of boat - I'm very bad with my hands and have a rather stressful job, so I liked the idea of owning a boat that was low maintenance and which would leave my weekends free for sailing rather than mending. In fact, so far the only breakage was when I put a large rent in the gennaker because I hadn't been consciencious enough in my taping of the metal fittings. It was easily repaired though. As I write, I'm looking out into my back garden where the frost is still clinging to the boat cover. Can't wait to get out on the water again once our dinghy park has been rolled for the year. Stuart Blair Omega 3256 (isdoo) |
Posted By: neilboys
Date Posted: 12 Feb 06 at 2:12pm
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Thanks again to all above.................Plenty to think about !
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Posted By: BBSCFaithfull
Date Posted: 12 Feb 06 at 6:00pm
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The omega is the biggest lump of sh*t ever to have sails put on it! Basic sail controls and a huge rig with big sheet loads and a pathetic kite means it is a complete waste of time!! ------------- Greatfully Sponsored By www.allgoodfun.com Int 14 GBR 1503!! |
Posted By: neilboys
Date Posted: 12 Feb 06 at 6:58pm
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BBCFC Faithful............ Not all that helpful...............crticism (constructive preferably) from sailors with experience is often the best help.....does'nt seem to be the case here ! |
Posted By: tgruitt
Date Posted: 12 Feb 06 at 7:15pm
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i sailed it and the rig fell down, lesson, do not take omegas out in a F9, they cant take it, we had 4 lads, one trapezeing and the whole lot came down!
------------- Needs to sail more... |
Posted By: BBSCFaithfull
Date Posted: 14 Feb 06 at 10:02am
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Mr NeilBoys I do have experience in the Omega, Unfortunately!!! it was a Force 6/7 and there was 2 of us hiking. The boat was / had: a) Unresponsive at the helm b) Awful to hike from c) Way too Overpoewered for the hull shape and size d) The worst sail controls I think I had ever seen! e) Mainsheetloads bigger than anything i have sailed more than twice the loads of a 4k! f) A truly pathetic kite Im Sorry i wasnt more optimistic about the Omega but it is just a waste of space and the boat has no good points or upsides.! Now I hope this was more helpfull. Be warned if you buy one people will laugh at you and you will have the worst sailing you have ever had! ------------- Greatfully Sponsored By www.allgoodfun.com Int 14 GBR 1503!! |
Posted By: Matt Jackson
Date Posted: 14 Feb 06 at 12:54pm
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A F6/7 (and certainly F9) are not the conditions to evaluate a boat like this. If you overload an already heavy boat is it any wonder the rig broke, jeez I've lost the rig in a Lark because we were trying to reach the water out after a capsize in F6 and that was with 2 (admittedly heavyish) of us on board! You could try being a little more helpful - or not say anything. ------------- Laser 203001, Harrier (H+) 36 |
Posted By: carshalton fc
Date Posted: 14 Feb 06 at 3:49pm
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yer i have to agree with matt mainly because the sort of people that will buy a omega will be the people that will leave it in the boat park and go out in it once a year.and will never sail in anything over an extreme f3 if i was you neilboys i would think about how much use the boat is going to get and how much money you want to loose. ------------- International 14 1503 |
Posted By: neilboys
Date Posted: 14 Feb 06 at 4:35pm
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Mmmm interesting..............possibly ! I sail/race all year in various boats but this one is for the purpose of cruising on the East Coast rivers, (I'm not looking to go racing in it....just have some enjoyable sailing with my young family) none of my boats sit in the boat park and are always sailed. Like the thought of somebody sailing a dinghy in a F9 (exageration or what !) and as stated above if you overload the rig on any boat it will go. The main thing I am interested in is how it performs for general sailing (F9 will send most blue water yachts heading for cover if they have any sense !) Anyway thanks everyone for your thoughts
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Posted By: 49erGBR735HSC
Date Posted: 14 Feb 06 at 7:42pm
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In Tom's defence, I was in Plymouth that day and reckon it could have been one of the windier days of the winter, so possibly could have been gusting F9, probably the main reason the Omega went out in the place of the Cherubs. The times we have sailed the Omega, she hasn't seemed too bad, has picked up relatively well on the kite for the type of boat it is (not in the same league as the 4K), had no problems with sheet loads, although the spinlock cleat proved problematic on hoists, unlocking randomly and the boat seemed quite simply layed out. One of my gripes about teaching beginners on stratos's was that they seemed off putting to pupils learning to rig up the boat for the first time as the sheets are configured more a kin to a racing boat which confused learners. The Omega didn't seem to have this problem because the sheets were placed in obvious places....... kicker adjustments come straight from the kicker, cunningham from the cunningham etc............. ------------- Dennis Watson 49er GBR735 http://www.helensburghsailingclub.co.uk/ - Helensburgh S.C http://www.noblemarine.co.uk/home.php3?affid=560 - Boat Insurance from Noble Marine |
Posted By: stuartblair
Date Posted: 14 Feb 06 at 8:51pm
Wow. You can really *feel* the vitriol in this topic!  I can't believe
we're talking about the same boat. Carshalton, surely your suppositions about owners not going out in anything above F3 say more about the type of person you imagine owning an Omega than the boat itself. As an Omega owner who has enjoyed taking her out in plenty occasions with wind >F4, I can reassure you that she remains well balanced with a nice light tiller as the wind picks up. I've had 4 newbie crew in her in 'interesting' F6 conditions without them being spooked. I find the Omega performs the role of the safe, speedy, spacious load carrier really rather well. We've seen talk of the rig coming down in an F9. I'd never intentionally be out in that, and to be honest, if you were flying any amount of canvas in any dinghy with an F9 blowing, you'd be doing well to keep her upright. To be honest, I think this may be at the crux of the problem here. Perhaps we have different expectations of what the Omega should do. |
Posted By: olly_love
Date Posted: 15 Feb 06 at 10:26am
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at our club we have boats. to be honest they are horriable and the fittings are poor quality. ours had to go back and be fixed after a small collision. when you capsize them they are impossiable to get up on the centerboard. and we had righting lines fitted and these just pulled out. you cant pull the main sheet in and the sails are bad quality. the kite also dosent seem to fit in the bag. overall a crap boat. seems a bit harsh but they are truly awful ------------- TWO FRANK-Hunter Impala |
Posted By: BBSCFaithfull
Date Posted: 15 Feb 06 at 4:28pm
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Thank the good lord someone agress with me!!!
------------- Greatfully Sponsored By www.allgoodfun.com Int 14 GBR 1503!! |
Posted By: olly_love
Date Posted: 15 Feb 06 at 4:34pm
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how can people say that the omega is a joy to sail. i mean it is a waste of plastic. you can feel it flex all of the time. i was teaching 14 yr olds in a force 4 and they couldnt get the main in i had to trim it all of the time. i was wanting a winch and coffee grinder. the kite is a joke it just is full and Crap. god help anyone one who sails in them. if you are looking at a boat of this size then the wayfarer is good or the stratos is a nice asymertic. ------------- TWO FRANK-Hunter Impala |
Posted By: sw67
Date Posted: 15 Feb 06 at 4:56pm
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I have been using the magno for 2.5 years without any problems. It has
had 1 self bailer replaced and thats it It has hyde sails . holt , ronstan , clamcleat and selden hardware. It sails well and is very light on the controls. The only negative is it will not hove to ( spins ) and i can not get on the centreboard without pulling the boat upright If topper have got the omega so wrong try the magno It cost me £3500 new and has only lost about 5-600 in the last 3 years Stephen |
Posted By: Sumo
Date Posted: 15 Feb 06 at 5:41pm
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Even Topper must reckon the Omega is not quite right or why would they have brought out the Xenon? Omega & nbsp;Xenon Length 4.64 &n bsp; 4.5 Beam 1.83 2.0 Main 11.50 & nbsp; 12.00 Jib &nb sp; 3.50 &n bsp; 3.50 Gen 12.75 & nbsp; 12.75 Hull &n bsp; 140 118 |
Posted By: tack'ho
Date Posted: 16 Feb 06 at 9:41am
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Just a thought Surely a bit of flex in a training/recreational boat...so what? Mains to hard to pull in a F6 or F9, suprise suprise! try rigging up and extra fall to get more purchase. And if its such a awful boat, why on earth did you take in out instead of a cherub in a F9. Because if you'd taken the cherub it would have come back a driftwood?carbon! The fittings i can't comment on but get some perspective it's horses for courses! ------------- I might be sailing it, but it's still sh**e! |
Posted By: Strawberry
Date Posted: 16 Feb 06 at 12:16pm
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Urrrrr, let's leave Cherubs out of this! ------------- Cherub 2649 "Dangerous Strawberry |
Posted By: olly_love
Date Posted: 16 Feb 06 at 3:34pm
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it is not a little flex it is like sitting on a sofa. and the main is hard to pull in in light winds. sw67 well done ------------- TWO FRANK-Hunter Impala |
Posted By: neilboys
Date Posted: 27 Feb 06 at 7:12pm
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Many thanks for all the advice.........I think its a case of 'horses for courses' (probably depending on how agile you as you get older !). I have manged to get reasonably priced Stratos but I think the Omega is a good boat for what it trys to be..... a roomy family boat with the option for bit of fun
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