There are a few at Grafham - Les might still be selling his ! ??

Hi Ratface

next season -  depends what you want to do...  blast around, have fun and do some racing; or seriously campaign a boat(which also can be fun!). In the latter case the 49er is probably best - although there are 5000 'enthusiasts' (I included) - there are 5000 events and TASA events as well though probably not as well attended as 49er events.  if new to twin-wire boats, remember it'll take you probably at least 1 season to become competative.

Comparison of the 2 - many will 'dis'the older  and heavy 5000, but there 's  still a lot going for it. Fairly stable, still fast and fun, and relatively cheap compared to similar craft.

The main thing you need to consider is cost and ability.  How skilled you/crew are in twin wiring etc... I boat a 5000 start of this  season  - have had fun so far but definitely don't sail to handicap. but then again I don't really care- bought it primarily for  blasting around rather than racing.  The 49er I believe is a lot more powerful (less forgiving, I've heard some say?) than the 5000 so that's worth bearing in mind.

Also what you're willing to pay.  i.e. there was a  5000 advertised on boatsandoutboards this week for £1000-1500.  For a really good boat you pay max £2500.  49-ers are  considerably more expensive.

On a practical side, if going for 5000 - there's an 8metre Alumium mast (old boat!) with a  fairly large main -  re-righting from a  capasize requires a good bit of effort! 

also - you're aren;t partically heavy - worth checking out the class websites for  weight ranges/settings.

Definitely  try out both if you can.

All the best.

  fin.

Cheap crew how crass

Get a decent one ! , when did they start charging

[QUOTE=Guests]5000 has a gay spinny system that should only be used on crazy boats like 18 foot skiffs [QUOTE]

I think you'll find that chutes are "gay" - as they are easier and only for pansies.  real men sail boats where you have to gather the kite by hand. 

Only a B14 sailor could say something like that!!   

We could say something similar about hiking, but i wont take the piss because i love b14's

I have sailed both boats, The 49er is in most conditons the easier boat, due to self tacking and lightness, and spinny shute. Once it gets windier the 49er is harder, you tend to see onoy the better guys out and enjoying it, on the other hand this is when the 5 tonner came into its own, its practically indestructable. As for design, I genuinely believe the 5k is a better all round design, it was just a shame when it came to the build, a load of extra weight was added to make the hull stronger. We certainly used to do very well in the light given the extra rocker it carrries. Oh, and the weight equlaisation worked too.

As far as the kite bag is concerned, yes its hard to get used to, but once you have it right as a crew, everything else is easy, esp when you then have the cash to get a decent 49er later on. I have heard of a few nightmare old and cheap 9ers, they are lighter, and hence the hulls dont last as long.

One of the 5k guys on the east coast was talking about making a carbon 5k, wih a modern rig on it, now that would be a fun boat to have.

The bottom line is the cash, 5ks are cheap. Running costs are cheap. Where as the 49er is a bigger investment, and you will break more stuff.

Hope this helps.

AndyMCk

thats a bit biased!!!!!! The 49er is a better design and boat end of. The 5k is cheap and rock solid.

You will find the 49er harder to sail and it will take you longer to master, Even after people had been sailing the 5 tonner for a couple of years they jumped in the 49er and it took years for them to master. Even 3 years after it came out you could sail downwind without the kite when it was windy and gain places. Do that now in the gold fleet and you would be last my miles.

sail them both and see what you think

I agree the class is dead in the water, spares are harder to get, etc. but a bad boat..........? I had my 5k for a number of years, sailed it a lot. It was well built, maybe a bit heavy, but never fell to bits. No trouble selling it either. Struggle to see it as the worst boat of it's era

49'r, fantastic boat but you'll need about £3/4k for the impending rig upgrade

Hi

the class is  dead in that no new boats are being (will ever again ?) be built, but there is a group of enthusiasts who sail 5000 and race.  See class association. Also  5000 can race with TASA and similar  organisations if racing is what you're for. 

Okay - you might be looking for some stiff international/national type of competition - then the 49-er or the RS800 is more suited to your purposes.

I have a  5000, but not  particularly good sailing the boat. It's still exciting and have enjoyed my first season with it - definitely an exhilerating ride !

I bought because I wanted to sail twin-wire. Alternatives -  800, 49er  - are considerably more expensive and I wasn't interested in serious racing anyhow.  Other alternatives are the Boss and International 14. 

The boat is heavy - but solid.  The helm is  lovely  - but sheet loads are fairly high.... it is a big boat:  5m long , 8m mast, 30m2 of spinny!

Certain items (rudders, dagger boards) are the same as the  Laser4000, so they are still manufactured.  Sails  can always be  made - actually see laser website for  spare parts and prices, they list many items.   (my mast is only 2-3 years old).

Okay - it isn't carbon, it isn't a trendy skiff (a la cherub/12 foot brigade ) but still a serious craft. 

Rgds

  fin.

PS - I never sailed a  49er - but this was not an issue for me - too expensive for  my requirements (fun/blasting, and occasional race).

'dead' ? ......certainly doesn't feel that way when blasting along at speed!

I want a go in a 5K sooooo much....ohh, wait. I'm sailing Loco Perro this weekend

I still want a go in 5K some time, just to experiance it.