I originally learnt to sail on a dingy before yacht racing in my local area and have now decided to go back to dinghy sailing - as I've forgotten most of the practical stuff on how to sail! I want to buy my own dinghy in the next few months, however seem to have hit a brick wall in deciding what to get...

I'm after a single-handed dinghy (so I don't have to rely on anyone else to sail). I wouldn't call myself a brilliant sailor by any means - but I do have quite a bit of experience crewing dinghies. I need a boat that I can learn from and a boat that is fun yet rewarding and challenging.

But... I'm 5ft 1" and weigh about 50kgs - when I suggest possible boats to friends their immediate reply is 'you'll be overpowered' or 'you're not big enough'...

... I also don't want a topper or a topaz uno or anything like that...

Is there a boat out there for me  ??? I sure hope so!

Any advice is greatfully received!

(p.s. the boats I suggested include: Laser/RS600/RS700/RS Vareo/Europe).

Ooo - I am going to have to do some investigating and decision making over the next few months! I'm looking forward to that! (My experience with motorbikes is that I can only fit on 2 supersport bikes that don't have to be lowered by 10cm - my size is a real issue - so it's nice to have a choice of 3 or 4 dinghies!)

Price is also kind of an issue so if the Europes are coming down in price that's definitely a positive - although if the perfect dinghy is out there and I fall in love price doesn't matter soooo much! Thanks for all your replies

Hi Liz,

If you are just getting back into dinghy sailing, my advice would be to not buy a boat just yet.  You have not said where you you live or which, if any, club you will be sailing at.  I think that it's a good idea to find a club first and see what boats are sailed there. You could even get a crewing job for a while until you get back into the sport.  At your size and weight it should be easy to get a few trips out with people in different classes of boat.

If you don't belong to a club, it would be a good idea to visit as many clubs as possible in your area, at least once, and check out what they have to offer in terms of sailing, racing, classes, facilities, friendliness, training, social side, etc., etc.  It's also a good idea to check out how many boats are regularly racing and look at result sheets to get a broader idea on numbers and classes. You may find a class that appeals to you which is regularly sailed at the club, if you do find one then you will have someone to race against, give you advice, etc.

Another option, if you can afford it, would be to go on holiday to a place like Minorca Sailing where you could try lots of different boats and get instruction and support. Finally, if you can, try to visit The Dinghy Show at Alexander Palace in London on 5th or 6th March 2005, when you will get the chance to get up to date on all that is new in dinghy sailing and talk to people with similar interests. If you buy the Dinghy Show preview edition of Y & Y then you will get the chance to study what will be on display at the show before you go. The edition comes out about two or three weeks prior to the show.  Whatever you do, don't buy a boat, particularly a second hand one, without taking someone with you who is reliable and knowledgable about the class and can check the boat out and can give you sound advice before you commit yourself..

I hope that this helps.

Ian  (Yorkshire Dales S.C.)

Hello Ian, Jim, Servus, Harry & Dave!

Having crewed in the Cherub nationals earlier in the year and seeing the Int Moths flying around they definitely look great fun! (But I do think a bit out of my league at the moment!!)

I sail at Cardiff - I'm a member of Cardiff Bay Yacht Club and they have RYA courses there and one of my friends is a 'teacher' - although it was him who at a presentation evening drunkenly suggested a Laser as they have a lot at the club. They are a friendly bunch and do hold a lot of races in Cardiff Bay - although the setup isn't perfect for dinghys it's close and it has water and (very variable) wind!

... So I'm kind of still in the dinghy sport (I am also the sailing Rep of Wales University Royal Navy Unit) - I've taken some people out in our Bosun dinghies a couple of times to teach them the basics of sailing but I think it's a lack of confidence and I really don't know my own ability - I need to get out on the water and practice (which is hard when you don't have your own boat and rely on others to sail).

Anyway, I'm definitely not rushing into any decisions and am noting all your suggestions down with the pros and cons. I think I'm going to have to get my contact book out and try to get some test sails of different dinghies! The Dinghy Show also sounds like a good opportunity to see and compare the different boats.

Thanks for the advice it's much appreciated

Liz

Hi Liz,

If you get Y&Y they did a review on the new Byte very recently. I believe it was Christina Bassdone that did the sailing bit.

Does look impressive and the rig looks very controllable and is 'self depowering' thanks to the fancy new carbon top section.

I would say it is definitely more for you than any of the Laser range. I am told that at 75kg I am ideal for a full rig Laser inland or a radial in waves. Not sure what the waves are like in Cardiff bay but I know a lad who is a member down there, his name is Rory Johnson, he sails a Laser and is a Uni in Cardiff.

I would say try and get a test sail in as many different types of boat as you can before you decide and then go for the one you like the best and that is sailed where you sail (handy for set up and technique)

Regards,

Paul

I'll just add a few observations.  The Europe is a real throroughbred and with the right rig you can make it fit your weight but it all costs a lot of money.  Soemone like Shirley Robertson was happy to spend enough money to try several rigs until she had a rig which suited her weight and style.  Most people can't afford that and when they buy a 2nd hand boat they gennerally have live with what they get.  If you could find a boat with the right rig I'd go for it because they are lovely boats.

Alternatively you'll have to have something out of a box, ie Laser or Byte.  The new Byte rig sounds good but are there other boats to race against - probably not?  I reckon you'd learn more and have more fun if you sail a boat that others sail at your club - regardless of your weight (as long as you don't go silly, ie don't buy a Finn).

Liz you could take a look at the Lightning (by Mark Giles). Sue Gilmore the  class secretary sails one at Oxford succesfully as do a couple of other people of your size/weight and she is pretty small. Might be worth making contact with her for a chat.

It is a nice boat boat with a performance about the same as the Solo , it has an unstayed mast and controls that work.

As I am a fat old git I have no axe to grind on this one!

yup i agree with sailor girl- 40kg is far too light for a byte, far too light for a topper or similar boat, maybe an oppy...

err - I weigh 50kgs not 40kgs... if it was my weight you were talking about

Hello! Regarding the Byte - I don't remember seeing any at my club - I'll do some asking around but they are mainly Lasers and Oppies. While I want to enter club racing initially I don't mind not having the same boat as everyone else - it's going to be a boat for me to learn in and get better in (hopefully!) I'm not sure there's much point getting a Laser if it's just going to be over powered constantly and it isn't the right boat to learn in...

The Europe is also high up my list of possibilities - there isn't anyone in Cardiff with a Europe (that I know of!) but I have friend in Bristol who knows a lot about them so I'll ask him for his thoughts

You would certainly not be overweight at 11 stone in a Europe, as this is a common weight for a lot of the male sailors in the class.

Regards the Streaker the National Champion is a Radial sailor, so I would guess the competitive weight is similiar.