Currently sailing a laser radial but starting to get itchy feet and keen to try something else.  Has to be singlehanded and suitable for my size.  I sail on sheltered coastal water and at the moment do the laser circuit.  Just not sure what else is out there thats suitable. 

Any ideas?

About this big...

Yep thats me - I'm about 5'6'' and around 67-68kg.  Been in the radial for years and just thinking would like to try a few other things maybe.

Had a go in an RS300 years ago and loved it but everyone at my club has told me I'm too small - not sure whether thats right or not though.  There are 2 at my club but they only come out once in a blue moon.  My club has a few Europes and bytes but main fleet is the radial. 

Just like to dispell a myth about the europe boom height, following a discussion with a radial sailor at the club we measured it. During a tack when the helm is crossing the boat there is more room under a Europe boom than a laser.  This is because the europe cockpit is deeper and with the new XD kicker systems the laser boom doesn't lift during a tack.  The europe is sailed upwind without kicker, the same as the OKs and Finns so during a tack as the mainsheet tension is released the boom lifts. 

Anyway enough of that, I might as well add a completely biased opinion whilst I'm here because that seems to be the done thing, so try a europe, it's the best boat in the world, perfect for somebody your size.  Contact the class through the website I'm sure we'll be able to sort you out a test sail.  http://www.europeclass.org.uk - www.europeclass.org.uk

Moomin  Europe GBR391

Have just emailed one of the Europe sailors to see if I can have a go in his - I sail at Weston so we do have a few.  Won't be so easy to try a RS300 again as only 2 here and think they both have big rig but hopefully get a try in that again too.

Duck

Fraggle, 

Your size and weight will be OK for the 300. You might be a bit light of the B rig but you can always reef that if need be which brings it to the same size as the A rig. The rig is very easy to depower. After a few sails you will soon find that throwing weight around in the boat won't help and that's it all technique. Why not get the adresses of those 300's at your club and write to them offerring money? You never know. But of course, try all the boats before you buy.

Cheers for that one - I seem to hit my head on my lasers boom often enough as it is!

I would have to agree either a europe or a Byte CII (I now have both!)  Honestly a 300 would be great but unless you are sh** hot they can be a real handful for someone of your weight in big wind and waves (even the A rig).  You will find that a lot of the lightweights in the class sail inland!

The Byte has a great rig and you will be able to sail it in any wind, speak to Maggie or Olwen to arrange a ride at Weston, they both sail there.

As for the Europe I'm to new to offer much of an opinion but I have chosen to buy one!

where did you get that interesting fact from? I think it is safe to say that the sailors are evenly split between sea and pond.  See the photos below. Two of the lightest sailors in the fleet sailing A rigs at the 2006 nats on the same day. One is a pond and one is a sea sailor. Can you tell which? 

http://fotoboat.thirdlight.com/viewpicture.tlx?albumid=68787&pictureid=3266312">

http://fotoboat.thirdlight.com/viewpicture.tlx?albumid=68787&pictureid=3266322">

There is a subtle difference between 'all' and 'a lot'!  And you will also notice I said unless your good (not my exact phrase but...)

ps. How many people under 70 kgs or using the A rig have placed top 5 in the Nats?

Agreed about making sure you try though!

rs300s are very cool if you want a good single hander - i'm a very similar build to you and have sailed one before, didnt fnd it much struggle, and there was a fair bit fo wind, but try it before you buy, you need to be quite nimble and fast reactions. They sit quite high when you capsize, heehee.

Have you thought about going double handed? There's a lot to be said for sailing with someone else, as either helm or crew, you learn a lot. I crewed after helming for ages, and am addicted now. Its a great tool to have.

Out of 31 boats, on first count there were 3 A rigs and one in the top ten. Does that count? Ok you have to be good, but not a sailing God and besdies, the 300 will improve you to the required standard provided you stick with it. It worked for me!

The RS300 is the one that appeals most for boat itself but fleet racing is non existent in the class at my club whereas the Europe has a fleet.  No offence to Byte sailors but they seem too small and slow to me.  Will see what I think of the Europe this weekend and if the RS300's at my club appear over the winter will try and get a go on one of them too.

Used to sail double handed but have no crew anymore and I'm a rubbish crew as I boss my helm around too much.  Had a go helming an RS800 a few months ago which I really enjoyed (even when I tacked without unhooking ooops!) but no one to sail with regularly.  Plus my OH is trying to convince me to stick with radial as he's a laser sailor and makes things much easier for travelling to events.

If your after some thing a bit more exciting than the Laser Europe, Byte option there is always the International Canoe.

Asymetric or standard mode available to suit your sailing venue. Plus your the 'right' weight for one!

Try and get a go in one - it will blow you away up wind....

Ah you can't boss your helm around if you're being a monkey at the front too!  Mutual repsect is the way forwards! You can both learn together and climb up the fleet - a new challenge!

i am aout 5ft 9ish and only 67kg. i also sailed a radial beforehand. my first sail was in an A rig and i loved everyminute of it. i now have bought a boat with a B rig. fully powered up in about 5knots. but the boat depowers SOOOOO easily. lots of kicker and downhaul 'al la laser' (excuse spelling etc).

i love the boat to bits and find it great fun to sail on the sea. you do need to be faster and more in tune with the boat. it also requires MUCH more concentration that the radial. but you will feel the rewards. have yet to take it out in extreme conditions. but in a f4 was going nicely upwind with a bit more depowering capacity.

when you first get into it you will be shattered after each sail. it is seriously hard work. but in my view, worth the extra effort. one thing i can promise you is that you wont get bored in this boat for a long time.

tom