Hi All,

Quick question if I may.  I'm contemplating (this is not definite by any means) buying a cheap and cheerful doublehander to sail occasionally and was wondering what would be a good choice.  The following points are relevant:

• I sail a singlehander regularly so this is occasional!
• I would be looking to sail with my wife, who is really a non-sailor, so it needs to be sensible, easy-to-learn and not too tippy.  A kite is optional but definitely not necessary.
• I would sail it at Frensham, so it would only be for racing.  There's no point having anything too quick or complicated.  Neither should it be painfully slow (I'm thinking Mirror here...).
• It would have to be a stealth buy (i.e. "You wouldn't believe it darling, there was someone giving away this very nice and amazingly cheap boat - do you feel like a sail some time?!") so I'm looking for something that can be picked up really cheaply for a vaguely competitive club racer.

At the moment I'm thinking about: Ent, GP, Grad, Miracle.  Because it's usually relatively calm at Frensham I probably wouldn't rule out something a little more rapid, though.  I would also prefer it if it was something with an OK class association just in case she decides it's fun!

Advice appreciated!

Thanks,

Scully

Frensham calm! you wait

Do you want sail a single hander (what is it) at FPSC the same day? The classes at Frensham are set up so that if you have a Laser and want to sail the double hander the same day, you want a GP or Fast Handicap (RS200/Lark). Same thing appllies to the OKs in theory (which now race with the Ents in theory but I have not seen any one class racing for a year). Nick Craig does do the occasional Weds Handicap in his OK (one wonderful race I was in front of him on the water with my 8.1...).

You could have a slow double hander and sail it in the slow handicap (Solo speed or less), but you might not get a berth if it is not a 'favoured boat' (one I have mentioned). Frensham is a Cadet club, so a Mirror might not be the best idea!

If you want a Solo or a fast handicap single hander (e.g. Phantom - the club has one on loan at present), then you can have an Ent.

You can't have a trapeze boat or one bigger than 16 foot (would get stuck between jetties).

The Ents and FH have about the same turnout. There are some good sailors with 200's who don't sail them very often at FPSC but you could trounce us in the 200 as we are overweight and rubbish. You could probably pick up a Lark cheaper than a 200 so it would probably best fit the 'accidental' purchase.

HTH.

Colin Hammond

FPSC Laser Class Captain

Laser 164399 "Yet More Trouble"/Rooster 8.1 220/RS 200 1259 "JuJu" 

Interesting idea, James... not sure I can put myself through that again, though!  There are no other Laser 2s out at Frensham, and what would I do about handicap?

I'm still chortling at Colin's Frensham calm comment, particularly given Wednesday's debacle - and am waiting with eager anticipation for it to blow!  Although I did dunk it to windward up the beat in about 3 knots on Sunday.  (Helpful post though, thanks.)

I think a Lark might be a possibility but I think they're a little tippier than I was looking for.