Hi there I’m a long term lurker looking for some advice on a class
change. I currently own a composite Solo but don’t have time for
maintenance. A competitive FRP Solo is out of my price range and also
fancy something a bit quicker and which would perform better on handicap
in the conditions in which I sail.. Family and work commitments mean
that my sailing is occasional and random pointing to another single
hander

I came relatively late to sailing and am somewhere between a novice and
sailing towards rge rear of the fleet.
 
I’m early forties, reasonably fit, short 1.56 m with relatively short
legs and fairly broadly built, 70 – 75 kg depending on the number of
visits to the pie shop.  I sail on an estuary with reasonably consistent
wind and other than the Laser and Topaz there are no established single
handed classes at my club. I don’t have the time or inclination to do a
circuit so I’m only looking at handicap racing at my local club.

I have owned and sailed a laser, where this was the only class sailed,
but never really got on with them, I can’t seem to get my backside
sufficiently hikied out to sail comfortably. Giving in to age would like
something more comfortable.

I don’t want anything with too steep a learning curve, particularly
sailing once every 3 – 4 weeks and not too technical. My budget is £2-
2.5 k tops but would maybe like to spend less.

The options I am considering with my thoughts on them, nothing seems to
tick all my boxes and having no direct experience would like some other
opinions and some first hand experience. I’m also interested in other
suggestions that meet my criteria.

Blaze 

Probably where my heart lies.
I’m at the bottom end of the weight range, does this mean that I am
going to struggle with the boat.

Byte CII

Towards the top of the weight range, is it going to be dog slow to sail
in light winds?
How does in perform on handicap in estuary conditions? Is it more of an
inland boat?
Does the reduction in beam improve things over a laser for the
vertically challenged?

Supernova

I understand that this  is very similar to a laser with much better
controls, am I likely to have the same issues with being able to get
sufficient weight out the balance the boat?

i once sailed a byte (with their small, brightly coloured rig) and is was absolutely horrible. felt like a laser with about 2foot cut off the back and VERY heavy sheeting. this may not have been rigged correctly though as i cant believe a bethwaite boat can be such a dog.

last year i was looking at singlehanders from which to move out from a laser and at about 68kg was sort of in the same boat. i went for an rs300 but from the sounds of it they might be a bit much for the amount you sail.

cant comment on either of the other two's sailing wise but the blaze is very popular and once you have the mast up its simple to hoist the sail do the rudder and board and off you go....

another thought, how about the streaker? again not sailed one but they are fairly light and apparently easy to sail yet tactical and relatively fast.... worth a look i think.

hope this helps

tom

From the boats you suggest I'd get the blaze. I'm the same weight as you and along with the 29er its only only boat that I would happily take out in any weather, even though as you say, we are a bit light for them.

You wont know if you like it until you try it so id suggest talking to the association, there a real friendly bunch, and swould sort you out a test sail, or do what I did when I was first considering a Blaze, just buy it and give it six months to see how it goes. There in such demand that if you dont like it you'll sell it again easily enough.

Like Tom I dont like the Byte, and I dont find the new rig any better, its just to bendy for me and I found it hard to keep the new sail under control. Especialy when the Europe is the same size boat but considerably nicer to sail. In fact you could do a lot worse than a Europe. Dont be put off by the low boom however they are quite technical to sail if you want to get the best out of them.

Cant talk about the Super nova I'm afraid. Never appealed so Ive never had one.

Ian

I can beat our only supernova in my laser in most conditions, however, he has the edge in light winds due to fully battened sail etc.

another option may be the phantom, but you would be at the bottom of the optimum weight range.

Supernova sounds ideal.  My Dad sails one at Haversham, where they have a huge fleet.  Not sure where your based but contact anyone at Haversham and you'd probably be able to get a sail on one to have a try.

You don't seem to have to hike as hard in the supernova as in the laser (My Dad really doesn't agree with hiking and is still getting very reasonable results).  The fully battened rig gives it good lightwind speed but I am usually up with or ahead of them in my radial when it blows.

Streaker is the other option that sounds like it might suit but I've never sailed one so can't comment.

Ok I sail the CII and a Europe so:

70-75KG your right at the top of the weight range to be competetive at opens but I guess as longs as you stay 75 or under you'd be fine handicap.  Actually they are very quick in light airs (new rig), I regularly beat lasers on the water in quig-doh conditions.  'feels like Laser with 2 foot chopped off'....mmmm oh yer and a decent size cockpit, more comfy hiking position and far narrower waterline....in fact it feels nothing like laser!!  Sheet lods can be high if you only rig 3-1 but with the option to go anywhere between 3-1 and 5-1 you can pick your own sheet speed vs purchase.  The new rig is cracking, I sail at 70kg and have no trouble keeping it shut, if you did get one PM me for heavyweight set up.  Unfortunatly the boat has been stiched up by the RYA with a shocker of a trial number because of the new rig.  Same as a Europe!! I own both and I can tell you now the only time you'll sail to the same handicap as a Europe is in a F1-2, and possibly a f5+

The Europe hull has a nicer feel in waves than the Byte and is a bit more comfy to hike (not that the byte in uncomfy), however the rig isn't as good.  You hve to expend a lot effort on working the controls to get the best out of it.  Where as you get similar amounts of drive out of a smaller rig on the Byte and it's simpler to manage.  The europe will carry your weight better and you can get the right band of mast to suit your weight.  The low boom is only a pain in light airs any other time it pops up nicely when you relase mainsheet tension. 

In short I enjoy sailing both and either would be a suitable boat.