New Boat
Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: General
Forum Name: Choosing a boat
Forum Discription: Ask any questions about the sport!
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=4651
Printed Date: 05 Aug 25 at 10:27pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: New Boat
Posted By: crossy3
Subject: New Boat
Date Posted: 15 Sep 08 at 12:36pm
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Hi folks, Im just coming back to dinghy sailing after a few years of only sailing crusers and am looking for some advice on a good singlehander. Im 27 and weigh about 16 stone and am about 6 foot. I wont something fun and reasonable quick, I was thinking about a supernova! I have between £2000-£3000 to spend and any thoughts and advice would be much appreiated. Thanks |
Replies:
Posted By: Merlinboy
Date Posted: 15 Sep 08 at 1:00pm
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Well Crossy, it depends on a number of things really, where are you going to be sailing?? My recommendations would be: Phantom - Ultimate big man hiker, great open circuit, performs well on handicap, can be very forgiving. Only drawback is the price really the demand far ouweighs the supply for that sort of money you would be looking for a GRP hull which are generally thought of as being heavy. Although they are an excellent entry into this massively growing class. Supernova - I dont really get, its kind of in between a phantom and a solo, doesnt perform particually well on handicap although you will get a decent boat for the money, and from what i understand there is a great friendly class association. Laser 8.1 (rooster) - Well its a laser with a big rig, Cheap, up and coming no hassle sailing. (i have not sailed one yet though so cant comment) Finn - Awesome olympic single hander, unfortunately very expensive and very few arround. Blaze- my brother sails one and he is exactly the same hight and weight as you, he performs very well in a blow, and very light winds, although has yet to prove himelf in medium (f2 - f3 winds) I wasnt overly keen on it but to be honest its a great class. Rs300- My favourite single hander (wish i hadnt sold mine) Awesome performance, although is probably the hardest hiking single hander to master. A handfull when the wind pipes up, super residule values, great class. With some of the best organised opens around. Just be prepared to get very wet while you learn.
All of the above you should be able to pic up for under £3k (perhaps not a recent finn)
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Posted By: jeffers
Date Posted: 15 Sep 08 at 1:40pm
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Hi Crossy3, I am 6ft 1 and 13.5 stone. I have owned a Blaze and currently sail a Rooster 8.1 I have also sailed a Phantom. My 2p for what it is worth... Phantom - Great boat very easy to sail until the wind gets up (for a lightweight like me). I borrowed one for a race ( a new epoxy one) and was 3-4 minutes ahead of a couple of the regular sailors when the kicker broke (a common problem if you have the wrong type of shackle but easily fixed for a few quid). Very nice boat, if I had the money i would buy one! Blaze - Great boat a pleasure to sail when the wind really gets up. As soon as you can plane you will leave pretty much everything for dead. Doesn't really perform unless it is very light or windy enough to plane (in my experience). It really is a joy when other boats get to survival conditions and you can fly around all over the pace (it planes upwinds in 15 kts plus when you get it right). Laser/8.1 - Everyone knows the Laser is a physical boat but it has its virtues. Fleets pretty much everywhere so always someone to race against. With the standard rig it does not perform well in sub planing conditions. The 8.1 helps a lot with this and the currently PY of 1051 looks about right (last year the limited returns suggested 1052 to the RYA). The other boats I have not had first hand experience of so I would not want to comment esp as others here sail them 9and will probably tell you they are the best boats since sailing was conceived as a sport). ------------- Paul ---------------------- D-Zero GBR 74 |
Posted By: Webmuppet
Date Posted: 15 Sep 08 at 3:38pm
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What about an RS Vareo, they carry weight well and I know where there's a good cheap one for sale! Nigel 
------------- I am the milkman of human kindness, I will leave an extra pint (Billy Bragg) Graduate 2530 'Galaxy' |
Posted By: crossy3
Date Posted: 15 Sep 08 at 4:43pm
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Thanks for the tips guys, Id love a Finn but possibly a bit beyond me but a Laser 8.1 may appeal and I guess if I only want to keep it a year and move onto something a bit advanced they are fairly easy to sell. The Vareo, does it really carry the weight well? How much do you want for it webmuppet? |
Posted By: Webmuppet
Date Posted: 15 Sep 08 at 5:04pm
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A PM is heading your way crossy, Nigel 
------------- I am the milkman of human kindness, I will leave an extra pint (Billy Bragg) Graduate 2530 'Galaxy' |
Posted By: tmoore
Date Posted: 15 Sep 08 at 6:15pm
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it all depends what you want out of a boat and where you sail. if i was you i would try and get a test sail in every boat which appeals to you. before you went to cruisers what sort of standard were you sailing at and what boats did you sail? ------------- Landlocked in Africa RS300 - 410 Firefly F517 - Nutshell Micro Magic RC yacht - Eclipse |
Posted By: Villan
Date Posted: 15 Sep 08 at 9:44pm
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Hah. Silence you. Just because you couldnt hack it. I dont think I have seen anyone whinge SO damn much. 40 knots? Never. I even struggle in 30. I have been out in those conditions, and SURVIVED. I never said i was in any raceable shape or form. I'll point out that I didnt break mine every time I sailed it, and I am not stupid enough with my money to go straight into a class with a brand new boat ... Having not gone for a 2nd hand boat for say, 6 months first. Just ignore TT, Hes just jealous of us whos metabolisms still work quicker than their "insert pie here" reflex. Anyway, Back on topic ... Try out a Vareo, you will be pleasantly surprised. Try to ignore the horror stories that our good friend TT left lying around after the kids went to bed. You could get a very good 2nd hand boat for £3000. They are cheap to insure, last forever (well, mine is still going and its 8 years old now!!) and the people on the circuit are a good laugh! ------------- Vareo - 149 "Secrets" http://www.TandyUKServers.co.uk" rel="nofollow - TandyUK Servers |
Posted By: Webmuppet
Date Posted: 15 Sep 08 at 10:35pm
Harsh, very harsh James  ........I'm sure TT's Phantom is just great (and I'd love to spend that much on a boat) but it's very expensive and there's a certain satisfaction in having a budget boat and returning to shore with a big smile on your face. The Vareo is a lot of fun and buying an older one gives you a lot of thrills for a relatively small outlay. Nigel ------------- I am the milkman of human kindness, I will leave an extra pint (Billy Bragg) Graduate 2530 'Galaxy' |
Posted By: laser4000
Date Posted: 15 Sep 08 at 11:36pm
All good advice - but I would just add what do they sail at your local club? It's more fun sailing a boat that you can chat to others about, and if you want to get into racing it'd be a lot more fun to sail a boat that's the same as the others. e.g. i f it's a 'solo' club then think hard about getting a solo rather than say a supernova.. If you don't know where your local club is then search on here under 'clubs and classes' |
Posted By: Villan
Date Posted: 16 Sep 08 at 12:22pm
Hehe, Got a smile out of me! As I have said before, I can survive it ... Never use the kite in that kinda breeze though!! (Submarined past the mast gate on most of the few times I did at the Nationals this year ... Damn waves!) ------------- Vareo - 149 "Secrets" http://www.TandyUKServers.co.uk" rel="nofollow - TandyUK Servers |
Posted By: Merlinboy
Date Posted: 16 Sep 08 at 12:23pm
 Quality, Villan he's doen ya there buddy!!!------------- |
Posted By: Villan
Date Posted: 16 Sep 08 at 12:43pm
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*Shrug* Whats the saying ... "Arguing on the internet is like running in the special olympics ... " I'll let someone else finish that off  ------------- Vareo - 149 "Secrets" http://www.TandyUKServers.co.uk" rel="nofollow - TandyUK Servers |
Posted By: Rockhopper
Date Posted: 18 Sep 08 at 5:23pm
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well i remember seeing villan swimming quite alot that is when he came out but fair dues to him at least he tryed to get out and sail. as for big boys boats i had a 300 which was great fun so quick upwind and on a reach but downwind once you learnt how to sail it a little boring (well that what i thought) i would reckmend the vareo every time fun upwind hard work yes but still what boat is easy to sail upwind.downwind with the kite in any breeze is just so much fun the only reason i sold the 300 was i found i missed having the kite . andy ------------- Retired now after 35 seasons in a row and time for a rest. 2004 national champ Laser5000 2007,2010,National Champ Rs Vareo |