As an owner of an RS Vision, which is an excellent boat, am I alone in having something of an inferiority complex when I look at the fibreglass Laser 2000s? Plastic though robust and an excellent material just feels a little downmarket in comparison.

I am currently selling the Vision (see Ebay) to get something I can sail single-handed (unreliable crew issue) but am very uncertain of what to get.

The Laser 1 is a great boat but having to take the mast off every outing to slide on the sail, having a dagger board stuck up in the cockpit when on a run and lack of a freely draining transom just seems a bit cheap and nasty.  Seems rather an outdated design now and not quite a 'real' boat for grown-ups.

Also, I will possibly have the occasional crew/passenger which it would be nice to accomodate if possible.

I thought the RS Vareo might be the answer but it gets rather a slating in this forum so perhaps not.

What about an L3000 or V3000?  Rather a lot of sails for single hander but I gather not too difficult and with L3000 there seems a lot of boat for the money.

Trouble with any compromise is that a boat is not going to be the best at anything.  Is it better to go for a single hander with room for a passenger or a double hander that can be sailed by one person?

The alternative is that I give up the idea of passengers and get a decent single hander such as an RS600, a Blaze, an RS300, a Solution or a Contender.  Phantom also looks good but at 82KG I am probably too light. 

Help!!!!!

Have a look at the OK to suit your singlehanded needs!

82 Kg is a good weight, but you might need a fairly bendy rig.

Agree with your last sentance, don't buy a compomise. 82Kg is not too light for a Phantom.

I would go for a Phantom, Solution, RS300, or a Contender if you want to trapeze.

Most experienced sailors don't consider the likes of the RS Vision a serious boat. Manufacturers main market is the holiday companies and people that don't know any better. (Helmet now secure and awaiting incoming abuse.)

Laser not a real boat? Try sailing it properly! If you have only sailed a Laser on holiday there is no comparision with a top spec GXD. I bought my first Laser in 1977 and apart from the rubbish sail (but that's a different story) it keeps getting better.

I personally would not consider a two man boat for regular single handed sailing.

What about a cat such as a Sprint 15 or Shadow? No space issues when sailing 2 up.

As always your decision really depends on where you are going to be sailing. If you are a club member it's always a good idea to join an existing class rather than to do your own thing.

Many a thread on this all ready.

As Rick says check your local club out and what classes are being sailed. You will probably enjoy racing boat on boat far more than on your own. You will also find most club members gladly offering help and advice on the same class of boat you chose.

At your weight you have a really good range of boats open to you and my little personal plug would be the RS300 (Identical weight to our current national champion). Light responsive fast and real fun if a little challenging. It has often been said of the 300 that it is a boat you will find yourself sailing purely for fun  and all ways coming off the water with a smile.

Good luck with your choice.

Sounds like the Vision has done it's job pretty well- got you hooked on sailing, got you a bit of experience, and got you a bit of knowledge so you at least know and understand a bit of what you're after.

I'd agree that going for a "proper" single-hander is the best route- compromises rarely please. If you'll occasionally have a potential passenger, most clubs will have a couple of boats such as Wayfarers available to hire (some have more exciting boats as well).

Originally posted by vscott And every owner will promote their own class

Nah, don't get a Contender they're rubbish.

Thanks for the great responses. I sail at Chichester.  They have a very active Solo fleet, like most clubs several Lasers and then an assortment that make up the handicap fleet.

Solo does look rather dull though perhaps I can be convinced that pipe and slippers are not compulsory!

Yes, my laser sailing has been all on holiday boats so probably not a good representation of the breed though I still feel laser could do with an update from scratch rather than just incremental changes - sort of a Pico with more punch. I did wonder about the Rooster 8.1 mod though.

I like the RS300 but wonder what the learning curve is like on one and how much wind I could cope with.  Stability doesn't look to be on the menu of features.  Chap at RS said it is a lot more extreme than the RS600 for example.

The Blaze ticks a lot of my needs so is certainly on the shortlist.

Perhaps Phil I should also take a look at the Vareo again despite the sl*gging it gets here.

Streaker looks pretty but rather high on PY at 1162 which is even higher than the Solo at 1155.

The Solution is very appealing though I have not seen one in the flesh.

Phantom still loks rather a beast.  Similar sail area to the Blaze but without the wings to help keep the power under control by getting out far enough.

If you want a try in a Blaze contact us at Cirrus ( http://www.cirrusrace.com - www.cirrusrace.com ) or the class association.  Your weight is right in the middle and the boat generally sells itself to a great many.  Might not be what suits you but simply try it and all the the other ones that grab you !  

If you are within striking distance of QMSC on the 18/19th come along and watch the 'Third time Lucky' 2008 Blaze National championships.  The first TWO attempts in June and late September at Stone SC BOTH had to be abandoned after just two races each time in extremely light and fickle winds and strong tide - ie no series and no declared result.  The 2-day Inlands has therefore been renamed and  replaced by 'The Nationals' !  Good opportunity to see plenty of boats and maybe even try - so far in the previous two attempts we have had 58 individual boats turn up on the start lines   .... nobody could write this script !  See Utube 'Blaze 2008 Nationals'  for off water 'activity' ... some at least enjoyed Stone's bar.   

Blaze 720

RS300 more extreme then a 600!!! Think the guy got a bit mixed up to be honest. There is a learning curve to the 300 but once you get reasonably good you will be able to sail pretty much anything competitively as it teaches you everything and punishes you when you cock up but you just know when everything goes right.

the vareo will sail to its handicap if you are doing upwind downwind i have overtaken rs 400 when going downwind .

i have had rs300 and vareo the 300 was great relly enjoyed sailing it but after you get the hang of it you find you want more fun again so i went out and bought another vareo which you can sail whatever the weather unlike the 300 which seems really hard work when you have over one meter waves which happens quite alot at our club.i would say gor for a test sail in a vareo you will find it great fun with the kite up not quite so fun upwind but what boat is easy going upwind apart from ones with a trapeze.

andy

Still chewing over the options.

Quite keen on the Vareo because of spinnaker and capability to take a passenger. Very much like the Blaze and the Solution. Dismissed the RS300 as being unsuited to the erratic winds we get at Chichester.

These are all great boats but relative to older designs like the Phantom and Contender they are quite pricey.

In particular I notice you can pick up Contenders for peanuts.  How do they compare with the modern boats mentioned?  I have never helmed from a trapeze but it looks more comfortable than hiking and better able to cope with more power.

If you are at Chichester there are a couple of Blazes there already - I'm sure if you ask they will help you decide and the CA can put you in touch if you do not know them ...  and yes if wanting an epoxy hull makes you a  boat snob well you can add the Blaze to the list now as well - but ask yourself why people want them.  But seriously a down to weight polyester boat, fully foamed and vacuum bagged can still be very very good indeed.  But still be a bit careful about 'bargain' boats though - they are usually priced that way for good reason.   

As ever try all the ones you like the look of, ideally in a reasonable breeze, then make your choice. 

Blaze 720

Yes.  I spoke to Andy Conway at CYC last sunday - very much an advocate for the Blaze.  Even in very light wind, though, he was so far ahead of the rest of the fleet (mainly Solos and a few Lasers) that it can't have been much of a competition for him.  There are a number of faster boats in the club but few seem very active in the recing programme.

The most popular boat for racing at CYC is undoubtably the Solo but good ones do seem very expensive and, even then, rather dull.

.... we could ask Andy to slow down a bit so more can see what it is all about !   and you say that is in the light stuff ... how does he go when it  blows !?

Better idea ...give him a bit more competition.  Or we could organise a bunch of other Blazes along ...  

Blaze720