Graduate
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=5090
Printed Date: 07 Aug 25 at 4:18am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Graduate
Posted By: dics
Subject: Graduate
Date Posted: 22 Jan 09 at 2:40pm
|
So further to my previous thread about a boat for the young one I have seen a Graduate for sale. Can anyone give me the low down on these boats? Are they wobbly and unsuitable or stable and suitable for taking out a 4 year old? Any bad things to look out for and so on. Thanks Rich |
Replies:
Posted By: craiggo
Date Posted: 22 Jan 09 at 3:03pm
|
Rich,
Grads are great boats. They are pretty stable and you'll be fine taking your 4yr old out in it. I started crewing for my dad in 1982 when I was 5 at Southport SC, and we raced it week in week out, to the point where we upgraded and bought a newer boat. The sheet loads on the jib are light enough that a 5yr old should be able to handle it unless its stupid windy and even then it usually only requires a small extra pull from the helm just to tweek it in that final little bit. Essentially the boat is easy enough to sail that you could take it out singlehanded. The class seems to be increasing in popularity at the moment with many old grad sailors returning with their own children and they might even get some new boats built this year. The boatyard at Beer are currently taking orders for new boats built to the Alpha shape. In terms of what to look out for, if its a wooden boat then rot is the obvious problem. Check around the hog and the centreboard bolt as these are where dampness can first materialise. GRP boats are generally more robust so just make sure its all there. Also bear in mind that the class has adopted a change in the mainsail measurements so yif its an old grad your looking at it will probably have older sails, that said the new Rooster sails seem very sensibly priced. Ian Foxwell is a good guy to talk to, and seems to be doing the rounds at the moment with all the pursuit races going on. What sail number is the boat you've seen ? Also if you havnt done so already check out the Grad website and forum. Paul |
Posted By: dics
Date Posted: 22 Jan 09 at 3:25pm
|
Paul Its a "Supergrad" sail number 2596' GRp construction. I think I will give the guy a call tonight to see if I can view it at the weekend. |
Posted By: Adam MR 1137
Date Posted: 22 Jan 09 at 3:53pm
|
Hi Dics I learnt how to sail in a grad, despite being 18 at the time!! They are great boats, and my family still own 2447 (although it is in the garage at momet needing some major work doing to replace damp ply!! While learning I regularly singlehanded the grad in lighter weather, as a 6 ft 15 stone male I suffer with being too heavy to be competitive in the class. But it taught me the basics well. I would agree with craig that the sheet loads on the jib should be fine. 2447 has been looked after and is still very competitive in the right hands on our river, so there is no reason why 2596 will not be. Although we have not upgraded to the new sail plan, given that we are far to heavy to be class competitive anyway, so I cannot comment on how it sails. All the reports are excellent though, and they do look very well priced. Adam ------------- Merlin rocket 1137 OK 2049 Can be seen at http://www.wellandyachtclub.co.uk/ - WYC |
).Posted By: JimC
Date Posted: 22 Jan 09 at 4:10pm
| There's a *very* good sailor at our club who sails one with his youngster. The lads older than 4, but I wouldn't have thought more than 6 or 7. The boat is 277something: I don't know how old that is, not new I don't think, though its got very nice new rags on. They are quite devastatingly quick in the lighter stuff and have hideously embarrassed pretty much every one of us in their preferred conditions. However they just got a top 10 result at the BM which makes the rest of us feel a bit better! |
Posted By: stuarthop
Date Posted: 22 Jan 09 at 4:15pm
| You can also get new rules grad sails from alverbanks |
Posted By: Isis
Date Posted: 22 Jan 09 at 4:17pm
|
I spent a lot of time in the front of a Grad when I was a little 'un... Had a lot of fun in them. Seem to remember them having a fairly large jib for their size but ive not seen one in the flesh for years... definantly dont remember that being a problem, though it did need an extra tug from the helm to get the last inch or two in in the windy stuff occasionaly. |
Posted By: dics
Date Posted: 22 Jan 09 at 4:31pm
It sounds good and I am not hell bent on getting her into the boat and sailing asap either. Even if she spends more time playing in the boat on the front lawn rather than on the water that is a great start in getting a child familiar and comfortable with a boat. My only reseveration is that she will not grow into it for some time prompting me to buy her another boat sooner rather than later. Whereas something like a Mirror she will be able to get sailing and once she is a little older take it out herself and with her brother while I revert back to 300ing. But they do seem to be a good buy and look good enough to do some estuary cruising and a picnic for the little ones plus Dolly. I guess as boats go it's cheap enough not to loose out.
|
Posted By: craiggo
Date Posted: 22 Jan 09 at 5:18pm
|
Once your little one is capable of taking a Mirror out with her Brother she will almost definately be capable of taking the Grad out as long as its not blowing old boots, I remember taking my dads out when I was 7or8 with my Cousin crewing.
2596 looks a good solid boat, although not necessarily in full race spec it will do the job perfectly. |
Posted By: HannahJ
Date Posted: 22 Jan 09 at 8:08pm
|
Mirror! Much bigger youth scene ( I think?) and RYA backing as well as it's own training and racing programme if she gets interested.
------------- MIRROR 64799 "Dolphin" The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist hopes it will change; the realist adjusts the sail |
Posted By: Merlinboy
Date Posted: 22 Jan 09 at 11:20pm
|
i used to on 2718 back in the early 90's she was an awesome boat, and with my (at the time lightweight) devastatingly quick! We won most thing at our club with me crewing! I was thinking of one to get my little girl into sooner rather then later, you wont be disappointed! ------------- |
Posted By: ifoxwell
Date Posted: 23 Jan 09 at 8:45am
|
I'm a current Grad sailor and must say that if your primary target is a boat for your 4 year old then you should look at a mirror HOWEVER If its a boat for you sail that you children can enjoy as well, then a Grad would be a much better bet. There is plenty of room in them and a reasonable amount of sail, yet they are easily managed and as said many are routinly sailed single handed. So if your children just want to come along for the ride then thats fine, however if they want to join in then they are a nice stable platform from which to learn on. And as has already been mentioned. The class is growing again now. There is a lot of interest in the fleet from past owners (like myself) that are returning and new owners that realise that they offer exceptional value for money, good racing and a friendly fleet you will not find. Ian
|
Posted By: Rupert
Date Posted: 23 Jan 09 at 4:31pm
|
As a Firefly sailor with small kids I'm in a very similar position. We own a Mirror which the 8 year old feels happy helming, and the Firefly (which fits the same role as the Grad) which he is happiest crewing. He started crewing in races a couple of years ago given the right weather, and my 6 year old has started too. We also own a Puffin for the early learning process and for rowing around in and being silly. It is a fair amount more comfy for an adult than an Oppi, and enough smaller than the Mirror for the kids to handle it themselves more easily on the land. ------------- Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686 |
Posted By: drifter
Date Posted: 26 Jan 09 at 1:19pm
|
I know who you mean-he is very good! That boat was built in 1978 according to the Graduate database. Grads do have a long competitive life. And a handicap bandit in the lighter stuff, particularly inland. ------------- Stewart |