I am looking for advice on what dinghy to buy. I currently sail an enterprise but want to change it for something more modern and competetive, (also fed up with the maintenance involved with wooden boats).

Including my crew we have a combined weight of 24st and are both about 6foot. We are seriously considering getting an rs 200 as they seem like a really fun boat that are quite testing without being beyond our capabilities. (really fancied the rs400 but our club won't allow them as their y/s is below 1000) Any advice on other classes would be great. GP's are ok but can't somehow get enthusiastic about them, merlins are too technical and expensive to be competetive. We are looking at spending ideally between £3000 - £3500 Please helppppp!!! Just want something thats got a pretty good turn of speed and not too stable so we can improve on our swimming

cheers

steve

the rs200 sounds great but have you considered the laser 2000?  the best bit of advice is to try the boats first!

You are a tad big for a 200, but hell you'll still have fun.  The other alternative is the Lark, or Kestrel.  A Laser2000 is probaly better at taking the weight but is a bit stodgy when the wind is light.

But what is more important is what other boats are sailed at your club?

If you really fancy something like a 400 then your other option could be to find a club that will accept it or has an existing fleet.

If changing club is an option then you widen your choice of classes.

Just a thought.

Thanx for the advice everyone! Can anybody tell me anymore about the laser 2000 as I assumed it was more of a family boat (I am just about holding on to my youth at 29 hmmm ok well thats debatable)

Whats the Kestrel like?

There are lots of different classes at my club to be honest, about 3 or 4 laser 2000s, quiite a few merlins, a few GPs, larks, ents, etc. Most popular are the lark but seem to be sailed by adult helm and tiny adult crew!

Had a sail in an rs 200 last sunday and really enjoyed it. The boom seems reasonably high giving the crew a bit more room. It was also comfortable when hiking out and the genaker was great fun! Only trouble is, other sailors at the club have said we are way way overweight.  I've since found out that the max recommended weight is 21st, so I guess 24st is a bit much but not really sure how much of a disadvantage it will actually be for racing (apart from light winds). Trouble is there is too much choice but nothing ideal.

ste

Actually its not in light winds that your weight is a particular disadvantage - as long as you can keep it forward enough to keep the transom out of the water.  No its in the medium breezes that it makes a difference - when the lighter crews can plane and you can't, there is then a big difference in speed.

The 2000 is slower than a 200, by about 4%, but probably easier to sail up to its handicap in all but the lightest breezes - especially if you are on the heavy side.  The Kestrel is a little faster still but uses a conventional spinnaker, which is a great advantage on restricted waters and they are well bult and cheap.

I'd try all the classes sailed at your club if I were you.

yeah they are, and are currently looking for scorpions boat to do the trial

due to unforseen circumstances the Scorpion sailors have had to drop out, so If you are a Scorpion owner available on the 26th and Fancy trying a Lark and Kestral, let us know by e-mailing
mailto:claire@seascapemedia.co.uk - claire@seascapemedia.co.uk

How about keeping the Ent at Frensham (just guessing thats your club), and sailing it at fun times like the evening races.

Then get an RS400 (for which you are an ideal weight) and come and sail that at Burghfield (just south of Reading). We have a number of members who drive up from that area for the close racing we get (between 8 and 18 400's each Sunday).

Have you tried canvassing your sailing committee to see if they will allow RS400?

Worth a go - they could change the rule to allow this class only and prevent any trapeze boats.

Given your criteria, get a wayferer world, if you can find one in your budget (should be able to).  Asymetric, 24 stone is about optimum weight and handicap is under 1000 as far as i know. 

Otherwise if you can move to a club that will let you have something faster and you still want something that is not to taxing but will blow you away with performance for your budget and weight the only way to go is the B14.  24 stone is perfect and the best second hand boats on the market (win races straight off the trolley) will set you back £3000 on the nose. 

Hope this helps

Thanx everyone! Some great advice there, I think we are going to consider a different club.