Topaz Tres, Topaz Vibe or RS Feva XL?
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=5770
Printed Date: 07 Aug 25 at 8:40am
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Topic: Topaz Tres, Topaz Vibe or RS Feva XL?
Posted By: Mister Nick
Subject: Topaz Tres, Topaz Vibe or RS Feva XL?
Date Posted: 01 Aug 09 at 5:59pm
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Hi everyone, I'm looking into getting a new boat to sail with my brother. I am 13 and he is 11, and together we weigh around 11 stone. At the moment, my level of qualification is RYA level 2, but I have been told by numerous people that I am beyond that now and would pass the Seamanship Skills exam with eas. I currently sail a Laser Pico, but to be honest I have sailed it for 2 years, added a race sail and even managed to fit a gennaker to it and still sail it succesfully so I think I need to move onto something else in order for me to gain more experience. I am torn between an RS Feva, a Topaz Tres and a Topaz Vibe. All seem to be very good boats and I think all of them are viable option, I'm just not sure which one would be best. I have sailed a Topaz Tres a few times with my Scout Group (We have 2 Topaz Race X's, 4 Topaz Duo's and a Topaz Tres) so I have a bit of experience with it, but not much. I have seen a lot of RS Feva's and they seem like very popular boats for teams around me and my brothers weight, and I have also sailed a Topaz Race X regularly (Again, with my scout group) and that is fairly similar to the RS Feva. The Topaz Vibe seems really close to the RS Feva aswell, in terms of size and sail area, and it would also allow my dad to sail with me easily when the wind gets too much for my brother(he is not a big fan of sailing in force 4+). The cheapest of all of them is the Tres, so it would be easy to choose it but I have read that they are awkward boats to use, so I'm not at all sure. If anyone could give me a hand it would be much appreciated, especially if they were around my own age, but I don't really mind. Thanks! FEEL FREE TO SUGGEST OTHER BOATS ASWELL!!!! |
Replies:
Posted By: FireballNeil
Date Posted: 01 Aug 09 at 7:02pm
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I would get the Feva as there is a proper class and racing
circuit ------------- Neil 
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Posted By: Mister Nick
Date Posted: 01 Aug 09 at 7:30pm
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Hmm, thanks for the advice, although to be honest I'm not going to be doing any of the official racing, just 'sunday afternoon' stuff for a laugh.
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Posted By: FireballNeil
Date Posted: 01 Aug 09 at 7:39pm
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Well I would say the feva is the best of the three as a
boat, ignoring the racing circuits. ------------- Neil
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Posted By: Mister Nick
Date Posted: 01 Aug 09 at 7:55pm
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Okay, I think your idea is really good. I'm debating it with my brother right now and trying to come to a conclusion as to what he wants to do aswell. Thanks very much!
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Posted By: zailor
Date Posted: 01 Aug 09 at 11:39pm
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Easy RS feva XL No boubt it IS the best boat in that list, end of story. I loved my Feva to bits and nothing to this day is more thrilling than a feva with the kite up in a F6. Best small dinghy to be made sice the stone age. Buy the feva no more questions. Yes I am slightly bias 
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Posted By: radixon
Date Posted: 01 Aug 09 at 11:49pm
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I have sailed a feva, been in a topaz duo (ok not tres) and also the vibe. The Feva gave more of a thrill, it is set up nicely and there are boats available second hand too and you will be able to sell on after without a problem. ------------- |
Posted By: FireballNeil
Date Posted: 02 Aug 09 at 1:17am
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Please retract the best boat in a F6 statement! I would
pick something more like a Fireball in a F6, at least something with a trapeze ------------- Neil
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Posted By: Andymac
Date Posted: 02 Aug 09 at 8:54am
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Yes you probably would ...but not recommended for a 13 / 11 year old team weighing 11 stone between them! |
Posted By: ham4sand
Date Posted: 02 Aug 09 at 9:22am
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for that weight, possibly a standard laser vago with a
trapeze and then upgrade to the big sails as u mature, prob a bit expensive, but some cheap 2nd hand boats out there in this financial climate... alot of fun in a force 6 ------------- John Hamilton cherub 2645 - cheese before bedtime cherub 3209 - anatidaephobia laser 176847 - kiss this [FORSALE] |
Posted By: Mister Nick
Date Posted: 02 Aug 09 at 10:58am
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Wow, the Feva seems really good, you guys seem to like it a lot. I looked at it at the London Boat Show and it seemed pretty cool. The problem is, my brother really seems to dislike the Feva. He just doesn't like the way it looks, and he thinks he will get bored just having a jib and a spinnaker to use sometimes (I'm not sure why he holds that opinion, I'm always fine with just the spinnaker). He says his favourite by far is the Tres, because he likes the trapeze etc. I'm trying to talk him into it  I will look into the vago aswell, I think I sailed one in France when I was 6 with my dad, not sure though. ------------- |
Posted By: zailor
Date Posted: 02 Aug 09 at 12:20pm
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I dont think the Trez trapeze will keep you thrilled for long I think thats for kids. If you really want to trapeze then the S rig Laser vago. I have it now and I can sail that solo at 60KG. The reefing option lets you use it in the windier stuff. If you have not trapezed before or are new to Aysametrics I still think the feva is best. If he thinks he will get bored try to borrow one when its very windy. you wont want to sail anything else!!!!! |
Posted By: gerunamo=]
Date Posted: 02 Aug 09 at 3:56pm
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i was a crew in feva national squad for a year or so and there is plenty for the crew to do in the feva... for example upwind you are in control of the jib, kicker, and outhaul. i really recommend the feva as it an awesome little boat which can deliver the thrills without a lot of spills.. also they are easy to get hold of and get rid of. i can however honestly say that is notthe best thing in a F6 but they are very well-mannered and easy to sail when it gets windy.. just the gybes can sometimes be an issue. feel free to pm with any more questions as i would be happy to help g=] ------------- 49er 884 |
Posted By: Mister Nick
Date Posted: 02 Aug 09 at 6:16pm
Wow, I didn't think the feva would get such a good response  .I think I will probably go for the Feva then, thanks very much everyone, you have all been really helpful! ------------- |