Hello,

I'm trying to choose a dinghy to keep in the North of Scotland for use initially only during vacations. (Next year we may relocate to Scotland and I can use it more often).

I'm 38, with a lot more enthusiasm than experience having done some windsurfing and done dinghy sailing (lasers mostly) on holidays.

I've phoned the local sailing club and they race handicap races with a mixture of single and double handed. All that I know just now is that they have a few Lasers and a few Phantoms as well as some double handers.

I would like to race double handers calling in even less experienced relatives to crew.

I'm not planning on winnning many races but would like to be able to at least be in the mix rather than bringing up the rear.

Am planning on keeping it outdoors.

Budget is flexible, I'm more concerned about getting good value and not buying unecessary kit.

Would like to be able to potter about on my own, or with friends, as well as race double handed.

Have been thinking of 2nd hand Laser 2000, or Topaz Magno or RS Vision.

From the Handicap numbers it looks like the Vision (1078) would be the fastest followed by the Laser 2000 (1086) and then the Magno (1200). I'm assuming from these figures that the Laser and Vision should be able to keep up with the single handers but maybe not the Magno. Shame because I like the size and durability of the Magno, but if it's doomed to be last always then I would get demoralised (I don't care about how the handicap resolves the position I just want to be in amongst the others)

Any recommendations??

Thanks

David

Thanks, yes I'd looked at the Bosun's locker website, they have some 2nd hand boats including the Magno.

Actually it's North of Scotland I would be sailing (Findhorn).

btw, my old man was from Helensburgh, used to do some sailing there I believe

I sail at two different clubs and one of them (not Chew) has pretty much all older boats because of our very light winds at time and the fleets we have are:

Topper (i don't keep my boat there because they arent really into the youth squads etc)

British moth (quite a few because they plane in about 10 knots and still move when nothing else will)

Lightning 368 (still good in light winds but will go some in heavy wind)

Comet Duo (Im sure most people have gathered my views on Comets duo's but i guess they are hard to beat on PY in light stuff)

Laser (they are everywhere but theyre handicap on the river is crap an you have to win by miles to actually win)

Graduate (not bad i guess)

Mercury (Huge)

Enterprise (hmm)

Wanderer (ummmm another bugger to get out the water)

Mirror (Wierd but it seesm that the Mirrors at our club are sailed by adults not kids)?

And recently a few different boats like the Vareo but thank god i go to 2 clubs which lets me be on the high performance side of things!

Funnily enough I enjoy sailing the older classes when not doing my skiff racing stuff. Love 505s, 470s, Laser 2s and have a strange obsession with Wayfarers.......

Interesting comment on the PYs I can see that the 2000 and the Vision would be closely matched, but do you think the Magno could keep up? It seems to suit me best in terms of size, price and durability.

The 2nd hand price of Laser 2s looks attractive, but my assumption is that it would be a more challenging boat than the others and with trapezes probably requires a more experienced helm and crew?

If your objective is to take inexperienced relatives sailing, I wouldn't consider a trapeze boat.

So I'm detecting a bias towards a Laser 2000, but how would it fare with being left out in the open all year? And how much more maintenance would it requre than the plastic Vision or Magno?

Thanks

David

We have about 28 Laser 2000 at my club along with 3 club/training ones.  They do just fine outside all year long, and require very little maintenance.

Check out http://www.wwsc.org.uk - www.wwsc.org.uk

Thanks for the offer, the Laser 3000 does look like a blast, but not really what I'm after. I want to be able to potter around with my v. young sons if they show an interest.