Penny for them....(need help)
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=7802
Printed Date: 07 Aug 25 at 12:30pm
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Topic: Penny for them....(need help)
Posted By: kevin1983
Subject: Penny for them....(need help)
Date Posted: 03 May 11 at 8:53pm
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Hello, i am looking for some help deciding in which dinghy to buy so advice would be much appreciated. Here are the details. Sailing experience: not a lot, started about 3 years ago and have experience inland on toppers and on the open water in wayfarers and RS fevas. Sail during the spring/summer season a few times a month at port edgar on RS Fevas having completed level 2 and singlehander courses. Look to be doing more this year. Requirements: Looking for low (no) maintenance so GRP construction would be suitable, would be sailing mostly on my own however would like to introduce my son to the sport in the near future and possibly the gf. Planning on sailing both inland and open water, must be fairly easy to handle and transport. Must be fast and fun but also offer a little in the way of a picnic boat when reqd as will be used on camping holidays. Must be within budget (max £1500). I have been browsing the web and have considered the following: RS200/400 TOPPER BUZZ/CRUZ/SPORT 14 SUPER NOVA Having reviewed other threads there seems to be a suggestion that a miracle or enterprise may be suitable, having not seen one in the flesh they seem to be pretty large. Please advise. ------------- kev |
Replies:
Posted By: winging it
Date Posted: 03 May 11 at 8:59pm
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crucial questions: how heavy are you, how tall are you, how fit are you? Forget the two Rs's you mention as single handing possibilities; they just aren't suitable...remember that most boats are either single or double handers. very few suit both. same applies to the topper boats. the supa nova is a great boat - if you are fit and heavy enough. we need more info about your physicality to be able to give better advice. ------------- the same, but different... |
Posted By: kevin1983
Date Posted: 03 May 11 at 9:16pm
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Hello, i am about 5'11 and 12.5 stone. Play other sports so reasonably fit. ------------- kev |
Posted By: Captain Morgan
Date Posted: 03 May 11 at 10:42pm
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It's been ages since I posted on here in this capacity, but ask yourself will your son/girlfriend really sail with you? Often - or just once or twice in the beginning? It might seem like a good thing to get a single hander that will take two, or a double hander that can be single-handed, but it's really a false economy as you will end up with something which doesn't fill your needs after the first season.
I won't win any friends by suggesting this on these forums, but the Feva does pretty much what your asking for!
You will have to trawl around to find one at that price, but it's probably a better bet asking around your local sailing clubs if any families have one that they never use - you might be lucky and find someone who bought one a few years ago, only for the thing to sit around not being sailed for a couple of years.
A second hand Enterprise (double-hander!) can be picked up really cheaply, but they're almost always wood and usually need a load of work...
A Miracle would be really good, but once again, these are usually wood, as well as being few and far between.
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Posted By: GBt1
Date Posted: 04 May 11 at 2:22am
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Laser 2 Regatta(fun boat)usually seem cheap enough on Fleabay etc; can be sailed single/double handed and with a spinny: ------------- Merlin Rocket, Proctor Mk6-Caprice 730 Streaker 1105 Pear rotten stripped Phantom-now a garden feature. |
Posted By: Pierre
Date Posted: 04 May 11 at 10:13am
| If you can dig a little deeper, or haggle like a b*stard, an RS Vareo might be worth a go. |
Posted By: Jack Sparrow
Date Posted: 04 May 11 at 10:50am
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I'd be looking at a Sprint 15 Cat.
Stable, fast, single or double handed, space for a picnic and you'll be able to find one in budget. Only down side is they go better single handed with a helm slightly lighter than you. But as a relative novice the little extra weight will compensate. There are a couple of catamaran techniques you'll need someone to show you. But it would fit your requirements very well. ------------- http://www.uk3-7class.org/index.html" rel="nofollow - Farr 3.7 Class Website https://www.facebook.com/groups/1092602470772759/" rel="nofollow - Farr 3.7 Building - Facebook Group |
Posted By: Foiling_Toff
Date Posted: 04 May 11 at 11:09am
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It might be best to get a single hander, then change for a double hander if they really do decide to give it a go. At that weight you couldn't go far wrong with a laser. You'd get a reasonable boat for £1500, it's the easiest thing to transport, can be car topped, no maintenance. I owned mine for 5 years, and when I put the ad online, I had a call after 30 mins from a bloke who brought it, for about what I paid for it. Not sure if it covers the "picnic boat" bit, but you won't anything that will do everything. I also sailed a buzz for a while, and it was great fun. It is possible to sail single handed in the lighter wind, but from a f4 up you wouldn't get the best out of it without a crew. They are cheap now too. |
Posted By: The Moo
Date Posted: 04 May 11 at 11:20am
+1. Have sailed one on the sea (doublehanded mainly) for years. Great fun and practical in most conditions, but note that it is a very wet ride in anything of a chop due to low freeboard and you need to dress accordingly. |
Posted By: kfz
Date Posted: 09 May 11 at 9:37am
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Another important factor you may want to consider especially if you join a club and have access to other boats is to buy a cheap boat to begin with while your learning and bound to knock the boat about a bit and invest the difference in decent gear. a GRP Ent sounds ideal for your needs (I think they sail great single handed (in light winds)). Great racings scene, light, Loads of spares, simple, great for kids to learn in. If you intend to spend more time cruising and on open tidal water then your should consider a GRP GP14, which has a higher boom, more stable, more likely to be fitted with reefing but a bit more old fashioned handling (maybe a good thing??) and heavier. Up a level again, I like the wayfarer as well, fantastic sea boat and cruising boat (and not a bad racer either) but more expensive (esp good ones) a lot heavier and not so suitable one up. Good crowd plenty of events. Pays your money. Kev ------------- GP14 Fleet Captain Liverpool Sailing Club http://www.liverpoolsailingclub.org/ - Liverpool SC |
Posted By: vscott
Date Posted: 09 May 11 at 7:04pm
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See if you can get a sail in each type of boat - that will really help you make up your mind. Miracle is a lovely boat but wooden, a grp GP14 would be good - in modern boats a Laser 2000 or RS Vision but I doubt you would get one in your price range. I find the Feva is a bit uncomforatble for adults.... You WILL change the boat in a couple of years! ------------- Mk IV Osprey 1314 Think Again 
Kielder Water Sailing Club |