Exciting dinghy for lightweight(s)
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=8897
Printed Date: 06 Aug 25 at 1:31am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Exciting dinghy for lightweight(s)
Posted By: skylark12
Subject: Exciting dinghy for lightweight(s)
Date Posted: 10 Jan 12 at 5:11pm
|
Hi, I'm 15 and currently sail a topper but I'm looking for something more exciting, double or singlehanded. The trouble is I'm 5'2 and only weigh 45kg. Budget is about £1,500. Any ideas welcome! Thanks |
Replies:
Posted By: rogue
Date Posted: 10 Jan 12 at 5:18pm
| Byte CII |
Posted By: Jaws
Date Posted: 10 Jan 12 at 5:27pm
|
RS600 and use the reefed rig and wide wings (still probably too light though) 29er helm with heavy crew 420 helm with heavy crew Feva Laser Radial or 4.7 Byte Depends what you define exciting as. Lasers and Bytes aren't exactly adrenaline machines, but they aren't slow either. 29ers and 600s are very much high performance boats, while I gather the 420 is in the middle. This list is by no means exhaustive. 29ers are normally beyond £1500, but *VERY* occasionally one turns up at that price. 420s range from a few hundred to £7000, with older ones being cheap but often in poor condition and quite uncompetitive. They go floppy and gain weight, Fevas I don't know what they cost, have a look on apolloduck.co.uk You could always share a 29er, Feva or 420 with someone else. Lasers , bytes and 600s all regularly fall in that price range, but the 600 might still be too overpowered at that weight. I sometimes struggle upwind at 60kg, and find sailing it in big waves incredibly tough since I have so little momentum (although my technique isn't exactly great either). The 600 and the 29er are the hardest boats to sail (i.e. keep upright. All boats are hard to sail fast) on that list. Perhaps if you tell us where you sail and how experienced you are someone can offer some more specific advice. If you have a crew in mind and know their weight then it would be easier to decide on a double hander. You'd need them to be at least 60kg for a 29er or 420, probably 40kg for a Feva (although I'm not sure about the Feva). There's a whole range of other boats around. If there's any big fleets at your club, I suggest considering those since it makes handicap racing a whole lot more fun to be in a proper fleet. ------------- RS600 794 |
Posted By: Jack Sparrow
Date Posted: 10 Jan 12 at 5:34pm
Probably!!!!!!!!!!!!! God you are having a laugh! ------------- 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: Jaws
Date Posted: 10 Jan 12 at 6:30pm
|
Ok, definitely. ------------- RS600 794 |
Posted By: skylark12
Date Posted: 10 Jan 12 at 6:30pm
| Thank you, if its any help I sail on a tidal estuary and on the sea as well. I've sailed a range of classes: topper, comet trio, cherub, flipper scow and a few others. pretty sure I would spend more time swimming than sailing in a 600 though! My potential crew would almost certainly be less than 60kg. |
Posted By: Jack Sparrow
Date Posted: 10 Jan 12 at 6:59pm
|
I've got to say it. But the boat you would love would be a Farr 3.7. Get your Dad to make one for you. He'll love it, you can help him.
Other than that... ever thought of a Splash. [TUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gccVShfRAUI&feature=related[/TUBE] ------------- 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: Jaws
Date Posted: 10 Jan 12 at 7:01pm
|
If it's on the sea the 600's a definite no-go, you might have just about managed on a lake since the winds are lighter and it's not as wavey. A 420 would probably be a good bet, not sailed one myself but a lot of people who sail them seem to love them. Depends if <60 means 55kg or 40kg, since with 55 and a lot of depowering you might manage, with 40 you simply wouldn't be able to be in any way competitive. Obviously the Feva's a good bet, I also sail on an estuary/sea and we have a massive Feva fleet, but at 15 you might be better off skipping it and hopping straight into a more powerful boat. There's all sorts of things that might be viable, but if there are existing fleets at your club then seriously consider those boats.
All the singlehanders I listed (except the 600) would probably be fine, each has its own ups and downs. Whilst I love sailing the 29er and 600 both in races and just blasting, I do sometimes find myself wishing I could sail the Laser again just because it was so fun to race. Sadly, there's a massive fleet at our club but none ever go out, but the few times we got a number out sailing I found the closeness of the racing really enjoyable. Singlehanding is a different experience to doublehanding, and everyone has different preferences. I like both to an extent, while some people only like one or the other. One thing to bear in mind is that being underweight in a Laser or Byte is probably harder work than being underweight in a 29er; hiking hard on your own is a lot of work, whilst if the 29er's overpowered you can always whack on the downhaul and depower and then tell the crew to keep it flat. If you want to be really competitive then hiking's a must in everything, but it's possible to get away with sitting up a bit in the 29er and still doing quite well, but on a Laser-type boat it's hiking or losing. You're right on the bottom end of Radial weight (I think, please correct me if I'm wrong on that) and around the top half of 4.7 weight (again, can't remember the figures exactly). Hope that's helpful, I'm sure someone will say it's a cardinal sin to stop hiking in a 29er but the main thing is to have some fun while you do it. Just have a look round, and if you can really define what you want (e.g. singlehanded hiker, doublehanded single trapeze) then you can start to narrow down. ------------- RS600 794 |
Posted By: Neptune
Date Posted: 10 Jan 12 at 8:31pm
|
Our lightest 600 sailor in the circuit come in around 65 kg. Lightening fast downwind and trapezing well before the heavy weights, but once everyone is wiring then its bigger is a bit better.
I reckon a Farr 3.7 would be a more attainable challenge. ------------- Musto Skiff and Solo sailor |
Posted By: JimC
Date Posted: 10 Jan 12 at 8:41pm
| Might a Europe be a possibility? light, interesting tweaky little boats. |
Posted By: winging it
Date Posted: 10 Jan 12 at 9:11pm
|
yes, there is a lad at our club who has just moved into a europe from a topper, almost exactly the same size as you and he is having a real blast in it. the other alternative is the byte or the byte c2. If you want to try either boat come and see me at Hunts SC!
------------- the same, but different... |
Posted By: Dec187490
Date Posted: 10 Jan 12 at 11:24pm
|
I came out of a laser into a 600... admittedly i did a lot of trapezing before hand, i was 55kg, i didn't struggle massively, in fact i port tacked the hole fleet in Carnac a few years ago:D but was a hand full, good fun in light airs apart from that your not up to pace wouldn't recommend it for someone your weight though. I have also sailed 29er with a helm about 50kg(it wont take you long to get there) works fine if you have a crew around my weight (65kg). Heavy crews are easy to find now as the helms realize they are to heavy to helm but don't want to leave the class. 420 would be the way forward for you i think.
------------- B14 709 RS600-979 SOLD laser-187490 SOLD |
Posted By: skylark12
Date Posted: 11 Jan 12 at 6:26pm
| The Farr 3.7 does look like so much fun. Shame dads a too busy - I would not trust my boat building skills (or lack of them) to get me home! Also I think I'm a bit on the small side :( |
Posted By: Rupert
Date Posted: 11 Jan 12 at 6:34pm
|
The Splash was designed for people in exactly your position (well apart from being Dutch, of course) and is HUGE in Holland. Not exciting like a 600 is, but with a far greater turn of speed than a Topper, and designed to fit a small person's build, unlike a Laser hull. ------------- Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686 |
Posted By: doeywizard
Date Posted: 11 Jan 12 at 8:00pm
| At 45kg I no you would like a change to something exiting but would it be worth a feva as in wind it is fast, it isent 29er fun but honestly with a crew under 60 kg you are two small, same with the 420, and radial, 4.7 you could get away with but in stronger wind may struggle. You should keep the topper and develop on your skills. I sail a topper at 65kg and am just thinking about leaving it now, I sail a radail and 4.7 part time. The feva is fast and manageable. If you want a fun boat there is a hobie 405, very cheep but I dont now how it sails, it has an asymmetric and trapeze. |
Posted By: Jack Sparrow
Date Posted: 11 Jan 12 at 8:11pm
You really aren't to small. But I can accept all your other points!:) But do have a look at a Splash, they are great. ------------- 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: doeywizard
Date Posted: 11 Jan 12 at 8:37pm
| for the farr they say 50kg at a minimum and tbh it is probably better to be a bit heavier than that if you aren't as tall, especially on the sea, not by much but in all of the clips (that I have seen) the people are probably heavier than 55 kg, there is nothing worse than trying to sail a boat that you arent heavy enough for, it just isn't fast. I mean you are not miles out but the optimum weight will be put lower to attract people to the class. I tried sailing a radial at 55kg in a reasonable breeze and i did OK but just felt that I needed a bit more weight, I was not fast at all up wind, with 10kg more it feels a lot better, not just in heavy wind but I can roll tack better two. Dont rush into any boat just cos people on a forum say it is good. Try b4 u by. (no offence people on the forum) |
Posted By: Jack Sparrow
Date Posted: 11 Jan 12 at 9:23pm
|
Doeywizard... I'm the guy that has imported the Farr. And also suggesting a 5kg reduction for helm weight from the NZ suggestion. Their suggested weight range is higher due to the average wind strenght being higher.
The boat is a one design hull, but there is quite a bit of leeway with what you do with the rig. Meaning you can tune it to your weight, up to a point. So far the lightest person to sail the boat has been 68 kg and when sailed it it was in the mid 20 knt range, with gusts up to 31knts. Not the normal conditions that most people would consider sailing in. He wasn't over powered, and there was plenty of scope for more depowering. At 45kg you aren't going to be having the easiest time in the world in force 5, but for the majority of Uk conditions you are going to be having a ball of a time. And at 15 he's going to stick on a few more inches and kg by the time he'd built the thing anyway! :) ------------- 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: doeywizard
Date Posted: 11 Jan 12 at 10:03pm
| ahh ok I dident know that, I just assumed that it was like people with the laser where even if they are a midget people just say "have u tried a laser" Thanks for correcting me and btw I do think they look cracking boats and do not know much about them, just that on you tube all of the sailors looked bigger than a radial sailor. I also know that he will grow, but there is no point going into a boat if he was two light atm, after what you said tho it does seem that it is very manageable for most people, If I had the money I would consider one |
Posted By: motionaka
Date Posted: 11 Jan 12 at 10:58pm
| How about a lowrider Int Moth, if you fancy a challenge? |
Posted By: skylark12
Date Posted: 12 Jan 12 at 5:37pm
| I don't think that I'm quite good enough for a moth yet - even a lowriding one. Maybe in a few years. |
Posted By: stuarthop
Date Posted: 12 Jan 12 at 10:16pm
|
I'd also suggest giving a Splash a go. Although the Uk fleet is only small they are great little boats to sail and the class association is pretty active (plus its free to join).
------------- |
Posted By: Jamie600
Date Posted: 12 Jan 12 at 10:20pm
|
+1 for a Splash, I sailed one when I was younger and more recently I took my other half's out for a spin, they are lovely boats, not very quick but they are low to the water and chuck up lots of spray and seem like they are faster than they really are, and generally nice to sail. Other options (based on reputation not first hand experience) would be a Europe or a British Moth ------------- RS600 1001 |
Posted By: JP233
Date Posted: 13 Jan 12 at 3:09am
|
Hi, Im going to agree with motionaka, for a lowrider moth, im 16, 5' 7 and 55kilos, it only gets dificult below 6 knots, or over 20.
all i'm going to say is epic fun.
Jamie
|
Posted By: ex laser
Date Posted: 13 Jan 12 at 3:29am
+1 to all three of these options. the only thing i would add is, if your sailing on a large puddle go for the splash or the europe, but if your sailing on a small puddle you cannot beat the british moth.  ------------- |
Posted By: skylark12
Date Posted: 13 Jan 12 at 7:43am
| I hadn't really heard of a splash before but they look like really good little boats. How big are the UK fleets? |
Posted By: winging it
Date Posted: 13 Jan 12 at 12:48pm
|
We also have a splash at Hunts. It is a nice looking boat and its sailor is pretty small but handles it well. Not as nice as the europe though, and it has to be said, the europe mafia are out to convert.... I have a low rider moth and it's a great boat. provided you have enough wind and it's reasonably steady you will get to grips with it relatively quickly (though you do need to be fit) and it will improve your sailing no end. Where are you skylark? If you are anywhere near Hunts I could get you a trial in most of these boats. ------------- the same, but different... |
Posted By: patj
Date Posted: 13 Jan 12 at 1:08pm
| For a two man boat have a look at the Lark. Apart from being lively to sail (many say tippy) there's a great circuit and social scene with many student & graduate sailors and an annual youth champs. |
Posted By: Jamie600
Date Posted: 13 Jan 12 at 10:24pm
|
To be fair coming from a Topper, any of the options people have talked about are going to be small fleets! Splashes are popular in Norfolk where they were built, and there's a reasonable fleet at Ulley near Rotherham, other than that I think it's just the odd one dotted about. ------------- RS600 1001 |
Posted By: Jack Sparrow
Date Posted: 13 Jan 12 at 11:11pm
|
There is a fleet of splashes building at Christchurch too. ------------- 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: stuarthop
Date Posted: 16 Jan 12 at 10:35am
|
Theres also a few scattered about Derbyshire, i'd recomend taking one for a test sail they are lovely little boats. Check out the class website if you fancy a test sail. ------------- |
Posted By: skylark12
Date Posted: 16 Jan 12 at 4:18pm
| O thats a shame as I'm in SW Devon but I'm still thinking about one |
Posted By: skylark12
Date Posted: 17 Jan 12 at 9:28pm
| What do people think about laser 4.7's? |
Posted By: JimC
Date Posted: 17 Jan 12 at 9:39pm
| 'orrible. Great big heavy hull with nothing to push it along. Personally I'd much rather have a Topper. |
Posted By: doeywizard
Date Posted: 18 Jan 12 at 8:35am
|
Hi, If you are the weight for a 4.7 but not a radial, dont go there, stay with a topper, the 4.7 is fast upwind but so slow down wind, they only move when it is windy and I would still rather a topper in a blow. I sail a topper but am just moving into a radial, i am racing my topper in the youth squad and on the travellers series and sail my laser at my club, I only used my 4.7 once and wouldn't put it on again unless it is relay windy. It is not a good all round boat like the topper, it can only be used as a kinda storm sail in survival conditions.
|
Posted By: Hughph
Date Posted: 19 Jan 12 at 5:54pm
|
Get a Farr 3.7!! You can easily build one at home for around 1,500-2000 ------------- |
Posted By: skylark12
Date Posted: 19 Jan 12 at 6:39pm
| several people have said that but unfortunately its £1500 absolute max - I haven't even got that yet! |
Posted By: Neptune
Date Posted: 19 Jan 12 at 7:54pm
the hull maybe....what about parts, foils rig and sails? ------------- Musto Skiff and Solo sailor |
Posted By: zippyRN
Date Posted: 19 Jan 12 at 7:54pm
|
OP are you a cock or a hen ? relevance of question in terms of finishing growing and likely 'fully grown ' size ...
|
Posted By: Hughph
Date Posted: 19 Jan 12 at 8:09pm
The hull would cost 600 to home build. A sail would come to 550 from norths brand new. The rig off C-tech would come to 802 for the mast and 250 for the boom? Foils could be home built for 200? To be fair that is 2,402, but for a brand new boat. If you built the mast and boom yourself, which is what I'm planning to do as they are v simple- you could probably get it around 2000 which for a new boat is not too bad. I would really recommend it- it sounds as if it would be the perfect boat for you. ------------- |
Posted By: Neptune
Date Posted: 19 Jan 12 at 8:41pm
|
if you can get it on the water for less than 3k thats a lot of the boat for the money - but you'll need a trolley to get it to the water and a cover for when its not there! ------------- Musto Skiff and Solo sailor |
Posted By: skylark12
Date Posted: 19 Jan 12 at 9:17pm
| It is a lot of boat for your money but it is me, not my parents, that has to pay for the boat and I can't afford it :( |
Posted By: skylark12
Date Posted: 19 Jan 12 at 9:37pm
I'm a girl and already taller than my mum so there is'nt that much hope for me growing 2 a decent size
|
Posted By: Andymac
Date Posted: 19 Jan 12 at 9:41pm
Unless your dad is 6'5" and you've inherited his genes.
|
Posted By: skylark12
Date Posted: 22 Jan 12 at 7:30pm
| He's 5'10" so I don't think thats going to happen |
Posted By: Jamie600
Date Posted: 22 Jan 12 at 8:15pm
|
Further to my last post recommending the Splash, I'm spending the winter at a club with a 60 acre lake, I can just about sail my RS600 there but today it was blowing it's nuts off, consistantly over 30mph with the highest gust recorded of 46.9mph. Deciding that the 600 might be a bit of a handlful on such a small water I took my girlfriend's Splash again - wow! It absolutely flew and was an absolute riot, if a little prone to nosediving but only to be expected in those conditions. I'm quite a bit bigger than you'd want to be for a Splash but I think it's fair to say that a smaller sailor in a more sensible wind would have a great time. ------------- RS600 1001 |
Posted By: Andymac
Date Posted: 22 Jan 12 at 8:56pm
That's an understatement, I think it would have been a bit of a handful on any amount of water!!
|
Posted By: Neptune
Date Posted: 22 Jan 12 at 9:32pm
|
The 600 was a riot at Burghfield a handful at times, but damn it was fun ------------- Musto Skiff and Solo sailor |
Posted By: Jack Sparrow
Date Posted: 22 Jan 12 at 10:50pm
Jeremy is ominously quiet about the Farr 3.7, did he break it?  ------------- 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: Neptune
Date Posted: 23 Jan 12 at 8:59am
|
He left it wrapped up nice and tight.....something about oversleeping! ------------- Musto Skiff and Solo sailor |
Posted By: Jack Sparrow
Date Posted: 23 Jan 12 at 9:36am
Bloody drunkard!  ------------- 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: gordon1277
Date Posted: 23 Jan 12 at 3:01pm
|
Hi
Does a Europe fit the specification very nice little boats for smaller people. ------------- Gordon Lossc |
Posted By: stewart smith
Date Posted: 23 Jan 12 at 5:18pm
|
Dart 18. Not only exciting, but fast. ------------- Stewart Smith |
Posted By: Stargazey
Date Posted: 16 Apr 12 at 8:04pm
|
I'd avoid a Europe - a rather extinct class after the Olympic class moved to Radials. Also, far too much to have to faff about with. I moved from a Europe to a Byte CII - same PY, and similar size, but modern rig, nice and exciting down wind for skinny light weights, and far nicer to sail than a Radial. Less to faff with than a Europe, but still plenty to play with for those who like a fiddle.
I really enjoy the CII, and would be perfect for you - was selected as the single hander for the last Youth Olympics, which goes to show it is perfect for either those who can happily consider themselves youth, or for skinny adults like me who still try to convince themselves that they are not in their mid 30s.
CII second hand £1200 - £2000, or if you can lay your hands on an old Byte, easy to replace the old rig with the new CII rig - just need a new mast and sail.
|
Posted By: I luv Wight
Date Posted: 16 Apr 12 at 10:25pm
"only" 94 entries at the last world championships, and 123 in 2010 ( in Sweden) Very popular in Scandanavia, but not so much here. ------------- " rel="nofollow - http://www.bloodaxeboats.co.uk" rel="nofollow - http://www.bloodaxeboats.co.uk Andy P foiling Int Moth GBR3467 Freedom 21 Codling |
Posted By: sargesail
Date Posted: 16 Apr 12 at 10:40pm
|
I can hear it now: Right darling, just popping down to Malmo for the Open, back in a week or so. From a UK perspective it has fallen off its perch!
|
Posted By: Lukepiewalker
Date Posted: 17 Apr 12 at 8:02am
|
I know! Only 18 at the nationals compared to the Bytes 13, why would you bother really....
------------- Ex-Finn GBR533 "Pie Hard" Ex-National 12 3253 "Seawitch" Ex-National 12 2961 "Curved Air" Ex-Mirror 59096 "Voodoo Chile" |
Posted By: jeffers
Date Posted: 17 Apr 12 at 8:53am
|
Depends on where you are with regards to the Europe vs Byte CII argument. Both are good boats for lightweights but why by a Europe if there are CII's at your local club and vice-versa. At Hunts we have a couple of CII's and a veritable fleet of Europe's (6 at the last count). If they all get out regularly they could be pushing for fleet status. ------------- Paul ---------------------- D-Zero GBR 74 |
Posted By: robinft
Date Posted: 17 Apr 12 at 9:37am
|
My vote is for the Byte C11. Only buy with the C11 rig though as an upgrade would be much more than your total burget.
------------- Laser number 9 |
Posted By: Hughph
Date Posted: 17 Apr 12 at 12:39pm
|
I'll say it again- Farr 3.7! can't think of anything better as this is what the boat really suits. There is now a builder in the UK- little more than 1,500 new, but not hugely so.. ------------- |
Posted By: kingdacks
Date Posted: 17 Apr 12 at 7:20pm
|
Theres a lovely europe on gumtree at the moment for only 300 pounds. It looks very nice,just depends on where you live and what type of racing they do at your club really. Though both the byte and the europe have lost some prevalence in the uk in recent year but can pick them up on the cheap. |
Posted By: Stargazey
Date Posted: 17 Apr 12 at 8:39pm
If fleet numbers are the only thing that make it worth 'bothering', buy an Oppie.
My belief that the Europe is a dying class in the UK not based on fleet numbers - No, it is based on my experience of owning a Europe .... there is no UK builder, so all parts / hulls made abroad = eye watering prices for replacing parts on a boat that you would strugle to find under 15 years old.
I also found the 'fleet' clinging on to the past in desperation, all rather old men misty eyed about the glory days of the late 80s early 90s.
My experience of the Byte CII is that it as exciting, if not more exciting, to sail than the Europe. Ovington are helpful builders, even for a low number fleet. A modern rig, and an excellent boat for either the young, or the light weight adult. When it was used for the Youth Olympics, numbers went in to hyperdrive in Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Sadly, the RYA have an obsession about the Laser squads for youth sailors here and didn't even bother to enter ...
But - those light weights who look beyond the yawn of the fleet number lists, the RYA squads, or the old heavy weight telling you to get in to something they sailed 30 years and 8 stone ago, will find a super boat in the Byte CII.
|
Posted By: andy h
Date Posted: 17 Apr 12 at 10:48pm
| Skylark 12: You're welcome to try a Europe at Hunts SC training on 26th May if you're interested. Sailing may turn out to be more informative than reading. |
Posted By: kingdacks
Date Posted: 18 Apr 12 at 8:06am
| Id agree with star gazey - steer clear of the europe in less its absolute bargain and in less you just want something so cheap for lightweights. Its a real shame really because they look like lovely boats. Why dont you just buy a laser and put a 4.7 rig on it. |
Posted By: winging it
Date Posted: 18 Apr 12 at 8:36am
|
We have a fleet of 7 europes here at Hunts, none of them sailed by misty eyed old men! What an extraordinarily WRONG statement about the class. Until yesterday I owned both a Europe and a Byte C2 (sold the Europe) and I would say there's not much to choose between them. Both are a joy to sail and hugely under rated. The reason not to buy a laser 4.7 is that although the sail has been scaled down to suit the lighter sailor, the rest of the boat hasn't. The hull is meant for someone much bigger, which means the ergonomics of it wreak havoc on your hiking style, plus could cause serious joint damage as a result. ------------- the same, but different... |
Posted By: jeffers
Date Posted: 18 Apr 12 at 9:15am
|
The 'fleet' at hunts is mainly sailed by ladies and yoof's. I am hoping for a go in one at some point...but when there is some wind as I don't want to sink the poor boat.... ------------- Paul ---------------------- D-Zero GBR 74 |
Posted By: JimC
Date Posted: 18 Apr 12 at 9:23am
Or to put in another way the whole boat is out of balance and out of proportion: its a mess. Better off with a Topper IMNSHO. The Europe is a lovely classy little boat: when I was a size to sail them I loved them. There's nothing to choose between it and the Byte as far as fleet sizes new boats and all the rest of it are concerned and the bit about old men: the glory days of the Europe were as a *women's* Olympic class of course, so you know how much weight to put on that remark. The Byte's a decent enough boat, and there's nothing wrong with it, but the Europe, if it suits you, to my mind has a bit more class - smaller and lighter and more sophisticated, which are all virtues to me... |
Posted By: winging it
Date Posted: 18 Apr 12 at 10:24am
|
Paul, you would love a Europe in a blow, but there's a reason why I sold mine.....I'm too fat!
------------- the same, but different... |
Posted By: G.R.F.
Date Posted: 18 Apr 12 at 11:05am
Wing wang we need to talk about your Byte C2 and how it should come to a better home down here in the sunny south and have a much neater sylphlike butt sat at it's helm.. In fact you need to swap it for a fine ladies bicycle with a basket on the front, with pretty flowers, a daisy bell and gears, you would be the envy of your close (and they'd probably be happy to de pikeyfy the area, think also of the increase in property values to the neighbourhood.)   ------------- https://www.ease-distribution.com/" rel="nofollow - https://www.ease-distribution.com/ |