Dodgy knee friendly single handers

   A friend of mine, a Hobie cat sailor who also pottered in a Topper, bought a Blaze last year but his dodgy knee (the result of a rugby injury in the '70s) has given him gyp after sailing it. I think the Blaze is a very benign boat and, other than kneeling downwind (which is not really an issue for said friend as he doesn't race seriously), is pretty kind to your knees. Can anybody suggest a dinghy which might suit him?

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Sam.Spoons Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 07 Mar 12 Location: Manchester UK Online Status: Offline Posts: 3400	Post Options Post Reply Quote Sam.Spoons Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Dodgy knee friendly single handers Posted: 22 Dec 19 at 10:48pm
	A friend of mine, a Hobie cat sailor who also pottered in a Topper, bought a Blaze last year but his dodgy knee (the result of a rugby injury in the '70s) has given him gyp after sailing it. I think the Blaze is a very benign boat and, other than kneeling downwind (which is not really an issue for said friend as he doesn't race seriously), is pretty kind to your knees. Can anybody suggest a dinghy which might suit him?
	Spice 346 "Flat Broke" Blaze 671 "supersonic soap dish"

Neptune Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 08 Jun 09 Location: Berkshire United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1314	Post Options Post Reply Quote Neptune Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 23 Dec 19 at 6:13am
	K1, Solo, Ok, D-One, Vareo, RS100, H2. Basically anything that has a relatively deep cockpit that while requires hiking doesn't require kneeling downwind (either because it has a kite of is relatively narrow. The laser actually falls into the comfy to sail downwind, but requires very straight leg hiking upwind so will hurt if technique is poor.
	Musto Skiff and Solo sailor

Guests Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Guest Group	Post Options Post Reply Quote Guests Quote Reply Posted: 23 Dec 19 at 8:59am
	I really enjoyed my Blaze, it is a great boat and just about perfect for my favourite race - the Round Sheppey. But it is also the only boat I have ever had that killed my knees. In no other boat have I given my knees a second thought, whereas in the Blaze I found kneepads to be essential. Almost any other singlehander will be an improvement for your friend, the most mainstream choice being a Solo.

ian.r.mcdonald Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 24 Feb 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 440	Post Options Post Reply Quote ian.r.mcdonald Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 23 Dec 19 at 9:06am
	I have not been able to cycle for a few weeks and even my Solo hurt lots yesterday!. Whichever boat you sail, I find mobility and strength exercises are essential.

Rupert Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 11 Aug 04 Location: Whitefriars sc Online Status: Offline Posts: 8956	Post Options Post Reply Quote Rupert Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 23 Dec 19 at 9:51am
	The Lightning 368 has been my solution to dodgy knees.
	Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686

Sam.Spoons Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 07 Mar 12 Location: Manchester UK Online Status: Offline Posts: 3400	Post Options Post Reply Quote Sam.Spoons Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 23 Dec 19 at 10:29am
	I don't have a problem hiking the Blaze* but do wear knee pads as it's the kneeling that get's me and it is unavoidable on occasion. The Spice is a stand up boat and I haven't really sailed anything else since my return to dinghies 10 years ago (after a 25 year sabbatical when I was windsurfing). * If anything it's my hips and lower back that give up first. Edited by Sam.Spoons - 23 Dec 19 at 10:30am
	Spice 346 "Flat Broke" Blaze 671 "supersonic soap dish"

Gordon 1430 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 27 Jun 17 Location: Lee on Solent Online Status: Offline Posts: 310	Post Options Post Reply Quote Gordon 1430 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 23 Dec 19 at 12:23pm
	I think Dzero would be OK as you don't kneel when going downwind and ergonomic hiking upwind. Aero sailers use kneepads so might not be best. Phantom is a kneeling boat downwind so probably not best.
	Gordon Phantom 1430

The Moo Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 01 Jun 06 Online Status: Offline Posts: 809	Post Options Post Reply Quote The Moo Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 23 Dec 19 at 12:53pm
	The Comet has a sort of "crew deck" up front which you can sit on downwind with some comfort. Probably works better with a transom main set up though.

ColPrice2002 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 25 Nov 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 222	Post Options Post Reply Quote ColPrice2002 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 23 Dec 19 at 1:43pm
	The OK sailors at my club seem to manage well - the cockpit is deeper than the Solo (deck to floor) and you heel to windward on the broad reach/runs. I find that I'm kneeling in my Solo on the runs (usually on the padded toestrap!). Colin

Cirrus Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 29 Oct 15 Location: UK Online Status: Offline Posts: 590	Post Options Post Reply Quote Cirrus Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 23 Dec 19 at 4:35pm
	... There is no such thing as 'unsuitable weather, just 'unsuitable clothing' .. as goes the saying. Same thing with many single-hander classes. Why on earth spend thousands on a decent boat and then not get the right clothing for the job ? .. Many single-handers simply go faster if you do put a knee down when running very deep - so just get a decent set of knee pads ! (Many on offer are lousy, never staying in place for more than a couple of outings - buy 'cheap' or unsuitable and you must expect to be uncomfortable. Same thing with hikers etc etc. Get the right stuff and you will rarely be uncomfortable .... if ever. I've raced the Blaze for nearly 25 years now and do have a dodgy knee (but thanks to motorcycle v car incident over 40 years ago, ... the car 'won') But never had a knee issue in the boat but then I've always gone for the right knee-pads etc - in comparison previous Lasers in particular were 'not good' for knees regardless of clothing over time ! BTW low free-board is your friend if you want to recover from capsize, quickly and easily and the inherent reduction in windage and lower centre of everything reduces the risk of capsize in the first place imo.... Edited by Cirrus - 23 Dec 19 at 4:35pm