Topaz Uno Race vs RS Feva vs Laser?

Hey all,

I'm on a fleet planning committe for a college sailing club in the States (Seattle,WA). Currently, we use Lasers as singlehand training boats, but we would like something more durable, i.e. something rotomolded. Given our requirement that a singlehand boat should have only one sail, we are finding that our choices are very limited.

So far we have only found one or two boats that fit our specs:

• Topper Topaz Uno Race
• RS Feva w/ XL mainsail only (no headsail)

We have ruled out Pico because, at 3.5m LOA, it's below our minimum spec of 3.65m.

So, any opinions on how a Topaz Uno Race compares with a Laser?

Is the RS Feva with the big main a possibility, or would there be too much weather helm? Anybody tried it?

I’m obviously going to be a little bit biased because I sail a Topaz Uno Race, but I have sailed Lasers and Feva’s whilst on holiday last year so at least I’m in a position to make a comparison.  The Feva is very nice to sail, the XL version sails very well and is a lot more ‘grown-up’ than a Topaz as its got a proper tracked mast etc however I reckon that it’s best sailed by two as the jib and kite controls are quite far forward. Our local water used to have two Lasers in their hire fleet however they found them too fragile for the purpose and have increased their compliment of Topaz Unos instead. Whilst the Feva XL that I sailed had a kite, the Topaz Race can also be upgraded to a ‘Race X’ spec (which I’ve not sailed) which adds an asymmetric spinnaker. I’m not sure what the price comparisons are like in the USA but I reckon Topaz may well be cheaper to buy and possibly cheaper for spares as well – I hope that helps,

Nigel

I recently had a similiar dilema, find a single handed dingy, larger and mare capable than a laser but equally something that a rather average sailor could be challenged by.  Having considered all of the boats mentioned I elected for a RS VAREO, the Fevas (slightly bigger) brother.  It meets your requirement for I single sail but for training it is easy to get 2 (or 3) people in and allows for growth with a 'fun' sail up through the 'comp' sail and spinnaker.  It is also light enough for 1 person to haul out of the water!

Rgds

Pat

and i do not think you can relly call that vareo the feves bigger brother that the vishon i think as they are for to diffrent thing

vareo one man fast with out a trap racing

feve to get young people in to sailing and as a 2 man racig boat for kids

The Mirror isn't meant to be a childrens' boat...