'Wow' Boats

Thought to might be fun to have a topic to describe boats that have made an instant huge (positive) impression on you when you sailed one for the first time. I've sailed a lot of boats over the years, but there's only really been a few that strike out...

1) Laser! This will amaze people who know me, but the first time I ever sailed a Laser was playing about in surf at Stokes Bay, I think around 1974 or 75ish. It was wonderful, and the first time I think I really learned how much fun kinetics can be. The experience never remotely motivated me to buy one though!

2) Italian Bistro design Cherub. I don't have that strong an impression of my first time sailing a Cherub, although it must have impressed me enough that I owned no other class for about 20 years. But the first time I stepped into Dave Roe's Norwegian Blue it was obvious that this was a major breakthrough boat. She was planing upwind before I got on the trapeze. Magic boat! I soon built one.

3) RS300. I was royally impressed. Just a delightful boat, so light, so nimble, and really not difficult to sail. I was considering getting one until 5.

4) Twelve Foot Skiff. Simon Roberts 12 foot skiff rigged Cherub to be precise. Complete laugh to sail, just amazing, but absolutely and completely not what I want to own and race!

5) International Canoe. Nothing goes uphill like it, and the plank is such an elegant solution. Bought one.


Edited by JimC

1)Europe: First sailed one in big waves when I was used to sailing a Laser it opened my eyes to the fun of short light boats.

2)International 14: Stepping into the front of a 14 after sailing Hiking boats was just amazing the power, speed and complication was something else. Got myself one a year later.

3)Italian Bistro Cherub: (after conversion to 97 rules.) I had sailed a few Cherubs before and thought they were fun but after sailing the 97 rules Bistro I realised there was nothing like them and I had to get one.

4)Patterson 7 Cherub: I built a P7 without sailng one and first time on the water in a boat I had built was a great feeling. There is nothing like sailing something you have created. Especially if is is as lively as a P7

5)A class Cat: Sailed one and realised that cats could feel right after having previously only sailed tired Darts and Hobies that always felt strange and aquard.

6)Musto Skiff: Incradable acceleration and just loads of fun.

RS 300 Bought one off the plans and loved it ever since.   never fails to bring a smile to my face whether racing, training or playing.  So much fun!

Nat 12 - 2 sailed at the club I grew up at.  Not modern shape but still completlely different to everything else I'd seen.  Probably a bit aspirational too - I've pretty much always been too lardy to race one.

Foiling Moth - same as above.  Love the idea.

I'm going to get laughed off here but hey:

1 the Byte, i bought one of the first boats out i loved it it matched me my weight etc. perfectly (only problem was it has a peeved handicap)

2 Merlin Rocket, i love merlins, stunning boats to sail and look at - just fantastic

3 International 14, i am just in awe of this boat (if thats how you spell it)  So much power, a true boat that you will never completly learn or mastr

1. Alpha Grad, really smooth boat that got me hooked on the sport.

2. Laser, gave me independance

3. ISO, taught me the basics of high performanc (ish) sailing.

4. Dart 18, made me realise I was actually a fairly good sailor coming 3rd in my first ever event !

5. RS600, At the time there was nothing like it and I learnt so much.

6. 49er, Perfectly balanced boat. Just a shame it was so ackward to land on the small leeward slipway at my club

7. RS700 or Musto Skiff. Both are truly awesome singlehanders, and I plan to keep my 700 for a long time !