looking for a new challenge

Get a Phantom Rich, it will give you the best combination of event sailing and fleet racing at home I reckon.

I guess one should always mention the Int Canoe if someone is looking for a challenge. There are what look like a couple of reasonable starter boats on Apolloduck at the moment, and a good sorted recent boat on the class forum.

You are in ideal weight range for a Blaze (10.4m)... a few around in your part of the world and goodish sized meetings wherever run.  You could also run a larger Halo rig (11.5m) on the same hull /spars if you like a laugh but you might be a tad too light for that one to be fully competitive in any real breeze.

If there are good Phantoms around I'd try them as well -  well try both classes at least and anything else offered.  Just contact the CA's .. Maybe even toddle along to the Draycote Dash in November and see a range of classes in action...  they can all sound ideal here !    'One Size' or class is not necessarily for everyone after all.

Mike L.

Originally posted by yellowwelly unless you don't think Oxford is in the midlands

Exactly, when everyone knows it's up North...

Rich (I'm guessing you are the same Richard who used to crew for tim?) come and give a d1 ago.  Little bit outside your budget mate but we have sailors of a similar age group as you mate most of us race at Oxford over the winter. But like you we all enjoy the circuit and the European events are simply awesome (so I hear) anyway send me a message on Facebook of you fancy giving one a go buddy.