'Wow' Boats

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.

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