B14

 

I hate to disagree, we found our M12 relatively easy to get on with. We never sailed a B5 so can't comment on that boat but the class consensus is the B5 is easier than the M12, so you're right on that score. We owned our M12 for a good few years and I found it much easier than a 5000 or 49er, hence the relatively easy comparison. Could be a case of horses for courses, I just found the 14 quite straight forward and forgiving compared to other boats I've sailed and a little dissapointing really, one of the main reasons we stayed clear of the 800 too. My crew was of the same opinion and really wondered why we punted the 49er on. The 49er had the ability to suprise, the 14 seemed very tame in comparison, you could almost have a cup of tea 2 sail reaching a 14. 

 

I didn't see Pete Barton sail his boat, but have seen quite a few Cherubs perform at the level I mentioned, hence my opinion is based on the average sailor sailing the Cherub, not Pete Barton. I've sailed a 420 faster than a 14 round a course, does that mean 420s are quicker than 14s??? Or could it be I was just sailing better than the guys sailing the 14 and was able to handle the boat better?

I agree that the I14 is probably too much money, time and effort to sail well, not to mention the cost of boats capable of competing in modern fleets. Cherub has similar problems. Laser 4000 seems a bit like a beefed up 29er, and i just don't really want to sail one. When it comes down to it, its 29er v B14. The 29er has the advantage of having another boat regularly, and a trapeze. I already have good experience sailing trapeze boats, so no great loss not sailing the 29er there. When it comes down to it, its a question of how important other boats are: either have 1 29er to race against regularly, or have the occasional b14 plus a couple of Mustos. Can a boat still be enjoyably raced without others that are identical? remember that TBYC has very long courses, about 20 mins per lap in an assymetric like b14 or 29er, and 35 mins in a laser or sandhopper.

 

Jaws, Cherub crew weight is somewhere between 120-135kg according to the Cherub guy at the boat show, although much heavier people do sail the boat. International 14 wise, wouldn't look at anything older than a Bieker 3 or a Morrison 11 and wouldn't go near a I-14 without a T-Foil, especially on the sea. We had a M12 for a while and it was a fairly easy boat to get on with. The newer I-14s are much easier to sail than the old ones in my opinion. Saying that though, you would get a really good B14 for the price of an okay I-14 and the B14 is a lot less hassle and just as rewarding a boat to sail. The B14 is a fair bit quicker than a Cherub also, anytime I've seen a Cherub sail well, they've sailed to their handicap mixing it with Laser 4000s and RS400s. Have you thought of a Laser 4000, good sea boat, reasonable class, cheap and as good, if not better performance than the 29er and Cherub? B14 is at another level of performance to the 29er but not necesarily that much higher skill level for you to master, try to get an Ovi B14 if you go for one. 

29er has a much better circuit, although that's not that important because I'm not all that serious as a racer, I'd do maybe 2 opens and the Nats tops. One of which at home... Likewise, B14 generally draws 11ish boats to events, not as many, but not to bad an issue.

29ers are a bit unstable, it always feels like the most important bit of going fast in them is staying upright. Don't know what B14 is like in that respect, shall have to try one out. 29er has trapeze, but i can sail a trapeze boat anyway, so no great educational loss. Hmmmmm decisions decisions decisions :)