My turn

Just don't turn up at the FOM in it, or you will be forced to wear a Sombrero and Bandoleers..

I lifted two of them out of the lake yesterday, one made of wood, weighed a ton, the other plastic, was light as anything, a true one design class, both sharing that wonderful new 1200 handicap, there must have been twenty kilos difference between them.

Edited by iGRF - 18 Mar 13 at 11:54am

Thanks Russ, I missed your reply yesterday. Hoping to buy in the next week or two, but whatever it is you are on if you want a race at the FOM!

Peaky, Some graduates have crew bench's dependant on builder.  My 7 year old sails with me and its such a rewarding boat.  It handles fantastically.  I thought about a Miracle, but decided the kite was too much and a dangly pole on the jib more than made up for the lack of coloured sail.  If you are in no rush you are more than welcome to have a go in my grad once its back from the repair yard.  It would be fantastic if you bought a Grad as that would be 3 West country Grads sailed by father/Child combo's from this Forum.  Perhaps we could even have our own prixe at this years FOM?

Have you considered a Comet Duo, well made, very stable and comfortable.  Miracle good too.  Enterprise worth considering also.  Ent and Comet will have higher booms than the Miracle.  2000 also has high boom. 

We have owned both over the years, although thats one Miracle to two, soon to be three Grads which I guess already tells you what I think.

But I would describe the differences as one is lighter and has a kite. The other is heavier, generally feels more solid and secure and is much more refined in the way in which it slices through the water. Like an icon is more refined than say an Ent.

If you like the idea of a kite then get the Miracle other wise buy a Grad they are very rewarding little boats

Ian