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Papa Smurf View Drop Down
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    Posted: 25 Jun 16 at 12:22pm
'Morning All,

I've been following the forum for a year or so. 

I'm searching for an experienced view point on a range of boats. Similar questions have been asked before, but because the questions themselves were a little vague and open ended so were the answers that they received.

I am looking to move on from my Laser. I'm looking for a direct replacement. 

My Club is based on a moderately sized reservoir bordered by trees, so the legs are reasonably short and the winds very changeable and gusty. 

I am not looking for something with a trapeze, a jib or a gennaker. Too many sail controls to use effectively single handed in these conditions. By the time you've got the sail trim right the wind has changed or you're on the next mark. 

I am 80kg in weight and reasonably mobile. I've enjoyed the Laser, but have always viewed it as a starter boat, something rough and ready to knock me into shape before moving onto something more passionate.

I like the look of the D-Zero and the RS Aero. Both modern designs, look good, lots of discussion about them but so new no fixed consensus to refer to. I also like the Solution and the RS300, some mixed reviews and seemingly out-of-fashion, which is no bad thing as long as the class isn't dying.

The SH boats I will be sailing against are Phantom's, Laser's, Streakers and Solo's.

At 80kg I am too light for a Phantom, beautiful though they are. I ate all the pies. It didn't help.
The Laser will keep me going for a while longer but I feel I am missing out in doing so.
The Streakers are a bit of a surprise. Some new builds have arrived in the Club. Look good. I know nothing about them, whether there is a future in the class or not. 
The Solo's are where the competition is. The closest racing is amongst them with the best of the club sailors taking part.

None of the boats that i like the look of, sail where I do.

Logically I would join the Solo fleet as that is where I would learn more and enjoy the most competitive sailing. "The Craic is where it's at" sort of thing. The Solo isn't the most glamorous boat but these boys do have fun.

Any thoughts? 
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pompeysailor View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote pompeysailor Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Jun 16 at 1:10pm
A Solo does sound the logical choice if there is already a fleet at the sailing club - I would suggest trying one for a few races first.

However as you say the Aero and D-Zero both look good and everyone is saying their nice boats to sail/race - it depends if you want to be a trend setter - get the first one at your sailing club, and hope others follow. Both boats are significantly faster than a Solo.

Based on the info you have said:
Fleet racing - go Solo
Handicap racing - anything you want - whether that is to always cross the line first, last or somewhere in-between.
Formerly - OK 2145 Phantom 1437, Blaze 819, Fireball 14668, Mirror 54145
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JimC View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote JimC Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Jun 16 at 3:32pm
For all it has a low profile the Streaker is one of the bigger classes in the country. Most popular in the north I believe.

You really need to go sail all these boats and see what suits you.
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Guests Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Jun 16 at 4:05pm
I recently bought a Streaker this year after a few years break from sailing.  Absolutely love it.  It's well worth jumping in one to have a play. 
I believe they've been selling over 40 new boats per year for the last few years and they're slowly spreading along the south as well as already being well established in the north. 
Definitely add it to the list of potenial boats and give one a go.  Try one with dual side controls though, rather than one with just central controls, it's a whole lot better on mark roundings having the controls to hand. 
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Papa Smurf View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Papa Smurf Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Jun 16 at 6:53am
For me fleet racing is the way to go. You have a direct comparison of performance, other people to beat on the water and to banter with on the shore.

I'll see if I can borrow a Streaker and a Solo at the Club.

How do they sail? How do they compare to each other and to the Laser?
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Papa Smurf View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Papa Smurf Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Jun 16 at 7:17am
Originally posted by pompeysailor

A Solo does sound the logical choice if there is already a fleet at the sailing club - I would suggest trying one for a few races first.

However as you say the Aero and D-Zero both look good and everyone is saying their nice boats to sail/race - it depends if you want to be a trend setter - get the first one at your sailing club, and hope others follow. Both boats are significantly faster than a Solo.

Based on the info you have said:
Fleet racing - go Solo
Handicap racing - anything you want - whether that is to always cross the line first, last or somewhere in-between.

I'm not fast enough to be a trend setter.  Ouch

Buying a faster boat for a better finish isn't going to help me improve. I'd prefer to be in the mix and head to head on the water than racing the clock. It doesn't look like much fun running around on your own no matter which end of the pack you're at.

Saying that, I would like to be sailing a fast boat that sails well, looks good and is a pleasure to helm.

What to choose?
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NickM View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote NickM Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Jun 16 at 7:30pm
I agree fleet racing is the way to improve skills. The boat speed differential in Solos/Streakers fleet racing is minimal so it keeps you concentrating all the way round, not to mentions improving tactics to try and get past the guy ahead. My concentration drops off in handicap racing if there are no other boats near me.

80kg is a good helm weight for a Solo (65 - 100 kg) but at the heavy end of the Streaker range (63 - 83 kg)

Edited by NickM - 26 Jun 16 at 7:32pm
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iGRF View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote iGRF Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Jun 16 at 7:36pm
My thoughts..

The Solo, joking aside it's a sales vehicle for sailmakers and unless you have deep pockets and hours of practise time, the craic is about all you enjoy. Not necessairily for any real reason, but constant doubt about your sail, how it's rigged, the 'settings' and all manner of bullsh*t to explain why you can't break through into mid fleet when it is racing tactics, physical fitness and kinetic 'nouse' that will hold you back, and it's an ugly mofo of a boat anway, so why would you?

The Streaker ditto everything above with the exception of the 'ugly' point the streaker isn't ugly, but it's gutless tiny 6.5m sail bringing up the rear, getting absolutely trashed by 63 kilo skeletors and zombies or even worse ladies of a certain age and skill set, at 80 kgs, they'll cream you.

The D Zero and Aero are both an option. Nice modern boats with lots of good features, there's stack been written on them, the zero sail size however matches your weight. (I always think 1 sq mfr per ten kilos isn't a bad rule of thumb for comfort)

But the next one, my choice, the Solution also has what you asked for, but there are not many about, there's a guy at my club looking for one and the only one on the market is an ex demo 2016 model with £700 quid off, it's only drawback it has a crap mast and boom made of aluminium the gooseneck of which snapped on me today mid gybe and I went swimming in shorts a rash vest and no knickers and did I freeze my nuts... ;-)

Other question has your venue got any underwater obstructions, if so the Solo & Solution are the only two with centreboards that kick back, the others all have daggers (That I hate for lots of reasons).
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Papa Smurf View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Papa Smurf Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Jun 16 at 7:43am
I've always liked the Solution but, as you say, you don't see many about. We used to have four of them at our club but they have all faded away over the last couple of years. The class seems to have lost momentum, perhaps because of the arrival of the 'Zero and Aero.

The ex Solution sailors are now in Solo's and a Streaker - as appropriate to their weight :-)

There is a 'Zero up for sale reasonably close to me. They are beautiful and look to be well put together. Excellent reviews. The problem is that they are a new class. There aren't many about so there is nobody to race directly against. I'm based in Lancashire, well outside the area where the boat is being promoted, so a sail test is not going to happen. What is a little off-putting is that I have seen two one year-old boats for sale this year. Makes me think the owners are moving back to the traditional, established fleets after the novelty wears off.

But. I like beautiful and if the boat sails as well as reported I would have difficulty choosing the sensible option...
 
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JimC View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote JimC Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Jun 16 at 7:58am
Originally posted by Papa Smurf

I have seen two one year-old boats for sale this year. Makes me think the owners are moving back to the traditional, established fleets after the novelty wears off.

That's situation normal for every class. I don't think you really find out whether a boat suits you until you've lived with it a while, but with the more established classes people tend to try the waters with second hand boats so the turnover's not as obvious as it is with new classes.
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