Which Solo?

Thanks for the advice.

I was certainly going to get a used boat but they seem to depreciate so slowly that new is almost tempting. 

Winder advertise a complete new Solo for £6700. I know I will need to add for a trolley, covers etc but that seems like a great deal when a 5 year old boat could cost £5k

I might try to get a better deal in the autumn.

The wood boats do look great and Im sure that they don't need much work but I think I just want an easy life.  

You don't say if you are looking to buy new or second hand.

Boon have stopped making Solos and have passed their tooling on to Ovington though second hand Boons are still around. Speed and P&B also sell Solos, the latter market the John Poulson design though I forget who moulds them - I think Rondar may be making hulls for somebody.

TBH all the manufacturers claim their version of the hull shape is very competitive but if you are inexperienced as you say the very marginal difference in hull shapes will make little difference to you. I think the is probably little to chose in current build quality. Some just look more slickly fitted out.

If you are going second hand, Winder boats hold their value well. They also have two hull shapes, the Mk1 and Mk2. The Mk2 has more rocker and therefore carries heavier helms (85+Kgs) better and is better suited to restricted waters as it roll-tacks quicker.

More important than the hull is the rig you use. At 85Kgs you will need a Selden D+ or Cumulus mast (or equivalent) with a sail to match.

The Solo website is good for background info but won't recommend one manufacturer above another.