Pico v Topaz

   If considering one of these for 12 year old grandchildren what are the pros and cons of each and preferred boat?

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Demelza Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 01 Aug 21 Online Status: Offline Posts: 31	Post Options Post Reply Quote Demelza Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Pico v Topaz Posted: 14 Aug 22 at 11:34am
	If considering one of these for 12 year old grandchildren what are the pros and cons of each and preferred boat?

Guests Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Guest Group	Post Options Post Reply Quote Guests Quote Reply Posted: 14 Aug 22 at 11:47am
	What configuration would it (mostly) be used in - one up, or two? Both boats will get a bad press on here, but both are fine for what they are intended for. I have more pico experience than topaz, and I think the pico is a perfectly good boat. I’m sure the topaz is very similar. The Fusion (also now from Topper) and RS Zest are other options in this market - both slightly newer design so presumably builds upon the lessons of the topaz and pico.

423zero Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 08 Jan 15 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 3420	Post Options Post Reply Quote 423zero Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 14 Aug 22 at 1:45pm
	Better side height in the Topaz, Pico more of a sailing surfboard.
	Robert

Demelza Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 01 Aug 21 Online Status: Offline Posts: 31	Post Options Post Reply Quote Demelza Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 15 Aug 22 at 12:04pm
	Thanks for the info.

Paramedic Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 27 Jan 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 929	Post Options Post Reply Quote Paramedic Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 16 Aug 22 at 7:54am
	Not sure how heavy a Topaz is, Picos are quite heavy.

john80 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 07 Oct 19 Online Status: Offline Posts: 37	Post Options Post Reply Quote john80 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 16 Aug 22 at 8:21am
	Buy them whatever their mates or potential mates are sailing. Sailing around on your own probably is not that much fun.

Paramedic Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 27 Jan 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 929	Post Options Post Reply Quote Paramedic Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 16 Aug 22 at 9:56am
	^^^Also very true within the bands of reason^^^

Late starter Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 24 Feb 07 Online Status: Offline Posts: 481	Post Options Post Reply Quote Late starter Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 16 Aug 22 at 10:06am
	Both boats are from well established manufacturers, shouldn't cost a lot if bought 2nd hand, and if your grandchildren don't take to sailing you can always sell them again for most if not all of what you paid for them. My daughters had a Pico for a bit when they were around 12, can't comment on the Topaz. With hindsight a Topper might have been better at that age as my girls were probably a bit small for a Pico at that time. It's a great sport, I was about that age when I started and still have friends from that era coming up on 50 years later ! Find a local club you all like as you can probably hire/lend boats first anyway.

ColPrice2002 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 25 Nov 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 222	Post Options Post Reply Quote ColPrice2002 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 16 Aug 22 at 11:21am
	Just a thought for any second hand purchase... Pico spares (e.g. rudder, daggerboard) are quite expensive relative to the cost of the package. Check that all are present and in good order before buying. I assume that the Topaz costs are similar. Colin

Riv Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 23 Nov 13 Location: South Devon Online Status: Offline Posts: 353	Post Options Post Reply Quote Riv Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 16 Aug 22 at 11:31am
	Our club has both, sailed both a lot. Pico, lighter and smaller, favoured by children, mast is lighter Topaz Uno, heavier and bigger, too difficult for some children the right after capsize. Board is very high out of the water. Pico parts are expensive None of the Topaz bits have been lost or broken yet. Buy one from Fresh water. All the stainless steel and aluminium connections corrode really badly on both if used on salt water and not washed (normal) I'd buy the Pico.
	Mistral Div II prototype board, Original Windsurfer, Hornet built'74.