First sailboat dinghy!

   Hi there, newbie here!
There's a used boats dealer near me that has the mentioned boats for sail.

Buying my first sailboat to learn as I go... did some sailing lessons in a club nearby to learn the real basics but can only learn by myself, I live near a bay and futher south theres a lake I know pretty well and I think I'll be safe practicing there...

I'm buying the boat with a road trailer, and will be launching and retrieving by myself, and most of the sailing will be alone although I'd like to take my son and friends with me sometime...

So the Vortex would make sense on the budget side of things but seems quite speed oriented, not sure it's good as a starter boat...

The Magno Topper seems to be the compromise between budget and size since it can carry a few people, it's easier to launch than the Stratus, but I've read some nasty reviews on it's performance, durability...

The Stratos seems like a bigger boat, more confortable ride especially with guests. On the downside I was told fiberglass is worse for dinghies as plastic is maintenance free, is it? 

I'd like to go for the stratos but I'm afraid it's simply to big to handle by myself launching and retrieving and to sail single-handed... Still seems to be a solutions for some sailing years since a possible upgrade from the stratos would be a keelboat daysailer...

Anyway, I just need some feedback on the way I'm thinking and on the boats.

Thanks a lot!

Poll Question: Topper Magno
Poll Choice	Votes	Poll Statistics
Laser Vortex	0	[0.00%]
Laser Stratos CB	0	[0.00%]
You can not vote in this poll

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dbernardes Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 27 Jun 25 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1	Post Options Post Reply Quote dbernardes Report Post Quote Reply Topic: First sailboat dinghy! Posted: 27 Jun 25 at 1:21pm
	Hi there, newbie here! There's a used boats dealer near me that has the mentioned boats for sail. Buying my first sailboat to learn as I go... did some sailing lessons in a club nearby to learn the real basics but can only learn by myself, I live near a bay and futher south theres a lake I know pretty well and I think I'll be safe practicing there... I'm buying the boat with a road trailer, and will be launching and retrieving by myself, and most of the sailing will be alone although I'd like to take my son and friends with me sometime... So the Vortex would make sense on the budget side of things but seems quite speed oriented, not sure it's good as a starter boat... The Magno Topper seems to be the compromise between budget and size since it can carry a few people, it's easier to launch than the Stratus, but I've read some nasty reviews on it's performance, durability... The Stratos seems like a bigger boat, more confortable ride especially with guests. On the downside I was told fiberglass is worse for dinghies as plastic is maintenance free, is it? I'd like to go for the stratos but I'm afraid it's simply to big to handle by myself launching and retrieving and to sail single-handed... Still seems to be a solutions for some sailing years since a possible upgrade from the stratos would be a keelboat daysailer... Anyway, I just need some feedback on the way I'm thinking and on the boats. Thanks a lot!

JimC Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 17 May 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 6662	Post Options Post Reply Quote JimC Report Post Quote Reply Posted: Yesterday at 8:00am
	TBH in your place I would't choose any of those. Your list of negatives for each one are reasonable. They all seem to have too many drawbacks for your stated use.

Wiclif Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Groupie Joined: 04 Oct 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 82	Post Options Post Reply Quote Wiclif Report Post Quote Reply Posted: Yesterday at 5:01pm
	I would second Jim’s comment. The Vortex is just totally unsuitable The Stratos is a lovely boat but would be a challenge for most people handling on their own, you need quite a bit of experience launching and recovering due to its weight. I would strongly suggest you take a sailing course, either at a local club or on a holiday and try to sail as many different types of boats as possible. You will also get more use out of your boat if it is kept at a club