Boat advice - light/oldie

   Hi
I am returning to sailing after a gap of about 35 years, I used to do a bit of crewing/racing in a GP14 when at school.
I am about to take a couple of RYA dinghy courses and my intention is to get into singlehanded racing.
I have tried looking through many of the topics but can't seem to find anything that quite answers my query.
I am 5' 4" and about 55kgs, as a runner my aim is to be as light as possible!
As a 51 year old I am wanting to race in master categories rather than the junior/female categories who are the usual people asking this sort of query.
The boat that seems to fit is the Laser Radial, would this be fine and what else might fit? 

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cedric Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 17 Jan 06 Online Status: Offline Posts: 10	Post Options Post Reply Quote cedric Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Boat advice - light/oldie Posted: 17 Jan 06 at 11:59am
	Hi I am returning to sailing after a gap of about 35 years, I used to do a bit of crewing/racing in a GP14 when at school. I am about to take a couple of RYA dinghy courses and my intention is to get into singlehanded racing. I have tried looking through many of the topics but can't seem to find anything that quite answers my query. I am 5' 4" and about 55kgs, as a runner my aim is to be as light as possible! As a 51 year old I am wanting to race in master categories rather than the junior/female categories who are the usual people asking this sort of query. The boat that seems to fit is the Laser Radial, would this be fine and what else might fit?

Scooby_simon Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 02 Apr 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 2415	Post Options Post Reply Quote Scooby_simon Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 17 Jan 06 at 12:02pm
	Depends where you sail (or plan to sail). I'd point you in the direction of the Sprint 15 (Dart 15)! http://www.sprint15.com/
	Wanna learn to Ski - PM me..

cedric Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 17 Jan 06 Online Status: Offline Posts: 10	Post Options Post Reply Quote cedric Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 17 Jan 06 at 12:33pm
	Sailing will probably all be on the coast. Hadn't thought of a catamaran

Chew my RS Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 05 Oct 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 790	Post Options Post Reply Quote Chew my RS Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 17 Jan 06 at 1:30pm
	There's quite a few that would fit the bill, links to all the websites can be found under the Y&Y Classes pages. Dinghies:Laser Radial, Solo, Streaker, Lightning 368, Topper, Byte, Comet. Cats: Sprint 15 Its best to look at what they sail at the club you are likely to join - if there is a fleet of one of these classes it would be sensible to get that boat. If there is no dominant class I would suggest that the Solo is most suitable but the others are all good boats. The Solo is more refined (and expensive) than most and is popular nationwide (easy to buy/sell etc). You may be a bit small for the Radial, but not significantly. In many ways the Topper is the ideal size, but it is mainly raced by youths and women. The new, improved, Byte looks good but is still quite rare, as are the Streaker, Lightning and Comet.

Chew my RS Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 05 Oct 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 790	Post Options Post Reply Quote Chew my RS Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 17 Jan 06 at 1:32pm
	I should add that the Radial and Solo get the biggest fleets at open meetings and nationals.

m_liddell Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 27 May 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 583	Post Options Post Reply Quote m_liddell Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 17 Jan 06 at 2:10pm
	I would definitly consider the Byte or something similar over the laser radial, though I really have no idea what the racing is like and you might not have a fleet where you sail. It is aimed at lighter sailors (100lbs - 160lbs). You will be overpowered in the radial very quickly at 5'4" and 55kgs, the optimum weight for it is 65kg - 72kg and height also plays an important role in righting moment. The laser is just no fun to sail upwind if you are very overpowered. There are loads of radials around though, so try one out in different winds and see how you get on with it. It might be frustrating if you are uncompetitive in F4+ though. Edited by m_liddell

Rob.e Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 19 Oct 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 545	Post Options Post Reply Quote Rob.e Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 17 Jan 06 at 5:06pm
	The Solo is a lovely boat ( I should know, I have one) but I would say you are really too small and light. Jack Holt designed the Streaker when he was older and struggling with his Solo, and if you can find a fleet it would be a good bet. They seem to be doing well, with a new builder in Rooster, but the best advice would be to find what is sailed near you! At HISC we do have lighter Solo sailers, and the fleet is big enough that most people will find someone to race. The trouble with the Radial is that you'd be racing a lot of youngsters, many of whom will have been through some good training and who may well be sailing to a rather higher standard if you are just coming back to it after a long break. As m-liddel says, the Laser in any form) is a struggle if you are the wrong size.

Prince Buster Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 15 Dec 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1146	Post Options Post Reply Quote Prince Buster Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 17 Jan 06 at 5:32pm
	Don't bother getting a laser Radial. I've got one and i'm 50kg and i'm overpowered upwind in anything over a F3! . You'd be better off to go for something with more speed for the effort put in - i think a catamaran sounds like the best idea. A Sprint 15 would be good.
	international moth - "what what?"

Scooby_simon Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 02 Apr 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 2415	Post Options Post Reply Quote Scooby_simon Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 17 Jan 06 at 6:08pm
	If it's the coat; then I would 100% back a Sprint 15.
	Wanna learn to Ski - PM me..

Sprint Bob Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 17 Jan 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 314	Post Options Post Reply Quote Sprint Bob Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 17 Jan 06 at 9:00pm
	Hi I endorse Scooby Simon's recommendation of the Sprint 15, particularly if you are near a Club which has a fleet. It is an exciting but relatively under canvassed catamaran which is less physically demanding due to the larger righting moment offered by a catamaran. This make it somewhat forgiving to sail. It is very flexible as it can be sailed single handed or 2-up. It can be trailed or car topped if you plan to travel. The class association is very active and friendly. Take a look at their excellent web site at www.sprint15.com The National Championship entry tends to to be dominated by competitors who are over 50 years old. Ladies and youths do well also. The Championships have been won by a 7 stone 17 year old, a girl of about 21 as well as older guys of 50-60. At Whitstable a couple of tears ago an 83 year old took part as well as a 13 year old. Anyway give the web site a look Best Wishes