Boat for beginner?

   I'm a beginner. Having watched the Olympic yachting I decided to give it a go and have just passed my L1 and L2 courses.I wish to buy a boat soni can practice and become more confident.  I learned in a Wayfairer but will be doing the majority of my sailing alone so need a dingy that is manageable for 1 (withnpossiblynthe option of 2-though realistically could change boat at later stage if friends learn).
The main things I'd want would be to be able to handle it easily alone and get lots of practice and hopefully start some racing (once skill/confidence have increased).
Any advice would be much appreciated.
Stuart 

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Sbooth76 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 18 Sep 12 Location: Yarm Online Status: Offline Posts: 7	Post Options Post Reply Quote Sbooth76 Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Boat for beginner? Posted: 18 Sep 12 at 8:33am
	I'm a beginner. Having watched the Olympic yachting I decided to give it a go and have just passed my L1 and L2 courses. I wish to buy a boat soni can practice and become more confident. I learned in a Wayfairer but will be doing the majority of my sailing alone so need a dingy that is manageable for 1 (withnpossiblynthe option of 2-though realistically could change boat at later stage if friends learn). The main things I'd want would be to be able to handle it easily alone and get lots of practice and hopefully start some racing (once skill/confidence have increased). Any advice would be much appreciated. Stuart
	Teacher and entrepreneur. Find me on twitter @SBooth76 or Facebook stuartbooth

SoggyBadger Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 26 Oct 10 Location: The Wild Wood Online Status: Offline Posts: 552	Post Options Post Reply Quote SoggyBadger Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 18 Sep 12 at 9:28am
	How tall are you? How heavy are you? How fit are you?
	Best wishes from deep in the woods SB

Mister Nick Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 01 Aug 09 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 389	Post Options Post Reply Quote Mister Nick Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 18 Sep 12 at 9:49am
	Could you let us know the height and weight of you and your crew? :)

Sbooth76 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 18 Sep 12 Location: Yarm Online Status: Offline Posts: 7	Post Options Post Reply Quote Sbooth76 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 18 Sep 12 at 10:08am
	Hi. Sorry for lack of info. Im 35 (if that has any relevance) and am 5'11" and slim/slight build (10 stone so a lightweight). I am fairly (average) fit. Hope this helps.
	Teacher and entrepreneur. Find me on twitter @SBooth76 or Facebook stuartbooth

Sbooth76 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 18 Sep 12 Location: Yarm Online Status: Offline Posts: 7	Post Options Post Reply Quote Sbooth76 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 18 Sep 12 at 10:10am
	I have no crew. Im hoping to practice/develop alone and possibly in future move onto a larger boat (wife/brother/friends are hoping to learn next season). Im flexible in whether to get a single man dingy or a larger one which has option of 1 man or crew... thanks.
	Teacher and entrepreneur. Find me on twitter @SBooth76 or Facebook stuartbooth

pondmonkey Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 12 Aug 11 Online Status: Offline Posts: 2202	Post Options Post Reply Quote pondmonkey Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 18 Sep 12 at 10:16am
	Do they sail/race Lasers at your local sailing club? If so, I'd recommend one as a stepping stone into the sport. If you buy well you shouldn't lose too much cash on it over a couple of years and the true cost of buying a boat isn't how much upfront capital you invest- it's the running cost and depreciation, both of which are pretty low in a Laser.

RS400atC Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 04 Dec 08 Online Status: Offline Posts: 3011	Post Options Post Reply Quote RS400atC Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 18 Sep 12 at 10:21am
	A Laser won't be a bad purchase. I'd suggest looking for one with a radial rig as well as standard.

Sbooth76 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 18 Sep 12 Location: Yarm Online Status: Offline Posts: 7	Post Options Post Reply Quote Sbooth76 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 18 Sep 12 at 10:40am
	Hi. thanks for the info. Is there a particular laser you'd recommend? (I didn't realise there were so many different types). Am I right in thinking the Radial Rig is a smaller sail?
	Teacher and entrepreneur. Find me on twitter @SBooth76 or Facebook stuartbooth

Medway Maniac Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 13 May 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 2788	Post Options Post Reply Quote Medway Maniac Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 18 Sep 12 at 10:44am
	Yes, depends very much on what others are sailing at your local club - it's much better if you can compare with / ask questions of others in the same class of boat. My first thought was Laser Radial, but if you are a real beginner in sailing with just level 1 & 2 (and an adult beginner at that - much harder!) then I think you might be better off spending a few months in a Topper first. At 10 stone you're the right weight, and compared to a Laser they are appreciably more forgiving yet still reward good sailing technique. The Laser is a more precise instrument, but doesn't tolerate beginners' errors - OK if you're happy to get wet often and persevere. You can get/fit fit Toppers with a Laser-style sheeting arrangement nowadays, so the transition into Laser later is eased. But as we've said, depends what others have at your club.
	Wilsonian SC 3000 Class

Guests Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Guest Group	Post Options Post Reply Quote Guests Quote Reply Posted: 18 Sep 12 at 10:59am
	First off, it’s great to see someone inspired and motivated enough by the Olympics to take up the World’s Best Sport. Secondly, the Laser/Laser Radial has to be the way to go. They are the same boat, but the Radial sail is smaller and more suitable if you are 10 stone. They are cheap, hold their value and there are loads for sale in every sailing club/ebay/Apollo duck/Y&Y. There will also be others to race against at your club, of all different standards. There also loads of books and DVDs specifically about how to sail Lasers well. Budget wise, you can pick one up from £400 - £2000+, and a £1000 will be competitive. Try to get one with an XD kit (extra pulleys for easier sailing). You will capsize as you learn, but getting wet doesn’t hurt and you will be up and sailing again in less than 30 seconds in a Laser, so it’s not traumatic.