Laser 161752 Tynemouth |
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Laser 28 - Excellent example of this great design Hamble le rice |
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Laser 140101 Tynemouth |
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List classes of boat for sale |
Optimist versus Tera |
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johnreekie1980 ![]() Groupie ![]() Joined: 11 Jun 07 Online Status: Offline Posts: 91 |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posted: 01 Sep 14 at 1:56pm |
Just saw an article on a Tera event at Derwent with 103 boats competing. Is the Tera taking over from the Optimist in the UK and do parents now need to buy two boats to let their kids compete in a series if they are good enough to go to a world championship?
Whilst the Tera is a relatively modern looking dinghy it does not appear to be cheap at over £2000 and I am not even sure you get a trolley for that money. Why are all these parents choosing to go down this route with the likely outcome that we will have a reduced youth class at the under 15 category. |
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JimC ![]() Really should get out more ![]() ![]() Joined: 17 May 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 6662 |
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Because they don't want to be labelled as Oppie parents?
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Dougal ![]() Really should get out more ![]() ![]() Joined: 23 Sep 09 Location: England Online Status: Offline Posts: 556 |
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Having recently returned from the Oppie Nationals at Weymouth, I think the Teras still have a way to go before they start threatening the Oppies. 103 Tera's is a great turnout which many classes would be delighted with, but the Oppies still managed 470 boats with 19 countries represented.
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What could possibly go wrong?
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Dougal ![]() Really should get out more ![]() ![]() Joined: 23 Sep 09 Location: England Online Status: Offline Posts: 556 |
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I've got to be honest, I was a bit worried about this whole 'Oppie Parent' thing before heading to Weymouth. In practice though my experiences were of an incredibly friendly and helpful bunch of people and I found the 'Oppie parent' thing to be a myth. No doubt there will be exceptions, but you get them in all classes (I have recent experiences of this elsewhere...). Personally, I had a really enjoyable week. I would also add I thought the race management and shore management were exceptional, and the amount of effort put in by mainly/wholly(?) unpaid volunteers was great to see. The majority of days being sunny with winds between 10kts and 22kts also helped. The expression champagne sailing was used on more than one occasion!
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What could possibly go wrong?
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Medway Maniac ![]() Really should get out more ![]() ![]() Joined: 13 May 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 2788 |
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I went to a talk by the designer a couple of years ago, and he said he felt the niche for the Tera was on account of the boxy, flat fronted look of the Oppi. Kids wanted a pointy bow and that's what he gave them. From the evidence, it seems he was right.
I can imagine that a top Oppi with all the best kit costs appreciably more than a Tera too? That might be another factor. There are second-hand Oppis, of course, but are they good enough for little Jonny?
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Dougal ![]() Really should get out more ![]() ![]() Joined: 23 Sep 09 Location: England Online Status: Offline Posts: 556 |
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I've heard others say the same thing i.e. the Tera looks like a proper boat.
Each to their own of course, my youngest wouldn't be seen dead in a Tera as he loves his Oppie (it was £1,200 second hand for a competitive boat inc. a sail that is ok, new fully spec'd Oppies are £3k - £3.5k I think). |
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What could possibly go wrong?
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johnreekie1980 ![]() Groupie ![]() Joined: 11 Jun 07 Online Status: Offline Posts: 91 |
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Surely Tera Parents is a worse nickname. I am Terafied already pardon the pun. |
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kevg ![]() Posting king ![]() ![]() Joined: 13 Dec 05 Location: Wrexham Online Status: Offline Posts: 120 |
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I think the Tera is more a threat to the Topper 4.2 (and then the full sail Topper 5.3) than the Optimist.
Kevin |
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winging it ![]() Really should get out more ![]() ![]() Joined: 22 Mar 07 Online Status: Offline Posts: 3958 |
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We have had a sudden outburst of oppies this year ar Hunts. Four out racing in the handicap fleet on Sunday, 10 + doing Boat Camp last week. I see no sign of an imminent Tera takeover.
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the same, but different...
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craiggo ![]() Really should get out more ![]() ![]() Joined: 01 Apr 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1810 |
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I'm taken by the Tera, just got to find out whether it will work in a tidal estuary where Toppers work well but Optimists are too slow. I have to say the Oppie parent stigma puts me off going that route!
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