Dinghy for a Middle Aged Starter

   A GP14 would be too heavy in some places, they are not the lightest boats to pull up the slip, with only one adult. They are of course, absolutely great fleet racing boats, for racing against other GP14's.
My advice would be to join a club with similar members, then look for a boat of the same class as some of the other people there sail. Most people will take you out for a trial sail, although it's not the ideal time of year.
In our club, comparable Dad/Child teams sail Visions, RS200, National 12, Vago.
Don't necessarily go for something too slow and underpowered, you want it to be responsive in light air.

One thing I would say, is buy a boat with the idea that you might move on from it as your skills and interests develop. And as people grow up of course. So think twice before investing too much cash or winter hours on your first boat. One of you might take to racing seriously for instance.
Just look for a sound, well sorted example of a class that will be easy to sell on later.

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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 Topic: Dinghy for a Middle Aged Starter Posted: 30 Nov 10 at 12:14pm
	A GP14 would be too heavy in some places, they are not the lightest boats to pull up the slip, with only one adult. They are of course, absolutely great fleet racing boats, for racing against other GP14's. My advice would be to join a club with similar members, then look for a boat of the same class as some of the other people there sail. Most people will take you out for a trial sail, although it's not the ideal time of year. In our club, comparable Dad/Child teams sail Visions, RS200, National 12, Vago. Don't necessarily go for something too slow and underpowered, you want it to be responsive in light air. One thing I would say, is buy a boat with the idea that you might move on from it as your skills and interests develop. And as people grow up of course. So think twice before investing too much cash or winter hours on your first boat. One of you might take to racing seriously for instance. Just look for a sound, well sorted example of a class that will be easy to sell on later.

getafix Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 28 Mar 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 2143	Post Options Post Reply Quote getafix Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 10 Jan 11 at 9:43am
	GP's have a nice deep cockpit and the boom is relatively high = most have 'seats' inside too, this is a really good feature IMO for family sailing. The space under the transom and foredeck (depending on design you get) can be extremely useful for stowing beach, fishing and picnic stuff too. They are heavy, so steep or slippery slipways are not brilliant, but if you can get one cheap enough, then ~£250 spent on a really good launching trolley makes a lot of this issue go away, you can also fit a small outboard pretty easily as well (although not too small as you need some grunt to get a GP with two or three people onboard & some gear moving, particularly if you have tide &/or wind against you).

doeywizard Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Posting king Joined: 16 Jun 10 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 150	Post Options Post Reply Quote doeywizard Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 10 Jan 11 at 6:07pm
	The rs feva is a good two person boat and it can also be sailed with just a main sail on your own, there was some one in the YHYSA who saild it single handed and was doing very well

rickstar 1027 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Groupie Joined: 19 Feb 11 Location: birmigham Online Status: Offline Posts: 44	Post Options Post Reply Quote rickstar 1027 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 21 Feb 11 at 8:22am
	no DO NOT GET A FEVA the mainsail on its own sails horrible i would go with mirror miracle cadet dracombe ........
	Mirror 58430 Laser Vortex 1027

stewart smith Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Groupie Joined: 10 Jan 11 Location: Buntingford, Hertfordshire Online Status: Offline Posts: 62	Post Options Post Reply Quote stewart smith Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 23 May 11 at 6:58pm
	Don’t bother with a ½ boat! Buy a catamaran. Many can be sailed easily single handed, as well as two up. Catamarans give you a gentle learning curve, a great family picnic platform and great fun from the start. They can be sailed in a wide range of winds and good well made boat can be found quite cheep.
	Stewart Smith

themeaningoflife Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Far too distracted from work Joined: 06 May 11 Location: Essex/ Kent Online Status: Offline Posts: 212	Post Options Post Reply Quote themeaningoflife Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 23 May 11 at 7:19pm
	vareo? plenty big enough for 2 with the kite 2 keep kids interested but easy to handle for somebody your size with just the main (small or large) just in case you hadn't chosen already :)
	Cambridge University Lightweight Rowing Club RS800 1128 kindly sponsored by RWO Marine