RS Vareo for handicap racing
Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: General
Forum Name: Choosing a boat
Forum Discription: Ask any questions about the sport!
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=13161
Printed Date: 10 May 25 at 10:17pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: RS Vareo for handicap racing
Posted By: EagleEyeEmpire
Subject: RS Vareo for handicap racing
Date Posted: 01 Sep 18 at 6:12pm
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Hi, I have been looking for a new single handed dinghy to use for racing. I think my best option is an RS Vareo, as it has a relatively good handicap, at 1090. Are there any other options suitable for me and is there anywhere in the UK where I could go to see one in action. I am 15 and weigh 15 stone, Thanks
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Replies:
Posted By: Do Different
Date Posted: 01 Sep 18 at 8:53pm
| If you want racing, stop looking at handicap numbers and look instead at boats you like the look of that might suit your build and ability and fleets near you. |
Posted By: EagleEyeEmpire
Date Posted: 01 Sep 18 at 9:09pm
| There are not many racing fleets around me for single handers, and as my sailing club is quite small, they only race handicap |
Posted By: Oli
Date Posted: 01 Sep 18 at 9:12pm
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If you feel the boat is right for you then that’s the correct answer, wouldn’t worry about one design or handicap chatter, go out sail, race, have fun. ------------- https://skiff-media.teemill.com/" rel="nofollow - T-SHIRTS https://www.photo4me.com/profile/23908/" rel="nofollow - PRINTS |
Posted By: Do Different
Date Posted: 01 Sep 18 at 9:29pm
Spot on Oli. 
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Posted By: craiggo
Date Posted: 01 Sep 18 at 10:00pm
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Where do you sail?
At 15st I'd be looking at OKs, Phantoms, Finns and maybe Supernova but it really does depend on what else is at your club, what are the typical courses, what your budget is. ------------- OK 2129 RS200 411 |
Posted By: EagleEyeEmpire
Date Posted: 02 Sep 18 at 8:27am
| My club has a couple of phantoms, a few D-zeros and a few contenders. Not looking to spend more than 3000 |
Posted By: Sam.Spoons
Date Posted: 02 Sep 18 at 8:45am
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Where do you sail? Any boat with a spinnaker is going to struggle to sail to it's handicap on a small lake, the Vario in particular as it is reputed to be not so fast upwind. ------------- Spice 346 "Flat Broke" Blaze 671 "supersonic soap dish" |
Posted By: EagleEyeEmpire
Date Posted: 02 Sep 18 at 9:20am
| I sail on a river so each race we do normally has equal time up and down wind |
Posted By: Sam.Spoons
Date Posted: 02 Sep 18 at 9:32am
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Narrow river or wide open estuary? If narrow you would be much better without a trapeze or spinnaker, both make it much harder to sail to the handicap on confined waters. Phantom would be a good choice and you could get a modern(ish) boat with a carbon rig for around your budget.
Also bare in mind assy spinnakers don't go dead downwind (Sym kites do but no singlehander has one) and trapeze is not usable on a run either. Since the PN will take into account both you will struggle to sail to handicap.
------------- Spice 346 "Flat Broke" Blaze 671 "supersonic soap dish" |
Posted By: Rupert
Date Posted: 02 Sep 18 at 11:00am
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Goosewinging a Vareo kite works surprisingly well, but I'd still not buy one for that purpose. ------------- Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686 |
Posted By: turnturtle
Date Posted: 02 Sep 18 at 12:22pm
| I’d look at the Phantom at a smaller club tbh - a Vareo needs a good stretchy run or broad reach to get the kite to pay |
Posted By: Gordon 1430
Date Posted: 03 Sep 18 at 7:50am
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I think the big issue for you with the Vareo will be its really bad pointing, we have had a few at our club and nobody can make them point. For you on a narrow river getting spat below Phantoms and other boats of a start line will be a real problem. Downwind the kite wont be as usable as you think. Agree with others a Phantom would be good but I am biast so you ought to consider Supernova, Solo, OK or possible a Laser. ------------- Gordon Phantom 1430 |
Posted By: sawman
Date Posted: 04 Sep 18 at 6:05pm
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I sailed a vareo at a river club, it was hopeless - hard work and ineffective upwind, the kite isnt really big enough to get it going downwind. Not an unpleasant boat to sail, but I don't think handicap racing is what its for - whizzing backwards and forwards at the beach on holiday suits it much better |
Posted By: craiggo
Date Posted: 04 Sep 18 at 6:45pm
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I'd find an early vandercraft phantom. Should easily be in budget
------------- OK 2129 RS200 411 |
Posted By: jeffers
Date Posted: 05 Sep 18 at 8:44am
If you can stretch to around £3.5k there are early D-Zeros going for that now and it would give you others boats to directly race against. Otherwise you should be able to get an epoxy Phantom for around £3k just make sure you have the correct stiffness mast and cut of sail. ------------- Paul ---------------------- D-Zero GBR 74 |