Topper Omega vs Laser Bahia , buy which?
Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: General
Forum Name: Choosing a boat
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URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=4393
Printed Date: 13 Jul 25 at 4:10am
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Topic: Topper Omega vs Laser Bahia , buy which?
Posted By: NorskScot
Subject: Topper Omega vs Laser Bahia , buy which?
Date Posted: 18 Jul 08 at 9:07am
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I am looking to buy my first family dinghy to ship to Norway and my choices are the Topper Omega or the Laser Bahia. I am looking for a safe, maintenance-free, family boat that will take 2 adults and 3 kids and will take an outboard for fishing trips. Plan is to go for evening sails and short day trips among the islands. Also for some 2-up sailing fun with a mate. Any thoughts out there - the boats are of a very similar spec.
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Replies:
Posted By: robinft
Date Posted: 18 Jul 08 at 9:36am
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Neither, you're asking the wrong forum! Seriously though, check out the exploits of Frank Dye and buy a Wayfarer.
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Posted By: Smight at BBSC
Date Posted: 18 Jul 08 at 10:24am
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Neither! ! ever ...
------------- RS600 988 |
Posted By: Philsy
Date Posted: 18 Jul 08 at 10:36am
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The Bahia strikes me as extremely heavy for what it is - may be a
consideration. Wayfarer is still a good cruising boat. ------------- |
Posted By: dopamine
Date Posted: 18 Jul 08 at 11:11am
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What helpful replies! The Bahia is a far better conceived package than the Omega imho, sounds like it would sort your purposes very well. As an accomplished capsiser and turtler I think rotomoulded boats do stand up to rough treatment better than other types of plastic.
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Posted By: radixon
Date Posted: 18 Jul 08 at 11:45am
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I have sailed all boats mentioned. The Wayfarer is a much better boat for your money. It is a stable boat that can easily cruise with 5 people on board, 3 kids up front and the other adult opposite the sailor or balancing the boat out. The Laser Omega is ok, but more plasticcy looking than the Laser. It has the added benifit of a standard assy kite which the Laser has too. Was an OK sail when we took it out. As for the Laser Bahia, this is a tippy boat, which I think the Omega is as well. It is OK, they all I think can have the outboard bracket, they are all easy to rig but all heavy so will require the assistance of two people. If I had say £6k to spend and I wanted a family cruising boat, I would go for a Wayfarer, much better built boats, less hassle and robust even though they are made of fibreglass. They would also be easier to sell on too if you needed to as they retain their value well whichI recon the others won't.
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Posted By: winging it
Date Posted: 18 Jul 08 at 12:03pm
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Further to all this, having just been through the stress of shipping a boat abroad, I would look into the possibility of buying a wayfarer once you get to Norway. http://www.wayfarer.dk/ - Scandinavian Wayfarer Class Association  ------------- the same, but different... |
Posted By: m_liddell
Date Posted: 18 Jul 08 at 12:10pm
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I grew up in Norway. My parents bought a mirror dinghy for sailing and motoring around the fijords and visiting islands which worked really well and was lots of fun. The "N3" sail number always raised a few eyebrows when it was imported back into the UK and we sailed it! Obviously you are something larger though. One thing to bear in mind is that on the fijords you really are on your own with no safety cover whatsoever. Be careful, we once had the split pin go from the prop which was a bit scary. That said, I remember motoring out with my dad at night when it was perfectly calm - you could see all the way to the bottom on it was very very deep, like being suspended in space. As far as I know there are not many of teh modern boats can take an outboard (L2000 etc) so make sure you check. I'm not sure about the two you are considering. |
Posted By: alstorer
Date Posted: 19 Jul 08 at 8:50am
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I'd back the recommendations for a Wayfarer. Roomy and stable, but three sails up and they'll go like a train down wind. They're also good for crusing- opening up the possibility of short camping trips. As long as you don't sail them full tilt into rocks and make sure they're fully drained when the temprature is below freezing, they're also pretty bombproof.
I was, I have to say, pretty suprised that Y&Y missed the Wayfarer from the roundup of family daysailors in this months mag. They're the boat that the Bahia, Omega, Stratos and others (such as dead classes like the Topper Sport 16 and Laser 16) want to be. |
Posted By: laserboy404
Date Posted: 19 Jul 08 at 9:03am
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My Uncle has bought an RS Vision and has been very pleased with it, plenty of room, stable and an outboard bracket is available. Plus it is rotomoulded so is quite indestructable ------------- Laser 159392 Javelin 53 |
Posted By: winging it
Date Posted: 19 Jul 08 at 10:12am
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I am surprised no one has thought to point out the Picnic Boats review in Y&Y! Shame on you Merlinmags! There's also a full page ad for a Wayfarer.....where is Mr Noyce? ------------- the same, but different... |
Posted By: radixon
Date Posted: 19 Jul 08 at 7:32pm
2 posts before you!! ------------- |
Posted By: winging it
Date Posted: 19 Jul 08 at 9:12pm
d'oh! 
------------- the same, but different... |
Posted By: superiorjet
Date Posted: 11 Mar 10 at 3:47pm
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wayfarer is a bit of a old hat now ay..! who wants probs/maintanence with fibregass/wood anymore Omega/Stratos are fine all round boats, had both great for families, easy for spares, easy to sail.. and yes ive had many wayferer's, etc.. there were nice 20/30 yrs ago..! but nowadays i would rather be sailing than maintaining.!
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Posted By: getafix
Date Posted: 11 Mar 10 at 4:32pm
blimey, you must need a crash helmet when you go sailing matey, sailed Wayfarers and taught in them for many years, absolutely great boats, very low maintenance if you go for the GRP type, incredibly forgiving of even bow-on ramming of pontoons, reefable sails, bags of tips all over the place, massive 'installed base', tent & outboard options, bass or makarel fishing off the back of one with a beer in hand after 30mins beat up tide close-tacking to the shore is do-able, fun and a bl**dy good way to while away a sunny afternoon IMO ------------- Feeling sorry for vegans since it became the latest fad to claim you are one |
Posted By: rs405
Date Posted: 11 Mar 10 at 5:55pm
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I have taught in Wayfarers, Visions and Bahias and would say that the Bahia is better than the Vision, things just seem thought through a bit more. You can't really beat a Wayfarer. They are fantastic boats and are as pleasurable in a drifter as a storm. They are also a lot dryer than the Rotoboats. ------------- 420, 470, 405, laser 4000 |
Posted By: JohnW
Date Posted: 11 Mar 10 at 6:06pm
| This thread is nearly 2 years old. Im sure the OP has gone off to Norway a long time ago! |
Posted By: Hector
Date Posted: 15 Mar 10 at 12:42am
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Hope he didnt go for the Laser Bahia thing - I wouldn't buy anything from them. Shocking ineptitude as a business, with very poor customer service from day one overpriced products and lack of spares as soon as they 'drop' the boat - which they will. it appears to me they just survive from the sales of the Original Laser and a few plastic tubs to holiday firms (who pay a fraction of the 'retail' price for them). Wayfarer has proven pedigree and durability and a class asssociation with racing cruising and much more going on. As residual value of boats is probably also far higher seems to me the obvious choce. |
Posted By: NickA
Date Posted: 16 Mar 10 at 7:53pm
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A man who dares to speak his mind! Nice one Hector. But will they ever sell you the rights to the vortex now you've dissed them so? .... having said which, every boat I've owned originated in some way with laser. A pico, a laser 2, a laser and (albeit much improved), a (V)3000. Borrowed a Stratos (no keel) on holiday once and really enjoyed it. Tried a 4000 on Sunday and was also very impressed. What happened to laser eh? Used to be a string of great boats in the catalogue with a nice progression from raw beginner to super performance .... now all we get is "the original laser and a few plastic tubs". Sad sad sad.
------------- Javelin 558 Contender 2574 |