Advice on choosing boat for me
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=715
Printed Date: 10 May 25 at 5:31pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Advice on choosing boat for me
Posted By: Paul Smith
Subject: Advice on choosing boat for me
Date Posted: 20 May 05 at 7:54pm
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Hi to all. This is my first posting and am seeking advice on choosing the right Dinghy. I am 54yrs, 15st, 6ft and living in The Cotwolds. In 2004 I undertook a Sailing Course, Introduction - Competent Crew and Navigation in Botnay Bay, Australia. I have just returned from another 3 month trip down under where I did some twilight racing. All my experience has been in keel boats. This experience is not extensive and I need lots of practice. Since returning to the UK I have taken an RYA sailing course in dinghies and am looking to purchase one. The sailing course was in a Laser Pico which I found a complete nightmare and very uncomfortable. The majority of the time I will be single crewed but I would like the benefit of being able to single crew but carry from time to time 1 or 2 others. I don't have a desperate wish to start racing until understanding more about what I am doing but also have a dinghy that I can grow into as my experiance grows. I have been searching the web looking at all sorts of Dinghies but would value the advice of forum members. Many thanks Paul ------------- I HAVE SEEN THE LIGHT SINCE LEARNING TO SAIL IN OZ |
Replies:
Posted By: carshalton fc
Date Posted: 20 May 05 at 8:34pm
well i would say the rs vareo is has a nice size main and when you got a bit better you could use the spinni and when the time comes you can go and race it on the rs raceing circuit!! hope you pic the right boat!! luke ------------- International 14 1503 |
Posted By: Stefan Lloyd
Date Posted: 21 May 05 at 7:44am
| Find a club. See what they sail there. Buy one of those. If you are sailing the same as other club members, you have an instant support network for advice, guidance and socialing, plus a future route into racing. |
Posted By: Phil eltringham
Date Posted: 21 May 05 at 11:14am
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The best boat for you to sail solo is probably a finn once you've had a bit of practice. But Stefan is right, find your local club, get to know the people here and get advice from them. As far as a boat for two or three people, look at the wayfarer, it's big, stable, you can sail it with anywhere between one and four paople in (+kiddies), and if you want to race it there is a great class association and it will go pretty quick if you want it to (oh and you can go camping in it and sail it to scandinavia if you are so inclined) Hope this helps ------------- FLAT IS FAST! Shifts Happen |
Posted By: Stefan Lloyd
Date Posted: 21 May 05 at 11:25am
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I seem to remember one of the Cotswold clubs sails Phantoms. A possible choice at 15 stone and a bit easier to drag up the slipway than a Finn. |
Posted By: Phil eltringham
Date Posted: 21 May 05 at 12:01pm
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forgotton that one, good point ------------- FLAT IS FAST! Shifts Happen |
Posted By: aj3001
Date Posted: 29 May 05 at 8:26am
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Comet Duo, single handed. If you are inexperienced you will learn quick, can be sailed with the main only, main and jib or jib only depending on the wind and your bravery. It is amazing to train in because people have said if you can sail one of those you can handle just about anything. Picos are horrible, last winter during a boxing day persuit race, force 3 winds, flying down the lake and she rolls, very annoying and lots of swearing and thats something you dont need in a race. The comet duo will increase your reaction speed, and when you start racing it gets pretty fun. I race in them regualry at my local lakes, normally against lasers, 420's, lightnings and I can still beat them all, and thats on the water, not just handicap. I have also used one to completly destory the HYDRS squad (Hertfordshire Youth Dinghy Racing Squad) and lapping them all apart from one laser. |
Posted By: carshalton fc
Date Posted: 29 May 05 at 11:19am
i think the comet due's are horible boat they are out dated and wont last long!! aj3001 what u mean is if you can sail that u can sail about anything which is equaly slow!! about the pico thing maybe you should try hiking out!!------------- International 14 1503 |
Posted By: redback
Date Posted: 30 May 05 at 12:01pm
| Paul you are a big bloke to be sailing small dinghies. Try the bigger ones, but that advice about joining a club and sailing what they sail is very good advice. |
Posted By: Rupert
Date Posted: 01 Jun 05 at 2:28pm
| Whitefriars SC (lake 26 cotswold water park) has a try the sport day this saturday (10.30 kick off, till about 4pm). We will have Comet Trios out, and various other boats, so you would be able to see if any take your fancy. You never know, the club might too! If you can't make it, come down any Sunday, and you'd be able to chat about the various boats you see, and probebly get to sail many of them. you can find how to get there on http://www.wfsc.co.uk - www.wfsc.co.uk , or via the clubs link on Y&Y, I think. |
Posted By: Jack Sparrow
Date Posted: 01 Jun 05 at 5:45pm
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Phantom would suit you just right, might be a bit tricky to start with but
so will most boats of any performance. And if you buy a slow tub you'll just want to sell it in 6 months. Might as well go for what suits you and learn to sail it in less wind to start with. Here's the web page; http://www.phantomsailing.clara.net/ - http:// www.phantomsailing.clara.net/ This is what the Y&Y page says: YachtsandYachting.com Phantom Class Page A one-design high-performance singlehander, with a deep 'V' bow and a flat run aft to plane easily. A high power to weight ratio - but stable and responsive. Best suited to those over 80 kg, which means you can enjoy your curry and beer and still win the race! This is a strong and developing class. ------------- http://www.uk3-7class.org/index.html" rel="nofollow - Farr 3.7 Class Website https://www.facebook.com/groups/1092602470772759/" rel="nofollow - Farr 3.7 Building - Facebook Group |
Posted By: Stefan Lloyd
Date Posted: 02 Jun 05 at 7:42am
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And this club sails Phantoms. http://www.cotswoldsc.com/ - http://www.cotswoldsc.com/
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Posted By: NickA
Date Posted: 03 Jun 05 at 4:11pm
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But you can't put 3 people in a phantom surely? Certainly not if they want something to do other than ride in it. The RS Vareo is a good choice if you don't want to trapeze (huge fun though it is). Raceable by one, sailable by two and possibly workable by three (one on tiller and one on each rope??). Growing in popularity at my club and even beginning to take over the laser as single hander of choice, due to the joy of an extra sail.
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Posted By: carshalton fc
Date Posted: 03 Jun 05 at 4:13pm
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yer i dont think you could have 3 adults but it there is a pic on the rs website of a vareo with 2 kids and an adult in the boat!! ------------- International 14 1503 |
Posted By: aj3001
Date Posted: 06 Jun 05 at 9:41pm
How is the comet duo slow? Give it the same PY Rating as a Fireball and I can still beat a laser fleet in it, if its slow then you really cant race can you? |
Posted By: Mike278
Date Posted: 06 Jun 05 at 11:14pm
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ok, a comet duo uses a yardstick of 1175, compared to a lasers 1078 and a fireballs 982, so i think that this makes it slow, but if sailed well could beat a fireball on handicap ------------- Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night. |
Posted By: carshalton fc
Date Posted: 07 Jun 05 at 10:22am
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to be honist i wouldnt want to sail a comet due!! the comet due is old and not fast!!! i would much rather race an oppie all day than sit in the comet due for 10 minutes!! dont take it pursonally aj3001 ------------- International 14 1503 |
Posted By: sailor.jon
Date Posted: 07 Jun 05 at 10:35am
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comet due ? the 'O' is at the other end of the keyboard mate ------------- Jon Vortex 1169 http://www.yorkshiredales.sc/ - Yorkshire Dales Sailing Club |