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Getting back into sailing... |
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Topic: Getting back into sailing... Posted: 23 Apr 17 at 9:17am |
I'm thinking about getting back into dinghy sailing after about 7 years off and am not really sure what to get boat-wise...
The last boat I owned/sailed was an RS600 (with a limited amount of success, admittedly!). Loved the performance and thrills but got frustrated by the boat quite a bit. I'd like something with that level off performance but a bit more friendly than the 600. I'm 31 and about 90kg and in good shape, planning to be sailing inland most of the time...what boats would you guys recommend looking at?
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JimC
Really should get out more Joined: 17 May 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 6649 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 23 Apr 17 at 9:29am |
The dreaded Aero is surprisingly brisk. Its obviously not as fast as the 600, but the light weight makes it feel quicker than it is. There are only a very limited number of singlehanders that are genuinely as fast as the 600, and none are really that much more suited for confined spaces. But when you say inland do you mean Grafham Water sized or Frensham Pond sized venues?
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Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 23 Apr 17 at 10:35am |
I was toying with Bewl so a reasonable amount of space.
I've just noticed that Whitstable takes about the same time give or take so could consider there too if there's something that needs a bit more space!
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jeffers
Really should get out more Joined: 29 Mar 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 3048 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 23 Apr 17 at 10:37am |
Water size definitely makes a difference. At 90KG a Phantom is pretty swift, but you are towards the lighter end of their weight range IIRC, as is an RS300.
As Jim has mentioned the 'dreaded' Aero I will plug the D-Zero and at 90KG you are well in the weight range that has shown to be competitive across the wind range. Quick enough on open water and nimble enough on the smaller gravel pits. Drop me a PM if you would like to know more or get a test sail. |
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Paul
---------------------- D-Zero GBR 74 |
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Sam.Spoons
Really should get out more Joined: 07 Mar 12 Location: Manchester UK Online Status: Offline Posts: 3398 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 23 Apr 17 at 10:55am |
Guessing that you're after a singlehander I'd look at Phantom or Supernova if you want to race to win, Blaze if you want fast but not too difficult to sail and Solo or L@ser if you want class racing. Finn if you want something more traditional.
I'm 75kg and bought a Spice 9 years ago (at 55 years old) for my 'return-to-dinghies' from Raceboards boat. Lack of regular crew led me to buy a Blaze last autumn and I'm loving it, quite manageable and (I think) competitive inland but better suited to open water.
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Spice 346 "Flat Broke"
Blaze 671 "supersonic soap dish" |
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G.R.F.
Really should get out more Joined: 10 Aug 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 4028 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 23 Apr 17 at 12:20pm |
Contender and come down to Hythe, more friendly than Bewl or Whitstable and at 31, you're not too late to become a proper sailor.
Edited by G.R.F. - 23 Apr 17 at 12:23pm |
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jeffers
Really should get out more Joined: 29 Mar 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 3048 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 23 Apr 17 at 12:29pm |
I'd agree with that. The Blaze tacks relatively slowly so tacking on every shift on a small inland puddle isnt really an option. Much better on more open water though and sheet loads are now a lot lower with aft sheeting.
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Paul
---------------------- D-Zero GBR 74 |
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Sam.Spoons
Really should get out more Joined: 07 Mar 12 Location: Manchester UK Online Status: Offline Posts: 3398 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 23 Apr 17 at 2:37pm |
Sheet loads on the Blaze with aft sheeting are super low compared to the Spice (centre mainsheet and a 12M FB mainsail).
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Spice 346 "Flat Broke"
Blaze 671 "supersonic soap dish" |
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turnturtle
Really should get out more Joined: 05 Dec 14 Online Status: Offline Posts: 2538 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 23 Apr 17 at 3:12pm |
RS300 or D-Zero ... check them out. 300 has all the thrills with none of the frustrations of the 600. It'll still bite and make you feel alive though.
A D-Zero feels like a 300 backed off a little- probably nicer in a mixed handicap fleet as it sits in the sweet spot of faster than a Laser but not sub 1000. Edited by turnturtle - 23 Apr 17 at 3:13pm |
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G.R.F.
Really should get out more Joined: 10 Aug 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 4028 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 23 Apr 17 at 5:24pm |
He's young, fit and has trapeze experience, he doesn't want to be pissing about in coffins for the undead, the easier, some would say better option than an RS600 is the Contender is it not and they sail them around here, there's an open meeting going on in Whitstable today I believe. You lot are always cracking on about class racing, there's none on Bewl and Whitstable tends to MPS or Foils I think these days but there are a few Contenders in Kent, sufficient for them to organise local open meetings at least, so that is his best option, it would be my best option if they made one lighter and with a smaller rig.
Edited by G.R.F. - 23 Apr 17 at 5:25pm |
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