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First boat for tall new sailor with dodgy bacK |
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tink
Really should get out more Joined: 23 Jan 16 Location: North Hants Online Status: Offline Posts: 788 |
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Topic: First boat for tall new sailor with dodgy bacK Posted: 15 Aug 21 at 4:50pm |
Thanks for the update, we rarely get them. It has its distractors but you can’t go wrong with a Laser. I don’t think I ever kneel in mine, 5 days sailing in the last 7 all sorts of conditions and no grazes or bruises on my knees.
Have fun
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Tink
https://tinkboats.com http://proasail.blogspot.com |
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Clive99
Newbie Joined: 23 Aug 20 Online Status: Offline Posts: 4 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 15 Aug 21 at 3:44pm |
By way of an update after trying Picos, Fevas and a short go in a Solo I settled for a Laser. I always thought the Laser looked incredibly uncomfortable but after moaning about kneeling to someone with a Laser they mentioned they rarely had to kneel so I gave it a go. I find it simple, compact and fast enough to be exhilarating and the wide side decks do mean I can perch half on in light winds to avoid kneeling. Enough cockpit depth and the boat is light. Currently renting one of the club boats but in the process of getting an old hull brought back to life with new rigging which should hopefully serve me well as a first boat.
As many advised on here try as many boats as you can! Thanks for all the advice. |
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423zero
Really should get out more Joined: 08 Jan 15 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 3406 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 02 Jun 21 at 6:46pm |
Doesn't make it any less valuable, once a thread has gone a month its forgotten, plus newbies need the help.
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Robert
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davidyacht
Really should get out more Joined: 29 Mar 05 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1345 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 02 Jun 21 at 3:42pm |
Oops I said much the same last year!
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Happily living in the past
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davidyacht
Really should get out more Joined: 29 Mar 05 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1345 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 02 Jun 21 at 3:41pm |
Think the problem with boats that are lighter than the Solo is that they get to be quite tippy. The Solo is fine to lug around the Boatpark ... we have two significant steep ramps and with an ally trolley it is fine.
I think the Solo is a good club boat and has good manners. BUT you really need some technique to make tacking comfortable, this might include letting off the kicker and perfecting your timing, to avoid standing up before the boom crosses the boat. As previous poster says, you don’t need the excessive rake that some of the championship sailors are using. Which ever boat you choose, some fitness training to stabilise your core and stretching to improve flexibility will make dinghy sailing a much more enjoyable experience
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Happily living in the past
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snowleopard
Groupie Joined: 02 Oct 17 Location: Cornwall Online Status: Offline Posts: 66 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 02 May 21 at 9:47am |
I thought I'd chip in as I've gone through the same thought processes. I used to have Lasers and gave up on that because I'm a bit too inflexible to get under the low boom (I'm the wrong size of 70). I sailed a Finn for a while but gave up on that because I still had to kneel when tacking and it was way too heavy to pull up the slip on my own. In the end, after great amounts of research, I got a 420. I'll be able to take the grandkids out once the lockdown is over but for now I can sail it solo. I can tack and gybe without kneeling and, when the wind is heavier I sail without jib and balance the helm by bringing the centreboard back a bit. It has a nice deep cockpit and rolled side deck so nice and comfortable.
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One hull good, two hulls better.
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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: 25 Aug 20 at 4:25pm |
Solo is not that heavy at 70kg, only 10 kg more than the pico. There are plenty of old guys sailing them who seem to manage well enough. It would be my suggestion too if there is a fleet at your club.
I didn't like the Supernova (or the Laser) but many do. A bit further left field is the Blaze, my ex supernova mate bought one 'cos he has a dodgy knee and loves it. Better suited to open water but said mate races on a pond and does ok. It does involve some kneeling but good knee pads take care of that for most and it's much kinder to them when hiking.
WRT racing, beginner or not join in, even though you'll find yourself following the fleet round you will learn much more quickly when you have to sail around a course and tack/gybe at the marks rather than when you feel like it. And it's great fun, hang back a little at the start, keep out of the way at the marks and know the basic rules (i.e. don't give way when you are not keep clear boat unless you shout loud and clear that you are going to, it just confuses people). You'll soon find other sailors giving you encouragement and tips. |
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Spice 346 "Flat Broke"
Blaze 671 "supersonic soap dish" |
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davidyacht
Really should get out more Joined: 29 Mar 05 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1345 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 25 Aug 20 at 9:06am |
Bit left field, but how about a Laser Radial or Standard for a while ... this would allow the OP to get to grips with a singlehander, which whilst quite frisky is easy to recover from a capsize, precious little devaluation of an older one and simple rig, then with improved skills move onto the Aero or Solo.
I enjoy my Solo, but there are very few capsize situations that do not involve a swim around the boat to the centreboard, then a massive reach to get to the centreboard, to get it up. That being said, I think that the low boom is over exagerated, an alloy trolley makes a Solo easy on the shore and righting lines help getting it up. If his local club sail Solos one would expect good support from club.
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Happily living in the past
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ColPrice2002
Far too distracted from work Joined: 25 Nov 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 222 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 25 Aug 20 at 8:06am |
If you have back problems, avoid the Europe.
They're lovely dinghies, but I found I had to kiss the floor to tack... The boom is very low! Locally, our Solo fleet is quite strong - probably a combination of aging sailors and a dinghy with a bit more room for the knees. If you're starting out, then something like the Mirror will give you a lot of experience without having to go into the complexities of sail controls at the same time. For example, my Solo has kicker, outhaul, Cunningham control line brought to the side deck and they were all used on Sunday. Start with a simpler rig, you can always sell and buy another dinghy as you get more experienced. In the old days (pre covid) you could often have a sail in another club member's dinghy for a pint at the bar! Don't be afraid to ask if you could try a dinghy. Last thought, you may need to try the "superman" technique for tacking if the boom is low. Rather than step into the centre of the dinghy facing forward, start the tack, as the boom starts to come over cross the boat facing across the dinghy (you'll duck automatically). Clin |
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Clive99
Newbie Joined: 23 Aug 20 Online Status: Offline Posts: 4 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 25 Aug 20 at 7:36am |
Lots to think on here thanks all.
In terms of competitiveness I hadn’t really thought about racing as I’ll be a complete novice. I was thinking of recreational sailing but going at a reasonable pace. I did wonder with this approach whether in time sailing round the same lake could get a bit boring and that at that point I could try racing. I think I’m after the best compromise between the following: 1. Weight of boat to be pulled up the slipway 2. Comfort (deep cockpit and high boom) 3. Some level of performance and excitement from the boat. I imagine a Solo probably does comfort and performance well but is a bit heavy. (I’ll just need try one when I can to determine the sensible max weight boat I should go for). Yes I think I’ll avoid going to the Mirror end of the spectrum as whilst these are light and probably comfortable I would guess from the sail size that it is going to be slow. The Europe looks quite interesting actually in terms of weight/comfort/performance or alternatively maybe a Streaker is something I should consider. Aero looks very fast and is lovely and light but maybe lacking in comfort...? I think Solo if the weight is ok failing that a Streaker or Europe perhaps (but there don’t seem to be many used ones for sale unfortunately... |
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