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Topper Sport 14 - any good? |
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49erGBR735HSC
Really should get out more Joined: 30 Mar 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1991 |
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Quote Reply
Topic: Topper Sport 14 - any good? Posted: 23 Mar 06 at 9:57pm |
Not sailed one before but heard off of other instructors that the foils are too small for the boat, the rig is over-powered and the build quality is pretty poor. The centre I worked at replaced them for 2000s. Might still be worth looking into as they are fairly cheap.
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Philsy
Far too distracted from work Joined: 12 Sep 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 344 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 24 Mar 06 at 7:24am |
Thanks for the feedback. Generally not looking good for a Sport 14...
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Philsy
Far too distracted from work Joined: 12 Sep 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 344 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 24 Mar 06 at 9:08am |
Oh, although I'm opening myself up for a massive piss take, one thing that
puts me off the L2000 is the fact you can't use an outboard with it. With two whinging sprogs in-tow, a motor could be useful on those days the wind drops and stomachs are empty. Sad, I know, but you'll all be there one day! Edited by Philsy |
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Olly4088
Far too distracted from work Joined: 10 Jan 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 424 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 24 Mar 06 at 12:35pm |
I heard that with every outboard you buy nowadays you get a free picnic hamper so you and use you boat as a floating picnic table
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Phantom 1298
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Philsy
Far too distracted from work Joined: 12 Sep 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 344 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 24 Mar 06 at 12:44pm |
[QUOTE=Olly4088] I heard that with every outboard you buy nowadays you
get a free picnic hamper so you and use you boat as a floating picnic table[/ QUOTE] In which case the kids can eat on the go and we'd not need an outboard. |
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Prince Buster
Really should get out more Joined: 15 Dec 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1146 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 24 Mar 06 at 5:08pm |
thats just way too much information now TT But thats how i used to have to tough it! Weren't we a hardy bunch back then
But as for Philsy......i think you should go ahead and get a sport 14 cos they're cheap, easy to handle, probably quite fun, and good for family sailing. If thats what you want to do then i reckon the Sport would be fine. |
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international moth - "what what?"
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Philsy
Far too distracted from work Joined: 12 Sep 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 344 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 24 Mar 06 at 5:11pm |
Dry suits eh? We used to have to sail naked and thank our parents for the
privilege.... Still, nice to see some positive comments on the Sport 14 |
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timnoyce
Really should get out more Joined: 05 Aug 04 Location: Hampshire Online Status: Offline Posts: 1991 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 24 Mar 06 at 5:23pm |
I've not sailed a sport 14 for ages, but I have sailed one... Was at sunsail a few years back and we didn't have any problem with it. If all you want is a cheap boat to sail with the family then I'd say its fine. Size wise i would have thought it would be a bit cramped for 4 people, but then again you get what you pay for. My uncle has a Laser Stratos which is ideal but, i would guess, way over your price limit (outboard mounting point and a blisteringly fast boat on handicap!) Have a go, if you like it, go for it!
Just remember, a boat is only generally considered bad when compared with something better! So if you don't need the best, more often than not, it will be more than good enough!! |
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BEARFOOT DESIGN
Cherub 2648 - Comfortably Numb |
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Granite
Far too distracted from work Joined: 12 May 04 Location: Scotland Online Status: Offline Posts: 476 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 24 Mar 06 at 6:57pm |
I worked at a sailing school that had a sport 14 and I thought it was rubish.
We broke a couple of rudders in the first few months gave up on the topper replacements and made a wooden blade for it. the rest of the build quality was also poor the hull leaked badly. The sails were crap it had a laminate jib which destroyed itself first time out in any wind. We generaly sailed it with 420 sails as they seemed to work better when it was windy. the hull seemed very sensitive to heel and would steer the boat wildly if you let it heel at all down wind making it scary for beginners. the cockpit would fill up with water in light winds if you had three adults in is because the false floor was too low and after a capsize the cockpit would be V full and take ages to empty still it is better than the sport 16. |
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If it doesn't break it's too heavy; if it does it wasn't built right
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damp_freddie
Far too distracted from work Joined: 20 Oct 05 Location: Aruba Online Status: Offline Posts: 339 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 24 Mar 06 at 8:27pm |
Unfortunetly, these and the 16s replaced the trusty wayfarer for novice
teaching. To give topper their fair go on two handers, the topaz is
good for two kids or VERY small adults and is bomb proof..
My ideal route for someone with family... wayfarer laser 2000 tasar 29er |
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