Any Suggestions?

   Hello Ian, Jim, Servus, Harry & Dave!
Having crewed in the Cherub nationals earlier in the year and seeing the Int Moths flying around they definitely look great fun! (But I do think a bit out of my league at the moment!!)
I sail at Cardiff - I'm a member of Cardiff Bay Yacht Club and they have RYA courses there and one of my friends is a 'teacher' - although it was him who at a presentation evening drunkenly suggested a Laser as they have a lot at the club. They are a friendly bunch and do hold a lot of races in Cardiff Bay - although the setup isn't perfect for dinghys it's close and it has water and (very variable) wind!
... So I'm kind of still in the dinghy sport (I am also the sailing Rep of Wales University Royal Navy Unit) - I've taken some people out in our Bosun dinghies a couple of times to teach them the basics of sailing but I think it's a lack of confidence and I really don't know my own ability - I need to get out on the water and practice (which is hard when you don't have your own boat and rely on others to sail).
Anyway, I'm definitely not rushing into any decisions and am noting all your suggestions down with the pros and cons. I think I'm going to have to get my contact book out and try to get some test sails of different dinghies! The Dinghy Show also sounds like a good opportunity to see and compare the different boats.
Thanks for the advice it's much appreciated
Liz

Author	Message / View First Unread Post Share Topic Printable Version Delicious Digg Facebook Furl Google MySpace Newsvine reddit StumbleUpon Translate Twitter Windows Live Yahoo Bookmarks Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic
LizM Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 29 Dec 04 Online Status: Offline Posts: 9	Post Options Post Reply Quote LizM Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Any Suggestions? Posted: 29 Dec 04 at 11:01pm
	Hello Ian, Jim, Servus, Harry & Dave! Having crewed in the Cherub nationals earlier in the year and seeing the Int Moths flying around they definitely look great fun! (But I do think a bit out of my league at the moment!!) I sail at Cardiff - I'm a member of Cardiff Bay Yacht Club and they have RYA courses there and one of my friends is a 'teacher' - although it was him who at a presentation evening drunkenly suggested a Laser as they have a lot at the club. They are a friendly bunch and do hold a lot of races in Cardiff Bay - although the setup isn't perfect for dinghys it's close and it has water and (very variable) wind! ... So I'm kind of still in the dinghy sport (I am also the sailing Rep of Wales University Royal Navy Unit) - I've taken some people out in our Bosun dinghies a couple of times to teach them the basics of sailing but I think it's a lack of confidence and I really don't know my own ability - I need to get out on the water and practice (which is hard when you don't have your own boat and rely on others to sail). Anyway, I'm definitely not rushing into any decisions and am noting all your suggestions down with the pros and cons. I think I'm going to have to get my contact book out and try to get some test sails of different dinghies! The Dinghy Show also sounds like a good opportunity to see and compare the different boats. Thanks for the advice it's much appreciated Liz
	... Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck. - Dalai Lama...

LizM Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 29 Dec 04 Online Status: Offline Posts: 9	Post Options Post Reply Quote LizM Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 29 Dec 04 at 11:05pm
	Thanks Sailor Girl! I don't know where my limited dinghy knowledge has come from but prior to today I'd never heard of a Byte! It does look like a nice boat though and is definitley high up on the list of possibilities - thanks for the offer of more advice!
	... Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck. - Dalai Lama...

Brian Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 27 Sep 04 Location: Ireland Online Status: Offline Posts: 503	Post Options Post Reply Quote Brian Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 29 Dec 04 at 11:05pm
	u ignored the live in Byte expert?

Brian Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 27 Sep 04 Location: Ireland Online Status: Offline Posts: 503	Post Options Post Reply Quote Brian Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 29 Dec 04 at 11:06pm
	o wait, we both typed at the same time. soz

LizM Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 29 Dec 04 Online Status: Offline Posts: 9	Post Options Post Reply Quote LizM Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 29 Dec 04 at 11:08pm
	lol! yeah we typed at the same time!!
	... Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck. - Dalai Lama...

Harry44981! Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 26 Aug 04 Online Status: Offline Posts: 736	Post Options Post Reply Quote Harry44981! Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 30 Dec 04 at 9:47am
	I would say you're too light to sail a byte competitvely without struggling upwind in a blow unless your fitness is very good- but it sounds like it would be perfect for the level of sailing you're looking at.

jeffers Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 29 Mar 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 3048	Post Options Post Reply Quote jeffers Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 30 Dec 04 at 11:43am
	Hi Liz, If you get Y&Y they did a review on the new Byte very recently. I believe it was Christina Bassdone that did the sailing bit. Does look impressive and the rig looks very controllable and is 'self depowering' thanks to the fancy new carbon top section. I would say it is definitely more for you than any of the Laser range. I am told that at 75kg I am ideal for a full rig Laser inland or a radial in waves. Not sure what the waves are like in Cardiff bay but I know a lad who is a member down there, his name is Rory Johnson, he sails a Laser and is a Uni in Cardiff. I would say try and get a test sail in as many different types of boat as you can before you decide and then go for the one you like the best and that is sailed where you sail (handy for set up and technique) Regards, Paul
	Paul ---------------------- D-Zero GBR 74

Blobby Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 07 May 04 Location: Australia Online Status: Offline Posts: 779	Post Options Post Reply Quote Blobby Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 30 Dec 04 at 1:57pm
	Bytes are fine for you - they are used in Singapore as the next step up from Oppies and the average weight of the lasses sailing them here is about 40Kg and they aren't slow...

Stefan Lloyd Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 03 Aug 04 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1599	Post Options Post Reply Quote Stefan Lloyd Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 30 Dec 04 at 2:54pm
	What's the average wind strength in Singapore?

redback Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 16 Mar 04 Location: Tunbridge Wells Online Status: Offline Posts: 1502	Post Options Post Reply Quote redback Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 30 Dec 04 at 5:03pm
	I'll just add a few observations. The Europe is a real throroughbred and with the right rig you can make it fit your weight but it all costs a lot of money. Soemone like Shirley Robertson was happy to spend enough money to try several rigs until she had a rig which suited her weight and style. Most people can't afford that and when they buy a 2nd hand boat they gennerally have live with what they get. If you could find a boat with the right rig I'd go for it because they are lovely boats. Alternatively you'll have to have something out of a box, ie Laser or Byte. The new Byte rig sounds good but are there other boats to race against - probably not? I reckon you'd learn more and have more fun if you sail a boat that others sail at your club - regardless of your weight (as long as you don't go silly, ie don't buy a Finn).