First twin wire boat

They weigh 160 kg between them - hardly light weight! As for cost, you'll be able to pick one up for less than the depriciation on a new boat. Agree you won't get the same design advantages, but for a blast, it would hardly matter that much. After all, 5000's were regarded as fine boats for several years, and offered something pretty radical for the time - at least in the northern hemisphere.

I would have thought that an older I14 would be the ticket, so long as it was built after 1992ish (before that they were horrid).

A lot of boat for the money, great for learning to sail a powerful twin-wire boat.

Edited by Skiffybob

at 160kg's you are at the top end of the weight range for the 800, but not too heavy. This year I came second at the 800 nationals and me and my crew weighed in at about 165kg's. I also build them too.

Hi K-700

I was  in your situation a few years ago, and concluded to go for a 5000. I have no regrets - I still have my  boat and love it immensiely.

Okay - they're considered older boats these days but there is a lot going for them.

They still offer incrediable performance and the helm when on the  wire is well balanced and great to steer.

They are cheap -  look at the forum (link below)  there's a few for sale at the moment  - normally going for between £1200-2000 - so excellent value. And there are some excellent specimens for sale at the moment too!  Plus they'll not  depreciate, much if  at all any more. 

They are relavtively heavy, but they are big amd actually  stable boats when  compared to  something like a  int14, 49er etc. I frequently  take novices or fairly inexperienced people  out - something I definitely wouldn't  do on a 49er.

They are indestrutable, so  shouldn't need to much  maintainence. and though no longer being built parts are still available (all parts are either: Proctor, Hyde, Laser or Holt) , so you should have no  problem with  maintenance.

One advantage say to something like a  cherub or  a 14, they are still  one-design.  So  if you wish to race, you'll have  competition.  they too have weight-equalisation system - infact I believe it was the first mass-production boat to have such.

The class  association though  not large, is definitely active.  There are training and  races meets being  planned already for 2009.  In fact  we had 7 boats out at Rutland  for some exciting sailing this  weekend past.

To be honest,  your alternatives would  be an BOSS or a RS800.  The 800 is a great  design,  Phil Morrison who designed the the 5000, subsequently designed the 800, so it stands that it ought to be  better.  They are though more  expensive and for £4000 you'll only pick up one of the older  boats.

The BOSS -  from what I gather sails very well, and there was an excellent  comparison between it and the 5000 a couple years ago in the  DSM.  Parts might be harder to find, certainly there are less of them around.

For 5000 information - check out the 5000forum.:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/5000classassociation/

- feel free to ask questions etc. If potentially  buying a boat - ask to see if  someone can  give you a test-drive. I know some of the chaps will only be delighted to assist. 

All the best,

  fin

£4k Should buy you a Morrison 10 or B3 i14, which in the right hands is still quick.  It is worth pointing out the massive learning curve at keeping one up right, from what i understand an 800 is easier.  If i were you thats what i would purchase, big fleets, good residuals (relatively) big professionally run association.  They have just changed the deck mold so there could be some cheaper mk1's floating around now.