Laurent Giles 'Jolly Boat' Exeter |
29er GBR 074 Tynemouth |
J24 (Sail No. 4239) Dartmouth |
List classes of boat for sale |
Two big blokes looking for a dinghy |
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bigwavedave
Really should get out more Joined: 04 Jun 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 944 |
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Topic: Two big blokes looking for a dinghy Posted: 05 Apr 05 at 7:50pm |
59er? Don't know much about it I seem to remember that it has a minimum crew weight of 150kg.
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redback
Really should get out more Joined: 16 Mar 04 Location: Tunbridge Wells Online Status: Offline Posts: 1502 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 05 Apr 05 at 11:23pm |
Yes you're heavy for a Laser2 but be prepared to sail something more tippy. A Laser2 is a stable boat! 400s are beautiful boats and somewaht more sophisticated than a Laser2 (but then aren't most) and although you are heavy for it you'd have a great deal of fun in one. The Osprey suggestion is a good one, fast, good weight carrier and temendous in waves, but aren't they made of wood? |
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Blobby
Really should get out more Joined: 07 May 04 Location: Australia Online Status: Offline Posts: 779 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 06 Apr 05 at 7:05am |
59er is a great boat to sail and should cope with 180Kg. My experience of the Bethwaite boats (mainly Laser II & Tasar) is that the minimum weight they claim is optimistic and you are often better off near the top of their estimated range - especially if you are not in peak physical condition. I sailed a 59er at SkiffAsia (sorry to keep dropping that name in...) and between us we were 150Kg and were fully powered up upwind in about 8 knots. Downwind the boat is effortlessly fast and you have to be very sensitive to the rudder going into a gybe - you only realise how fast you are going when you move the rudder 5 degrees and the boat turns so fast you have capsized before you know it! But, a sensitive touch on the rudder and it is very sweet. The assy kite is beautiful to handle too. It is simpler than the RS400 kite because you don't have wing wang lines or separate pole and halyard lines. It also feels much more stable than a Laser II because you don't have to keep standing up all the time to play with the spinnaker pole. The rig is very automatic with just minor sheeting and helm adjustments needed to keep it flat and moving. Downside inthe UK I guess is that there aren't many second hand boats or fleets...so you could be lonely sailing it. And like to RS400 it is a hiking boat so you need good abs to get the best from it. If you have the cash to buy one then it is definitely worth a test sail. |
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Pierre
Really should get out more Joined: 15 Mar 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1532 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 06 Apr 05 at 8:49am |
Redback, some Ospreys are wood some are GRP (lovely GRP one going up North at the moment). New FRP ones being made this year. In fact look under "for sale" on www.ospreysailing.org.uk
Edited by Pierre |
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tgruitt
Really should get out more Joined: 02 Dec 04 Online Status: Offline Posts: 2479 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 06 Apr 05 at 12:19pm |
could go for a merlin rocket, would be a little bit heavy but devestating in a breeze, fairly responisve but you will get used to it. Very beautiful boats, soooo much better looking than and RS rubbish or and of the bethwaite 9ers. 14ft long, fairly large rig, decent spinny! and away you go! go to www.merlinrocket.co.uk here is a photo of one I took at the weekend at the salcombe merlin ST open
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Needs to sail more...
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Kaos
Newbie Joined: 05 Apr 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 4 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 06 Apr 05 at 12:24pm |
Wow, thanks everyone for the overwhelming response I wish I had asked earlier! Some extra points that may influence the decision - we sail inland Chew Valley Lake (south of Bristol) - so no real waves, although it does get a fairly good amount of wind (I guess as it's not to far away from the Severn estuary). We really don't want a boat that is a lot of hassle to maintain - the free time we have we want to be on the water, rather than sanding / filling / painting / varnishing! Also we would prefer a boat that's fairly easy to get in and out of the water, and no large keels to damage! There is a large fleet of Flying Fifteens at the club (and a couple for sale, which are pretty cheap), but these don't really fall into the criteria above. Also this boat seems to becoming less and less popular, and although we probably will never be competing, I don't want to end up with a boat that I cannot get rid of. We did actually look at a beautiful Merlin Rocket when we bought the Laser II, but we decided that we really wanted something that was low maintenance. I know that there are far too many criterion here, but I think the maintenance issue, with our combined weight will probably limit the selection quite a bit. Once again, many thanks for all the postings up to now - it's really been very useful... Paul |
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Stefan Lloyd
Really should get out more Joined: 03 Aug 04 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1599 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 06 Apr 05 at 1:05pm |
There are some plastic ones. However 28 stone is really very heavy for a Merlin these days. I once sailed mine with that weight in the boat and it felt incredibly sticky; it just wouldn't go. Competitive teams are usually 20-22 stone. Interestingly, 20-odd years ago heavyweights were competitive but increasing rig refinement has meant lightweights benefit downwind and in the light stuff but can now also keep the boat flat upwind in a blow and so gain all round. |
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Kaos
Newbie Joined: 05 Apr 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 4 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 06 Apr 05 at 1:20pm |
Yes, but from what I remember there is a huge variation in Merlin Rockets, and we thought we could find one that suited our weight.... but then all that maintenance put us off. I didn't realise that you could get plastic ones... Anyway I suppose that's academic if not suited to our combined weight. Cheers Paul |
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catmandoo
Really should get out more Joined: 16 Mar 04 Online Status: Offline Posts: 545 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 06 Apr 05 at 1:44pm |
I sailed a Hurricane 5.9 sx at 28 to 30 stone all up, got away with it at times too! ideal weight about 24 stones , Would thoroughly recommend a look ,
Just poppin in my bunker to avoid mono flak !
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Stefan Lloyd
Really should get out more Joined: 03 Aug 04 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1599 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 06 Apr 05 at 3:37pm |
Not really, at least if you are talking about reasonably modern (and competitive) hulls. There are only three basic hull shapes that have been built over the last 15 years or so (with minor variations on the theme) and none of them are weight-carriers. |
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