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Choose a singlehander

Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: Dinghy classes
Forum Name: Dinghy Yarns...
Forum Discription: Tell us your sailing stories
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=190
Printed Date: 29 Mar 24 at 11:08am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com


Topic: Choose a singlehander
Posted By: Peter V
Subject: Choose a singlehander
Date Posted: 31 Jul 04 at 2:50pm
I am an experienced dinghy sailor, or rather was one. I have sailed Solos, Finns, Starboats on a very high level of competition. (olympics). I have been out of the small boats for 10 years now due to a back problem from sailing Finns with unlimited extra weight. But the blood goes and I want to try again. I am looking for a fast singlehander, but I do not fancy capsizing often. I live in Holland and there are practically no modern sportboats on the water here, so I can't compare. Important is that I am 52 years and 100 kilos heavy. Who can give me a sound piece of advise?



Replies:
Posted By: Garry
Date Posted: 31 Jul 04 at 8:54pm
Sounds like you should try a Solo with a stiff rig!

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Garry

Lark 2252, Contender 298

www.cuckoos.eclipse.co.uk


Posted By: JimC
Date Posted: 02 Aug 04 at 11:39am
The Megabyte is a nice boat to sail, and is supposed to carry weight.


Posted By: Jon Emmett
Date Posted: 03 Aug 04 at 4:16pm

I would suggest which ever boat you have to hike you may have back problems, which need to be addressed with corrective training... Back permitting  my suggestion would be to join the thriving Finn Masters circuit.

Jon



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http://www.amazon.co.uk/Be-Your-Own-Tactics-Coach/dp/0470973218/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1312565831&sr=8-1 -


Posted By: Bally
Date Posted: 05 Aug 04 at 5:20am

How about a Phantom?

I've just bought one and they're no end of fun...

http://www.phantomclass.org.uk/ - http://www.phantomclass.org.uk/



Posted By: Chris 249
Date Posted: 09 Aug 04 at 2:30am

The International Canoe is surprisingly good at handling weight; I think the worlds have been won by guys around 100 kg, with a runner-up at least one year to a 45kg-ish woman. With 17' of waterline and vertical topsides, wetted surface increases very little with weight.

But will you capsize it too often? I don't think so - it seems to me that all that stuff about them being impossible to sail comes about because they look intimidating. Downwind in a breeze, for instance, I'm sure that the IC is easier than a Laser (up till about 22 knots or so windspeed, anyway). The only hard part is tacking in a blow.

The reaction they get is strange....I offered one of my former Laser training partners a go and he backed away, saying he wouldn't be able to handle it. The bizarre thing is that he was the World Youth champ in Lasers and he went on to 18 foot skiffs!

The best thing about the IC for you is that the powerful rig and hull means it can support 100 kg, yet with the plank you won't have to hike too hard. Furthermore, if your back is restricting your mobility they are great IMHO; to tack and gybe you actually stand up, run around the back of the main, reach down only to slide the plank across, then stand up again and walk out along the plank before sitting down. It's not like diving through the little gap on a super-vanged Laser or anything.

Having said all that, I'm assuming that you'll go out and train.....most of the IC guys out here (Australia) have a bit of trouble but they never train and only rarely race. But of coourse your obvious expertise and dedication will count enormously.





Posted By: *GM*
Date Posted: 09 Aug 04 at 10:23am
Or you could save yourself all this walking the plank stuff and buy a singlehanded cat such as a Stealth, Inter 17, Shadow or Hobie FX1!


Posted By: Chris 249
Date Posted: 09 Aug 04 at 10:30am

 

 



Posted By: fizzicist
Date Posted: 09 Aug 04 at 12:51pm

If you want something that will carry weight well, not hurt your back too much and go like stink then I can't recommend an RS300 enough. You will find yourself swimming a lot at first but it's very easy to right with a bouyant mast. Just don't think about sailing it if you sail in an area with regularly flukey winds!

I'm 95 Kgs and have back problems from sailing Lasers for years - I bought the 300 recently and am over the moon with it - it's a fantastic boat and considerably faster than any non trapeze singlehander short of a Canoe or a Moth...



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Not all chemicals are bad. Without chemicals such as hydrogen and
oxygen, for example, there would be no way to make water, a vital
ingredient in beer.


Posted By: Chris _Laser2
Date Posted: 15 Aug 04 at 12:59am
I recomend a Contender.

They can be brought a lot cheaper than the other classes stated and still be competative. They have very active racing cuircits, controlable in a blow, and frightiningly fast on a reach!

The whole trapezing whilst doing everything else can take some geting used to, allow plenty of time for tacks at first! But once you've got the hang of it they are wonderfull boats.

o, and if you get a wooden one, not only will it be faster than most boats, it will also look nicer

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Boatless!


Posted By: Chris Noble
Date Posted: 26 Nov 04 at 8:00pm
id recomend either a solo or perhaps a phantom, its hard to say as it depends really upon your budget

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http://www.noblemarine.co.uk/home.php3?affid=561 - Competitive Boat Insurance From Noble Marine

FOR SALE:

I14 2 Masts 2 poles 3 Booms, Foils Kites/Mains/Jibs too many to list.


Posted By: mittens
Date Posted: 27 Nov 04 at 10:21am
Vandercraft Epoxy Phantom, carbon rig, mylar sail.  Nuff said.



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