Having been distracted by windsurfing for the last few years I'm planning to get back in to sailing having got totally frustrated with a lack of decent windsurfing wind in Sydney. What I'm not sure about is which type of boat to buy.
I'm thinking about going for a single hander for ease of not having to find a crew etc.. I've been tempted by the good old laser option simply because I live on the north shore and the middle harbour laser club is an appealing option for class racing. Beyond that I'm not really sure what good options might be.
I have a fair bit of sailing experience but most of it as a crew on a Laser 4000, RS800 and I14 (although I seemed to do more swimming that sailing on the 14). I'm fairly realistic that I'm not that agile so although the idea of a contender, musto skiff etc are great I just don't think my ability is sufficient not to spend a lot of time swimming or waiting for manageable winds.
Any suggestions beyond Lasers for a reasonably priced single hander for a 80kg bloke?
Thanks!
For class racing it would have to be a Laser though you may be a bit light. Lasers are simply awful to sail, uncomfortable, logs up wind though slippery off wind. Variable build quality, poor fittings and dreadful quality sails. The Finn by comparison is a delight upwind and exciting offwind, fresh days you get those sphincter clenching moments like all singlehanders but at least the fittings are quality and all in the right place. Small fleets and good boats are very expensive. Competition is fierce. You would need to add on 15 kilos too.
Have a look at the Spiral. Similar to a Laser Radial but slightly better layout and sail material choice is free. Good association
Ha ha, a great description of Lasers.... If only all Lasers every made could simply be swapped for RS100s or similar!!
As you say, I think I'm going to struggle with weight for the Finn, I'm as heavy as I've ever been so weight going up is not top of my to do list :)
Looks like the options are pretty limited. Spiral does look like a slightly better layout but I'm not sure it would be worth sacrificing the class sailing for what looks like it would be minimal difference.
I guess I either need to get a whole lot more agile (and probably significantly expand my bank balance!) or settle for a Laser.
Unfortunately the OK is about as fun to sail as a laser, but without the fleet to race against. At 80kg, you could easily and competitively sail any class with a bit of time on the water (includng the Finn).
The bigget question is where is the club you want to call home, if it is Middle Harbor, a Laser is the obvious choice and you will enjoy it as it is a great sailing environment there. If you want to give a Contender a crack, pm me and I am happy to organise a sail for you. Ramona, a trap on an IC?
all this negativity towards the laser ??????
why is the most popular?
"The Laser is one of the most popular single-handed dinghies in the world. By 2010, the number of boats produced was approaching 200,000. A commonly cited reason for its popularity is that it is robust, simple to rig and sail. The Laser also provides very competitive racing due to the very tight class association controls which eliminate differences in hull, sails and equipment."
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laser(dinghy)
horses for courses. but dont knock it, and possibly deter others from trying it.
IMO.
Hi Confused
I have both a Finn and an International Canoe up on the northern beaches of Sydney. I'm passionate about both classes and I'm happy for people to try out both boats.
It all depends on what you want to do with your sailing (I also sail formula boards).
Finns are a glamor to sail and at 80Kg's you would have a ball in Sydney winds but it's a handful once the breeze is up. The IC is my favorite boat for light winds. It is soooo sweet upwind and smokes downwind but for me in my late 40's it's a bit much in a smokin' nor'easter. Way too much hard work but I do love sailing it, you know, when something is bad for you, you you love it so much. If you can windsurf then you can sail an IC, same theory involved with staying out on the plank or hooked into the harness. Anyway, If I can help then I'm out on Pittwater most weekends.
Hope to see you soon...
Jethrow
I should have said too look at my blog for the canoe stuff. www.Jethrowsicpage.blogspot.com. I don't have a Finn blog yet 
you mention weight problems for lasers and then go onto finns? Finns reccommended weight is more than a laser! And they are ridiculously expensive, even more ridiculous than lasers! (and that is pretty ridiculous). I think you'd be better off getting a laser than a finn, especially if fleet sizes play a factor in your decision. If you struggle with the laser you can always go a radial rig.
I know you said singlehander but you could always try and crew on something fast but not quite as wet as the I14. Not sure what fireball fleets are like there, but if there are any they sound like they'd do you well. Or Cherubs.
Not sure what is around sydney so I'm only guessing
Thank you all for your replies, great to get a better feel for what my options are. As I see it now those options are:
Laser - good class racing but perhaps not the most satisfying boat to sail
Int. Canoe - I like swimming, there is just a limit to the amont of swimming I want to do!
Contender - As the Int. Canoe
Moth - as Int. Canoe and Contender
Finn - I'm too much of a lightweight, need to eat more pies!
RS100 - Big $$!!!
OK - Potentially better than the Laser but miss out on the class racing
Hmm, where to go now! I must admit I'm swaying towards a laser at the moment, partly due to lack of weight for some others and partly for the class racing since non of the other options are sounding really appealing or realistic.
Is it just me or is there a gap in the market for a more flexible single hander - maybe the single hander version of the RS500?
Thanks again.
Have you considered a cat?
Great thrill per $ value.
A-class if you want to spend big, Taipan medium (plus sail with or without crew) or Mosquito. Two hander Hobies or Nacras for any budget. Can be a physically more comfortable sail then hiking on a mono
Why is it that people think a Contender is so hard to sail? Sure they are a challenging boat to get the best performance out of, as is any boat. But to simply keep it upright it is no more challenging than a laser and a **** load more fun.
"Be careful of choosing a class by the number of starters in major regattas or clubs. Even the Laser titles don't have the numbers they used to. The Jervis Bay regatta recently had about 35 Spirals, 8 Finns, one Contender, if there were Lasers there I didn't notice."
You didnt look too hard there? At Jervis Bay there were 19 spirals, 6 finns, 3 contenders, 6 NS14's, 17 Tasars, 1 505, 2 sharpies, 1 f11, 1 laser radial and 2 B14's. Was a great weekend and fun was had by all.
The Saber is about as popular as the minnow in NSW, there are one or two about but the class is strongest in Victoria where the teens and young guys not ready to step up in competition in a laser who are under 70kg have great fun in them, not realy a suitable choice for an adult male who has sailed skiffs.
would have to agree with Brett, having sailed skiffs you wont get a thrill out of sabres.
Confused, in a couple of weeks SLMASC is holding the annual Single Handed Regatta. Would recommend coming down one day on either the 30th or 31st of October, bring a wetsuit and a life jacket/boots if you have them and talk to the guys who are sailing the various classes. I am sure you will get offers to jump on and have a go. From current interest lasers, finns, international canoes, oks, contenders, impulses, moths and spirals will all be there in one place. Around 80 boats are expected.
I have been holding off with a comment and while I love sailing including windsurfing - kite surfing offers the maximum all round buzz and convienience.
I will not go on but if you want to know more I will respond
Fair point about kitesurfing which I've started to d a bit of and love it. However, the problem is the same as windsurfing - I'm generally tied to weekends and the odd evening and so can't get out whenever the wind is blowing. There just doesn't seem to be that many wind/kitesurf winds that I can make the most of, a boat will mean I can get out in much lighter winds.
Starting to feel slightly tempted by a contender. I did have one for a few months, bought it for GBP175, sailed it about three times but was spending a lot of time on double handers so never really figured out if I could sail it or not.
Not sure if you will find a Contender for 175 pound out here but there are some cheap boats available around NSW (Under $1000).
With the nationals in NSW this year and the worlds scheduled for Belmont in January 2014 the class will be growing again as people try them and find out they are a fun and rewarding dinghy to sail. If you can sail a laser, it is only the time to get used to trap and you are off, weights range from 70kg up to 115kg with 85 to 90 considered to optimum.
The contenders will be at Speers Point regatta this weekend and the Single Handed Regatta at Sunshine the following weekend is anybody wants a sail on one and a poke around.
Thank you to everybody who has suggested options here, much appreciated. I'm thinking either a laser for class racing or a contender to improve my swimming seem like the way forward at the moment. I must admit both the RS vareo and the RS 100 are also appealing but since I'd have to import the vareo and the 100 is bloody expensive they are both off the cards for now.
Thanks again for your suggestions, hopefully see some of you on the water sometime.
