Discussion
So my plan of buying a Jeanneau Sun Odessey 42i has not come to fruition, due to a) lack of money and b) lack of money. So I've set my sights a bit lower.
Back in my teens I used to sail a Nat 12 but a couple of decades have elapsed, so I decided to become reacquainted. I've done my Level 1 and now doing Level 2 RYA sailing course at the local reservoir, because then I can rent one of their dinghy's.
They have some rather nice Topaz Omega's, 16 foot long, 3 sail, plastic things. And they're great. So I thought, ideal. Then I looked at the price £5500+ Wow. 2nd hand and they still fetch £3500+
I could get a proper boat for that. So esteemed PH viewers. What's a good, fast'ish dinghy, comparable to the Omega, that can carry at least 3/4 and doesn't cost a kings ransom secondhand?
The reason for looking at potential 2nd hand purchase rather than continuing to rent is that way I can take it to one of the many rivers we have around here on the east coast. Unlikely to be involved in racing, more a day of fun kind of thing.
Back in my teens I used to sail a Nat 12 but a couple of decades have elapsed, so I decided to become reacquainted. I've done my Level 1 and now doing Level 2 RYA sailing course at the local reservoir, because then I can rent one of their dinghy's.
They have some rather nice Topaz Omega's, 16 foot long, 3 sail, plastic things. And they're great. So I thought, ideal. Then I looked at the price £5500+ Wow. 2nd hand and they still fetch £3500+
I could get a proper boat for that. So esteemed PH viewers. What's a good, fast'ish dinghy, comparable to the Omega, that can carry at least 3/4 and doesn't cost a kings ransom secondhand?
The reason for looking at potential 2nd hand purchase rather than continuing to rent is that way I can take it to one of the many rivers we have around here on the east coast. Unlikely to be involved in racing, more a day of fun kind of thing.
"Nice" and "Omega" in the same sentence! Eek!
TBH you are asking for quite a lot there...the tricky bit to fulfil is probably the bit where you want it to carry 4 people. If I were you I'd take a good look at a decent 2nd hand GRP Wayfarer...if you don't want to race it an older boat will be fine, and you can sail it, motor it, row it, even sleep on it and keep it on a mooring for short periods. It's ability to carry people/gear is legendary, and they have even been cruised from the UK to Iceland and Norway.
Not my kind of boat, but even I have to admit to having had quite good fun in one 3 up in a solid 25 knots one day! You can fit a spinnaker, and the "Wayfarer World" spec has an asymmetric kite...might be a bit more money though.
TBH you are asking for quite a lot there...the tricky bit to fulfil is probably the bit where you want it to carry 4 people. If I were you I'd take a good look at a decent 2nd hand GRP Wayfarer...if you don't want to race it an older boat will be fine, and you can sail it, motor it, row it, even sleep on it and keep it on a mooring for short periods. It's ability to carry people/gear is legendary, and they have even been cruised from the UK to Iceland and Norway.
Not my kind of boat, but even I have to admit to having had quite good fun in one 3 up in a solid 25 knots one day! You can fit a spinnaker, and the "Wayfarer World" spec has an asymmetric kite...might be a bit more money though.
Thank you for the 2 suggestions. A £500 Laser 16 looks like a tall order, as they appear to fetch a far bit more for a half decent one.
The Wayfarer looks like a better bet. Seems to be plenty available. I didn't realise mentioning the Omega would provide an 'eek', but then my experiance is very limited. I just felt that it was smooth, easy to control singlehanded and went quite a lot faster than I remember a Nat 12 could go.
Fortunately I 3/4 people bit is only because I have 2 young sons who I'd like to introduce to the water and maybe, just maybe, I could persuade the wife to come along every now and again.
The Wayfarer looks like a better bet. Seems to be plenty available. I didn't realise mentioning the Omega would provide an 'eek', but then my experiance is very limited. I just felt that it was smooth, easy to control singlehanded and went quite a lot faster than I remember a Nat 12 could go.
Fortunately I 3/4 people bit is only because I have 2 young sons who I'd like to introduce to the water and maybe, just maybe, I could persuade the wife to come along every now and again.
apguy said:
Thank you for the 2 suggestions. A £500 Laser 16 looks like a tall order, as they appear to fetch a far bit more for a half decent one.
The Wayfarer looks like a better bet. Seems to be plenty available. I didn't realise mentioning the Omega would provide an 'eek', but then my experiance is very limited. I just felt that it was smooth, easy to control singlehanded and went quite a lot faster than I remember a Nat 12 could go.
Fortunately I 3/4 people bit is only because I have 2 young sons who I'd like to introduce to the water and maybe, just maybe, I could persuade the wife to come along every now and again.
Top tip from my friend is to walk around sailing clubs looking for the dinghys with long grass around them - find out who the owner is and then make an offer The Wayfarer looks like a better bet. Seems to be plenty available. I didn't realise mentioning the Omega would provide an 'eek', but then my experiance is very limited. I just felt that it was smooth, easy to control singlehanded and went quite a lot faster than I remember a Nat 12 could go.
Fortunately I 3/4 people bit is only because I have 2 young sons who I'd like to introduce to the water and maybe, just maybe, I could persuade the wife to come along every now and again.
I just bought a "GP14" which met my criteria for taking Wife and 2 sons out (would fit Wife and all three sons but one is not so keen....). Sails well and is easier to launch than a Wayfarer. £1000 should get you a decent one if you are lucky. Just need to improve my skills before taking it out to sea.
GP14 is a very good choice - I'd recommend getting yourself along to your local club (as you've already looked at) to get yourself some racing experience. Once you understand the basics, there really is nothing to match getting involved with the GP14 racing fleet, that take their events all over the country - any help you want, just ask pretty much any of the sailors from the front of the pack and they'll be more than willing to give you advice.
If you ask very nicely, I'm sure you'd find at least one of them willing to take you out, or help to tune the boat. Richard Estaugh wrote an extremely good tuning guide which I believe is on the GP14 website somewhere. Although saying that, there is a world of difference between the Series 1 and Series 2 boats (buoyancy bags vs built in buoyancy), with the series 2 boats being much quicker and a lot stiffer.
Send me a message if you want any further information and help - I'd willingly come and sail with you to give you a few tips, but unfortunately I'm living in Bristol, so couldn't be much further from you!
If you ask very nicely, I'm sure you'd find at least one of them willing to take you out, or help to tune the boat. Richard Estaugh wrote an extremely good tuning guide which I believe is on the GP14 website somewhere. Although saying that, there is a world of difference between the Series 1 and Series 2 boats (buoyancy bags vs built in buoyancy), with the series 2 boats being much quicker and a lot stiffer.
Send me a message if you want any further information and help - I'd willingly come and sail with you to give you a few tips, but unfortunately I'm living in Bristol, so couldn't be much further from you!
Laser Stratos if its for day boating around a lake or reservoir, to be honest, a GP14 is a racing class boat, in the wrong hands easily capsized and i really wouldn't like to be on the water with the responsibility of 2 kids and another adult whilst looking after myself and the boat. I know on the Tees, the club takes out disabled children on there stratos as its a fairly stable boat even in moderate to strong winds.
If its racing your after, get a GP15, National 12 or stretch the budget to an RS200 and gt the kids a topper or a laser each. All 4 of those classes will have a good following, lots of info on class association websites and should have good social people will ing to help you out at any half decent dingy club
If its racing your after, get a GP15, National 12 or stretch the budget to an RS200 and gt the kids a topper or a laser each. All 4 of those classes will have a good following, lots of info on class association websites and should have good social people will ing to help you out at any half decent dingy club
the helm ultimately has responsibility for all on board his boat.
Assuming the OP is not lying and has completed RYA courses, i would assume he already knows the capsize routine.
My point being, on a boat really designed for 2 people, its not really wise to be out sailing it with 2 kids and another adult crew
Assuming the OP is not lying and has completed RYA courses, i would assume he already knows the capsize routine.
My point being, on a boat really designed for 2 people, its not really wise to be out sailing it with 2 kids and another adult crew
evolution666 said:
the helm ultimately has responsibility for all on board his boat.
Assuming the OP is not lying and has completed RYA courses, i would assume he already knows the capsize routine.
My point being, on a boat really designed for 2 people, its not really wise to be out sailing it with 2 kids and another adult crew
Not a problem providing all have flotation aids and the other adult crew is also competent or at least not a panicker.Assuming the OP is not lying and has completed RYA courses, i would assume he already knows the capsize routine.
My point being, on a boat really designed for 2 people, its not really wise to be out sailing it with 2 kids and another adult crew
not really enough space for 2 adults and 2 kids no matter which way you want to cut it^^^^^
far better idea, although more expensive, its a keel boat so substantially more stable. If the budget cant stretch this far, try a wayfarer or a seafarer, but as being wooden, expect high maintenance
Edited by evolution666 on Tuesday 5th October 21:55
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