| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| jjthefridge |
Posted - 29 Oct 2007 : 21:37:18
hi
I'm jeremy(j.j. for short) and a fridge engineer hence jjthefridge.
I used to sail a phantom back in the late 80's havn't done much sailing since, although used to windsurf, good way to understand prebending masts to de-power rigs. Done rya level 2 in dart 16, losts of fun little effort.
I now own a fletcher 15ft water ski boat with a 2 stroke on the back, which is much like a women, is quite happy for ages then suddenly stops and gives you nothing but grief for no apparent reason.
Anyway, the fletcher is going, want to go to sail, but what to buy?
I've got a nine year old son who has never sailed before, so a boat has got to safe and predictable, but he's getting more confident in/on the water, like to get him involved whilst sailing. My girlfriend has never sailed before, but is fairly adventurous. Then me who'll go out in any weather, so i'd get easily bored if a dingy was too slow, so boat need a good turn of speed when requied, needs to be a good sea boat, as we live in torbay, it can get fairly lumpy around berry head going to dartmouth.
We go camping, and fowey was brilliant finding deserted beaches so an outboard would be good. Also a friendly welcoming group of people who sail the same boat an advantage.
Oh yes of chocolate brown lab also goes in boat, so doggy friendly, a must.
I think you may also be slightly bias as a boat to buy, but any advise on any dinghies would be much apprieachiated.
cheers
j.j.
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| 3 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| jjthefridge |
Posted - 30 Oct 2007 : 20:16:45
neil,
Thanks for the advice, got to sell speed boat, get my boy in a boat, then hopefully, bobs your uncle
cheers
j.j.
j.j. |
| NEILW |
Posted - 30 Oct 2007 : 20:15:06
Hi Jeremy,
We've just changed from a wooden Wayfarer to a Stratos for much the same reasons detailed in your enquiry. We've found the dinghy as stable as the Wayfarer but much more exciting. We're still strugling with the kite(especially on the drops) but practise make perfect! Its a little bit heavier than the Wayfarer and is a bit of a handfull on a steep slip with just two adults. We normally sail as a family with 2 adults and a 14yr old and just about manage but we're always very gratefull of assistance.
The Sail Safe system seems to work well-we capsized for the first time this weekend and managed to recover it without too much difficulties which was very encouraging seeing that this was the first capsize since our training over 12 months ago.
We also have a Lab, who we would like to take out when possible and the Stratos (although just about the same dimensions as the Wayfarer)is much more open and feels twice the size.-It also appears to be a lot more durable.
Overall we really pleased with the Stratos as an excellent all rounder with a good turn of speed and are really looking forward to next season.
Good luck and I hope you choose a Stratos!!!
Neil W 312
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| neilgbj |
Posted - 30 Oct 2007 : 19:19:13
Jeremy
I'm biased but buy a Stratos....great family boat, very stable at sea (we sail ours on the east Coast, also occasionally very lumpy !) and with the Asymmetric loads of fun. Trapeze option (although not really required) is great for the kids/adults to learn on and it really will look after you. Downside is cost (£4K to £5K for reasonable second hand)
Other options
Wayfarer... great boat but not as flexible as the Stratos (good one for £2500).We use them in our Youth section in all weathers
RS Vision..sailed one liked it but not as much room and more of a fun boat I think
Omega....slighty bigger than the Vision (we have three in our Youth section and don't let them our in anything above a F3+..unstable)
L2000.... good boat but not as much room as the Stratos. Strong Class association. Quire expensive second hand because of demand
Go for the Stratos...in a good F4+ they really are great fun if you want to go for it
Good Luck
Neil (270)
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