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 Single-handed Stratos?
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paulhayscourt

United Kingdom
1 Posts

Posted - 07 Jul 2009 :  22:55:11  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
I am thinking of buying a Stratos -as I have a young family and some friends who like to sail. However, quite bit of the time I will probably be single-handed. How well suited is the Stratos to sailing alone?

pcmoyes

20 Posts

Posted - 08 Jul 2009 :  08:48:53  Show Profile  Visit pcmoyes's Homepage  Reply with Quote
I sail my Stratos single handed on the river Thames most of the time and find it very good as there is a lot of open space in the boat but you do have to develop a technique with the tiller and main sheet hoop when tacking, i find mine a very competative boat against the Wayfarers and Enterprises at our club, also if you do capsize it can be righted easily and i can continue in the races as they soon drain out. In very stong winds they can be a handfull single handed as with any boat. Very verstile boat.

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bubble

51 Posts

Posted - 08 Jul 2009 :  08:58:31  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
hi Paul

I have never tried single handed, but I do struggle to sometimes find crew. My 8 1/2 year old can do it well, so can friends even on the first attempt. The 5 1/2 year old mooches around in the bow, and potters

Its a heavy-ish boat, so you sometimes need that extra help, especially when returning to the beach.
Its perfect for the family, loads of room, centre seat, handle to hold, modern , motor-able etc etc.

If I am on my own I use the clubs laser, if its friends and family [up to 6 people] I use the stratos.

Also consider a laser 2000 , smaller but perhaps as flexible. I don't really like the wayfarer as its a little dated, but stable.

Come to Whitstable this weekend and see!

regds Neill, 622, Cambridge
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NickM

United Kingdom
53 Posts

Posted - 08 Jul 2009 :  20:19:02  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Hi Paul,

I have sailed a bit single handed and anticipating that, I deliberately got a Keel version for added stability. I have sailed comfortably in F4. Launching and recovery is an issue to consider though because of the added weight.

NickM
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Colquite@tiscali.co.uk

United Kingdom
2 Posts

Posted - 04 Aug 2009 :  22:00:50  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Hi Paul,

I have a centre board stratos 978 and sail quite regularly on my own, I have increased the length of the jib sheets they now pass behind the mainsheet frame where I can grab them easily, also I have increased the length of the genniker up/down haul back to the aft cockpit allowing control.
I always tie the jib and genniker sheets together inside the boat so you only have to grab at either side to get control.
The comments regarding getting the boat out of the water are correct recently pulled my back trying to get the boat and launching trolley out of the lake, I now only use the slipway and ask for help.
Great boat to sail
Have fun
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