| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
charliemort
6 Posts |
 Posted - 01 Sep 2009 : 12:31:34
|
We bought a second hand Stratos (advertised here) about 18 months ago.
We had outgrown the Miracle with 5 of us (3 kids now 11, 9, and 4) so look for something fun, roomy, motorable, and safe. We aren't massively experienced..........
We have used it at our local sailing club, Chichester Harbour, 2 weeks in a lake in SW France, and in Salcombe.
So, our honest experiences:
- moving it around. The combi trailer is great, with the winch and jockey wheel, so towing is a breeze. This may sound obvious, but with the Miracle we were cobbling everything together with all sorts of bits of rope and stuff. Really stable to tow - hardly notice it is there. We have the mast support / trailer board mount, which is great. It is quite heavy on land, but nothing myself and my wife haven't been able to handle - we are quite strong though....... the optional launch trolley jockey wheel really helps on the flat, but means the boat wants to wheelie on a steep slipway.
- sailing. To be honest, we have been quite surprised how feisty it is. In a decent wind it really takes off and we regularly have our combined 25 stone (without kids) right out (force 5 / 6) hanging on like mad. We have quite a lot of fun with the genniker (and a few swims). My wife uses the trapeze quite a bit, eldest daughter has also had a go.
I have sailed it on my own in a pretty light wind.
- kids. Loads of room. In Salcombe it took on beach taxi duties with a little 2 hp Yamaha outboard, carrying 8 plus gear at times. Dump kids off then go for a proper sail. Motor really does give you options if wind is up or tide is wrong for sailing with kids(ie 90 % of time in Salcombe!)
We sail it with 5. I suppose this is where we learnt our lesson - getting a bit over-confident we ballsed up a genniker gybe and dumped all the kids in. It has taken them quite a while to regain confidence (especially the youngest who was 3 at the time). I think they do find the boat quite intimidating the way it reacts so quickly to gusts (compared to what I am used to anyway)(probably as it is quite flat bottomed)
- capsize. Have only really capsized with genniker up (one exception), but have got close. It is really pretty hard to capsize just with main and jib. We haven't turtled it, but got close, and are considering a most uncool mast-head float. It comes up okay with a bit of effort - wife on centre-board, me hanging off it, so the flooding system thingumy seems to work. She then hops over the side and I go in over the transom before it drains (hopefully).
- in conclusion. We have loved it. Kids learning to love it. Recommend leaving the genniker in the sock with kids on board unless you are really confident. I had visions of going on all day around coast epics with kids - eg Salcombe to Hope Cove or similar. Sure this is possible but our experience is that this is probably going a bit far. Bit livelier than we expected (that's good and bad) We have considered getting something smaller at times but will probably combine with a Topper or something for the kids to mess about on
hope that helps someone!
charlie
|
|
|
bubble
51 Posts |
Posted - 02 Sep 2009 : 14:52:39
|
thanks for the input charlie,
I think ditto is my feelings on your comments
except - the with two adults and a good blow I have capsized at least 4 times now and have learnt not to push it too much, giving in when it starts to blow too much.
Mast head float, always have one on with the kids [6and 9]
regards neill, Cambridge, 622
|
 |
|
| |
Topic |
|
|
|
18 months on with a Stratos
