Dinghy for a bit of family fun

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arfa

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We're thinking of going in a slightly different sailing direction as my eldest is coming along nicely at dinghy sailing and I would like to be able to do a bit of "Dad's and daughters" racing with her. We went out in an RS Feva last week which was fun but blimmin uncomfortable for yours truly as weighing in at 15 stone (she a waif like 6 stone), it had to be blowing force 4 before I could shuffle away from the center of the boat towards the windward rail. Now I like dinghies with a bit of zip but I don't want to come off the water with advancing rheumatoid arthritis/cramp.
I have sailed mirrors, wayfarers etc but generally find them a bit sluggish and I would like to go in the direction of something a bit more zippy and preferably with a racing class on the South Coast (Chichester is my local ground and I really would be crossing over to the dark side if racing across all those narrow navigable channels).
I am leaning in the direction of an RS Vision, Laser Stratos or Laser 2000 but my question is whether there is something else I have missed ?
Any advice/pointers gratefully received
 
Hobiecats are awesome with a bit of warmth and sunshine, we have already pitchpoled one together on holiday - brilliant fun in the warmth but I fear it could be a once only event in the solent !
 
I have generally found enterprises to be a bit like wayfarers - really solid and sturdy but lacking a bit of zip - it is possible that I haven't sailed them right !
 
arfa said:
I have generally found enterprises to be a bit like wayfarers - really solid and sturdy but lacking a bit of zip - it is possible that I haven't sailed them right !
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Enterprises are too tippy and tender if you're 15 stones.
 
Of the ones you've mentioned the vision is a bit of a beach boat. The stratos is a blown up 2000 and a bit heavy. The 2k is a good boat and takes waves well. It also has a keen racing circuit which isn't high stress.

There are other older classes as well. Most are quite heavy so if they're quick they gave a large sail area, otherwise they tend to be a bit sluggish.
 
Seajet said:
Osprey or Scorpion, both lovely, and seaworthy when required too.
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The osprey looks very interesting and I will do more research - I like the way the class page says that the odd 7 kilos or so does not make too much difference!
 
fireball said:
Of the ones you've mentioned the vision is a bit of a beach boat. The stratos is a blown up 2000 and a bit heavy. The 2k is a good boat and takes waves well. It also has a keen racing circuit which isn't high stress.

There are other older classes as well. Most are quite heavy so if they're quick they gave a large sail area, otherwise they tend to be a bit sluggish.
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I have to admit the laser 2000 looks very interesting and the fact there is an active class adds to the attraction. I have sailed them before off the coast of Brittany and found them a little febrile but nowhere near as twitchy as a feva !
 
Arfa,

I'd say go for the Osprey Mk 2 with a stern deck; handy in waves, and one can keep beer cold in the locker !

Best dinghy I ever sailed, let alone owned, and I have tried the modern trendy jobs with a lot more zeroes on the price. :)

Osprey1-1.jpg
 
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Arfa,

to be fair, the Osprey is quite heavy to handle on shore & up slipways, so bear this in mind if thinking of a steep slip.I found a jockey wheel on the trolley helped a lot; but she's nothing like a Wayfarer which needs an army !

I sadly sold mine years ago, but I'm sure you could organise a ride through the Class Association; I think I'm right in saying the boat will raise a knowing nod from people who've sailed dinghies a bit. ;)

I sailed mine from Chichester to Cowes with a chum who'd never sailed before in his life - in defence he was a super fit surfer with common sense - we didn't sleep aboard though.

I crewed a state of the art Int' 14 at the time, and often wondered why the owner had paid tens of thousands for something which handled like a tea trolley, ( The Osprey is my benchmark loveliest handling boat ) was severely uncomfortable in every way and only slightly faster !
 
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I have managed a wayfarer on my own up and down the slipway but it was a bit of a struggle !
Thank you for the pointers, time for more practical research !
 
What about a fireball? They're supposed to be a bit of a hoot, although possibly not on the same performance level as more modern dinghies.

I had a kestrel, which was a really nice sized family boat, underrated IMHO and reasonably quick. OK to singlehand but a bit of a lug up the slip on your own. ....Although, ahem, I only sailed her once.... It was a family commitments thing. That and a lot of glass repairs were needed...
 
Given you are most of the weight and assuming you will be helming, then I think you should stick to hiking boats only. You then need to decide if you can handle a spinnaker. If not something like an Albacore or National 12(lighter, more tippy) would work well. If you are up to a spinnaker then any of the hiking assymmetrics would suit. RS200 is spot on for your combined weight. Laser 2000 would be good to and a bit more stable.
 
armchairsailor said:
What about a fireball? They're supposed to be a bit of a hoot, although possibly not on the same performance level as more modern dinghies.

I had a kestrel, which was a really nice sized family boat, underrated IMHO and reasonably quick. OK to singlehand but a bit of a lug up the slip on your own. ....Although, ahem, I only sailed her once.... It was a family commitments thing. That and a lot of glass repairs were needed...
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I used to sail alongside a decent sized Fireball fleet, plus sailing one now and again, and now wish I had bought one. It is fast and exciting, but an extraordinarily well mannered dinghy into the bargain with few vices. We had crews in their 60s and 70s sailing them quite happily in windy conditions. I went to watch the inland nationals the other week, and the guy who won the first race in F5-6 was over 60 (Neil Thornton..who used be Number One sails of Wakefield). Superb boat and affordable, and not heavy.

I always see the Osprey as the Aston Martin DB4 of dinghies. Not the latest technology (though now being built in foam sandwich construction believe it or not..Mk 4 or maybe 5), but a superb performer with loads of class. I've never sailed one, but remember seeing my first one in Pembrokeshire in the late 1950s. A great sea boat.

Tim
 
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