Flying fifteen.

[Allan]

Having just read the revived Skipper thread I thought I would ask about a Flying 15. I have the chance to buy an average condition boat on a good road trailer for £400. Its number is about 2000. The sails are average at best.
I used to own an Etap 22i which I trailer sailed, so launching holds no fears for me.
Our club has a few others so I have some to sail with.
I just fancy something to play in the bay, rather than use my cruiser. I've sail a 15 once and liked the feel, it didn't feel like it would fall over. A bit of a gentleman's dingy.
Does anyone have any experience/views/comments?
Allan

 

[Stork_III]

Iowned/ sailed FF3427 for 11years. Great boats, great fun, but they can capsize but will usually self right but with lots of water inside. Make sure the tanks/bouancy bags are sealed and well restrained.

Lots of info on the FF 15 website. http://www.flying15.org.uk/classic-and-silver-f15/buy-an-older-f15

 

[Eyore]

Great fun to sail and although they can capsize as mentioned its pretty rare and you would really be pushing it hard.

 

[Allan]

Many thanks for the replies. I'm hoping that by not pushing too hard I'll avoid any need to find out if it will self right! The boat has floatation bags. I know of one which went for £250 recently so not sure of the value for money.
Allan

 

[EuanMcKenzie]

The trailer is probably worth £250 if its roadworthy, the mainsail alone probably £150 s/h

If its complete and sailable I can't see your losing at that price

 

[easton]

I used to sail FF 2120, it was a lovely boat, nicely balanced and easy to tune. I'd say go for it at that price, I loved sailing mine, but sold it to buy a smaller lighter dinghy for river exploring. regretted it until the current big boat came along.
A

 

[trapezeartist]

I have an irrational hatred of Freds. If you want a dinghy, get a proper dinghy. If you want something that will create it's own righting moment, you will need something with a heavier keel than a FF.

 

[Seajet]

There's a chap either on here or the PBO forum who has restored a Fifteen, and made a lovely job of it; I think the thread title is ' saved from the bonfire ' ?

 

[Sandgrounder]

There's a chap either on here or the PBO forum who has restored a Fifteen, and made a lovely job of it; I think the thread title is ' saved from the bonfire ' ?

There is: IainC of this parish. Thread's here: -http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?330889-Saved-from-the-bonfire-new-project!&highlight=

 

[Stork_III]

There is: IainC of this parish. Thread's here: http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?330889-Saved-from-the-bonfire-new-project!&highlight=

.

 

[Alan_B]

Would definitely recommend one. I owned IRL 1499 for a while and had some great days sailing, and one day sinking in her!

Go out in a bit of a blow and get up on the plane. The feeling cannot be beaten rounding a mark and popping the kite up and just absolutely holding on for dear life. Well it could but it'll cost you a lot more.

They do have a tendency to fill up, make sure you have buoyancy all round, back, front and down the sides. In earlier models the space under the deck was open and did not lend its self to bags being fitted. Later models are enclosed so if you fill it, it will float, unlike mine which sat just below the surface.

 

[markhomer]

We had an ole wyche an coppock many years ago , filled tanks with empty 2l coke bottles ( and other varieties , did the job when we capsized , only once , noted when nationals at rhu near half a dozen new boats were found bows pointing skywards after a stormy weekend pre first race , bags then were prone to burst on through bolting and jaggy rough fibreglass inside tanks ,


Great boats though loved our time in them

 

[Iain C]

There's a chap either on here or the PBO forum who has restored a Fifteen, and made a lovely job of it; I think the thread title is ' saved from the bonfire ' ?

Thanks for the words but it's still restorING and remember pictures can be deceptive! Still, clocks about to go forwards...a few hours work in the evenings and she should be sailing again soon.

 

[Seajet]

Iain C,

I bet you'll get more satisfaction sailing her than any lottery winner type in their megayot with lit up Jacuzzi's !

 

[J Neeves]

Iain C,

I bet you'll get more satisfaction sailing her than any lottery winner type in their megayot with lit up Jacuzzi's !

+1

Not quite the same but I'm crewing on an Etchells - I sadly find that I'm more decript than I thought, seem to have forgotten what I ever learnt but its very satisfying.

Go for it,

Jonathan

 

[Allan]

I hope all of the positive comments are correct! I have agreed to pay £300 for the Flying fifteen and pick it up tomorrow.
Allan

 

[wully1]

I hope all of the positive comments are correct! I have agreed to pay £300 for the Flying fifteen and pick it up tomorrow.
Allan

Bargain!

Enjoy.