Flying fifteen's general advice

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IainR

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Flying fifteen\'s general advice

Hi,

Looking at buying one of these dinghies. Live in NZ, Wellington. So heard they are good for the windy conditions in the harbour. One's available for about 600 quid (NZ $1500), an old classic version, 1960's.

Just after general advice, info, what they are like to sail?

I've done a fair bit of dinghy sailing, lazer's, and GP14's etc, but the missus has done very little. So wondering how suitable they are?

Easy to sail? good in the wind etc? so far only spoken to theguy who is selling it but he sounds quite honest.

Cheers

Iain
 
Re: Flying fifteen\'s general advice

Not really experienced although some years back I was offered a f/g one for free. The owner wanted to keep the trailer. I think you will find they sail magnificently the only drawback being they are a sports boat so no real cabin or shelter for wife.
The big disadvantage is the fixed kee,l you have to leave it on a mooring in the water or retrieve each sail. If you retrieve to a trailer it is a great hassle as you have to lower the trailer on a rope ito about 5ft of water. One local club who race FF have a hoist from the side of a jetty and they all lower in before and hoist out after a race. I think they have an eye bolt in the top of the keel for the purpose.
If you leave it in the water they have venturi self draining which would have to be sealed. Theyv also have an open cockpit which lets the rain into the bilge so would need a bilge pump.
In other words you AWB with self draining cockpit is a better deal if left in the water long term. regards olewill
 
Re: Flying fifteen\'s general advice

PS i would get good slab reefing and an alternative smaller jib for pleasure sailing. They always race with full sail like a dinghy which is not at all suitable if it blows up. olewill
 
Re: Flying fifteen\'s general advice

Cheers, the club it's at now, the one I am thinking of joining has a hoist for their Flying fifteens, they have quite a fleet of them down their.

Thanks for the rest of the advice, we had a look again today, but havn't seen under the covers yet, as it was blowing a gale.
 
Re: Flying fifteen\'s general advice

I owned and sailed a flying fifteen in Wellington in 1965-67 when the Evans Bay fleet numbered about 20 boats.

The ff is an excellent boat for husband and wife or family racing, and the standard of sailing is extremely high.

The person you should speak with is Martyn Tel Wellington (04) 9708170. He has retired from sailing but is an ex- NZ champion, and Captained the Wellington fleet for a number of years. He will put you right!
 
Re: Flying fifteen\'s general advice

should have added. They used to race with trapezes in Wellington. (but not at the Nationals). We never reefed.
 
Re: Flying fifteen\'s general advice

i only crewed on one once or twice but basically a 20 foot long keel boat No cabin .Very fast Very wet .Can carry there sail due to a fixed fin keel making them selfrighting.

i found this one for sale ,I understand you Kiwis are up for a bit of DIY......http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/F70451/ /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Better one herehttp://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/view/F74641/

There is a large fleet at the club I am a member of now.Owners seem to range from highly competitive youngsters to middle age couples. So I would say a very versatile boat.
 
Re: Flying fifteen\'s general advice

Built one from scratch in double diagonal plan /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gifking and raced it for years, great boat as I do not like being ditched in the water. Some of my most enjoyable sailing was in my Ff called "Tiffin". Have a go.
 
Re: Flying fifteen\'s general advice

I owned race a Classic Fifteen (Classic = Sail No. < 2700) for 5 years. As others have said they are great fun to sail, can be sailed in a real blow and won't capsize (although we laid ours flat on several occasions) - they will always sit up. They're a real blast to sail in a reach/broad reach in a blow when you get them on the plane. You *will* get wet from the spray in those conditions.

However, if you want to race it's a different matter. They are a very technical boat to sail competitively and you need to start with a good hull. The fibreglass ones have been built from a whole range of different moulds and some are much faster than others. If your hull is from the wrong mould, you are unlikely to win consistently however good you are. In those circumstances it can get very frustrating...

As with all things in life, you get what you pay for! Talk to other local fifteen sailors. If you just want to blast around the bay and have a ball, pretty much any fifteen will do.

Enjoy! We did!

Ed
 
Re: Flying fifteen\'s general advice

All good advice.......I used to crew on one at Northampton Sailing club on Pitsford reservoir. The skipper was a keen racer, and it was great fun and competitive too, but we also used to go for a spin on non racing days. Having learnt in Bosun and Wayfarer dinghies, it was so reassuring to have the speed and excitement, but not the possiblility of capsize..yes they can go flat, and we broke a mast once, but I would certainly consider one if my sailing plans ever changed and I went back to dinghy sailing.
 
Re: Flying fifteen\'s general advice

Thanks,

Had mixed replies of other inquiries.

People have said they are too heavy to manouvre, too heavy too handle in the water, and easy to do lots of damage with etc.

Having a closer look on wednesday, but so far I am very tempted to get it, looks in good nick, and a good boat for the area.

Cheers for all the advice and any ther tips advice appreciated.
 
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