New knee new dinghy

TernVI said:
Update from Steve [Cockerill], February 2009
Click to expand...

Timely! ? I thought my 2011 reference might be a tad outdated.

I'm not denying your point. When I was 78kg myself, the standard rig felt like a lot of effort upwind in a breeze, for not a lot of reward; I just didn't enjoy sailing the Laser enough to persevere and learn how to make the experience easier.

Watching the catamarans blitz the Lasers, Aeros and Contenders at Easter, it strikes me that Daydream's suggestion of a Sprint would suit Steve Greene very well, unless he particularly wants to go only as fast as the Lasers he has so far sailed amongst.

Would it be troublesome to a new knee, to have to keep your feet at the same level as your backside, such as on a catamaran?

Worth noting that they're not exactly lightweight, but there'll be a big-wheel trailer option that has to be easier.

51138392085_eba8aeb588_c.jpg


Lots of Sprints are based at Shanklin. They do occasional sails round to Ventnor, so I guess it must be able to cope in waves.
 
SteveGreene said:
I had already booked a trial on a Phantom so I'll probably keep that just so as I know what I might be missing.
Click to expand...
Second hand ones are like hens teeth at the moment. That is another reason that I am about to put mine up for sale whilst the prices are high. But I know that the minute it goes I will regret it. Especially as I am rowing out to my squib to race that instead :cry:
Then I am really going to feel old:sleep:
 
Sprint/Dart 15 is a fine thing, but racing completely disparate craft loses a great deal of the fun IMHO. It's OK if you don't really want to race, just be out on the water at the same time as others, so there is safety boat cover and a bit of socialisation, which suits some people not others. Some people even buy odd boats to get away from the competitive bit, but enjoy turning up for a sail. Same with the K1 keelboat, racing those against dinghies is either not serious or a route to someone moaning about the PY system. One Design racing in either would be a different matter.
 
Even though I never race, I agree about a catamaran possibly being a step too different, and not necessarily more fun. Their pace and silence (lack of spray) can be spectacular but not always more involving.

Judging by a Google drone's-eye view of the Pagham boat park (below), it looks like a small handful of Lasers, Toppers, maybe some Bytes and less distinguishable classes, and cats. I wouldn't expect Steve's choice to risk causing objections on the yardstick basis.

Actually I haven't heard of any dissatisfaction about ratings between the numerous keen racers at my club, and the growing fleet of K1s. I think if a lack of parity emerges that consistently puts one class at an advantage which its crews may not wholly have earned, it is recognised and acknowledged - admitted, by the parties concerned.

51137655588_8ce39ba9c8_c.jpg


Has anyone suggested a Contender? Big hull and big rig that doesn't favour lightweights or shorties. I know because I wanted one.

The trapeze might be easier on the knees too, although the boom is very low.
 
Hadron H2 is the obvious choice, a Blaze might also suit. You can get single bottomed Phantoms, either older wooden ones or modern epoxy JJ boats with a double bottom but a footwell for the helm. If it wasn't for the shingle beach then K1 or Finn would be in the mix
 
SteveGreene said:
I am 56 and 8 weeks ago I had a total knee replacement. Even though I fluctuate between 16.5 - 17 stone, I can still mix it on breezey days.
Click to expand...

Not wishing to sound rude, do you think the weight and knee surgery have a connection?
Would losing a couple of stone be a practical or acceptable plan?
 
No insight on the racing dinghys, sorry, I’m an idle all mod cons floating caravan cruiser.

But on the knee, 8 weeks is very early. I had a PKR 2 years 3 weeks ago. The debate on whether TKR or PKR is a tougher gig will rumble on for years, suffice to say eight weeks was not a comfortable place. Two years and a revision surgery later, knee ROM is almost the same as the other side, and kneeling is ok if not my first choice of activities.

Whether kneeling on the knee once you are further along is going to be detrimental is a moot point, but I have to kneel a fair bit for work. I use padding where I can, otherwise I get on with it. So a season off may be sensible, but do you need to give the laser up for ever?
 
Great Forum! Thank you for all your indepth replies which have helped a great deal in narrowing down my options. I've first got to see where my knee is at in a few more weeks to determine what I can step onto. I am genuinely excited about finding my next partner on the water, which I hope is not too long a wait and I will post piccies when that happens.
To my fellow competitors... Eat My Surf!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Other threads that may be of interest

B
Halberg Rassey 31
2 3 4
Replies
71
Views
2K
ashtead
ashtead

Share this page

Top