Re: best boat for 10- etc. Sorry didn't make it clear

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Re: best boat for 10- etc. Sorry didn\'t make it clear

An idea to form a sailing club is being considered. We were looking for advice on which boats to buy (money allowing) to be the 'Club' boats to train youngsters in the 10 - 18 age group plus be suitable for older learners and more experienced. Wayfarers, Bosuns, Topper Omega - particularly the Topper Omega, which looks a v. good all rounder. Any further thoughts please.
 
Re: best boat for 10- etc. Sorry didn\'t make it clear

Topper Omega and the RS Vision are good - rotomoulded plastic stuff so nil maintenance and very hardy (good for schools as they take the knocks etc) - also they look 'modern' which is attractive to people new into the sport.

Lots of room and you can 'upgrade' them with trapeze's and kites etc so good for getting people to progress as their skills improve.
 
Re: best boat for 10- etc. Sorry didn\'t make it clear

Wayfarers make great training boats for all ages as they reef well and are hard to turn over. An instructor can take 4 kids out at a time to maximise their time on the water. Financially Wayfarers are relatively low cost 2nd hand & are readily available. Downside to them is that they are heavy if you have to haul them up & down a long slip. When the children can sail then a setting up a junior fleet is the best next step as this gives them independence. Don't forget to budget for sufficient rescue cover for any of the options as ribs don't come cheap and you'll need two or three depending on numbers....
Hope this helps
Chris.
 
Re: best boat for 10- etc. Sorry didn\'t make it clear

We use Pico's and they are superb. Almost indestructable, lots of fun and can be sailed single handed or two up. Great for pirate games and such like!
 
Re: best boat for 10- etc. Sorry didn\'t make it clear

My kids club uses a variety of boats.

Enterprises-great for teaching newbies, but always left in the compound on club night.

RS Feva- Fast and fun, but they are prone to accident damage. (they are not as tough as they look). They dont let under 14's use these. Always the first boats grabbed by Dads on family night.

Laser- Great boat, good speed and popular with the older kids (14+) Younger kids can be a bit scared of the performance.

Topper- Loved by everyone. The younger kids think they are great, the older kids really enjoy getting maximum performance. They feel 'fast' in most conditions and even the small kids can rig them. The bonus is they are virtually indistructable

If I had to make a choice to start a new club on a limited budget I would buy a couple of Ents for teaching and the rest of the cash on toppers.When cash allows buy a more performance orientated class as well.

Mark
 
Re: best boat for 10- etc. Sorry didn\'t make it clear

and dont forget the admin side of things. you need piles of insurance - brain damaged or just crippled, kids are expensive to compensate. you need trained instructors or you are very vulnerable. and of course the law regards any male as a potential paedo so you have to be cleared by the criminal records lot.

many clubs find it easier not to train kids just as many schools avoid any outdoor activity
 
Re: best boat for 10- etc. Sorry didn\'t make it clear

I agree with this suggestion. We used to teach in Enterprises, Wayfarers etc., but for fun Toppers et al are very popular and almost indestructable and build confidence but can become "water toys" and just used as a bathing platform. Another problem with them is that they are basically singlehanders and so reduce the number afloat and do not encourage crewing, so we went on to Laser Funs for a bit more excitement for the learners (and bruises for the Instructors). A mixture of boats is the best result to get the right blend of learning and enthusiasm.
 
Re: best boat for 10- etc. Sorry didn\'t make it clear

Wayfarers are outdated and very heavy. You will never be able to send kids out on their own in a wayfarer, as if it goes over they will not be able to get it upright again. And the loads involved in hoisting the sails are beyond most kids.

And they really don't have the "cool factor" that other more modern, lighter designs do.
 
Re: best boat for 10- etc. Sorry didn\'t make it clear

You are right on all points. Insurance is high - training is expensive for start-ups and there are a significant number of people saying that if it's under 18 orientated they won't be involved. A headmaster friend told me 20 years ago that he started looking for early retirement, and got it, when they stopped him clouting kids to keep them in line. All downhill since! The power is with the young apparently.
 
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