Wayfarers

[rwoofer]

Sailing in light airs can take more skill than other classes though as secret is to get it going in any direction first then steer your preferred course.

That is what you need to do in most classes, so don't think the Wayfarer is unique there.

I was considering a Wayfarer myself as a general dinghy for racing/cruising etc. The really unique thing about it compared to other dinghies is it's stability. There is however a dinghy that probably beats it in all areas except good quality class, class racing and a wealth of knowledge about cruising one and that would be the RS Venture. I sailed one singlehanded and was really quite impressed, however I did not want to pay the new cost as there aren't any available secondhand.

In the end I went for an Albacore, which trades a bit of stability for much better performance, the Albacore rates at 1050 sans spinnaker vs 1112 for a Wayfarer with spinnaker.

 

[Sailfree]

That is what you need to do in most classes, so don't think the Wayfarer is unique there.

I was considering a Wayfarer myself as a general dinghy for racing/cruising etc. The really unique thing about it compared to other dinghies is it's stability. There is however a dinghy that probably beats it in all areas except good quality class, class racing and a wealth of knowledge about cruising one and that would be the RS Venture. I sailed one singlehanded and was really quite impressed, however I did not want to pay the new cost as there aren't any available secondhand.

In the end I went for an Albacore, which trades a bit of stability for much better performance, the Albacore rates at 1050 sans spinnaker vs 1112 for a Wayfarer with spinnaker.

Wayfarer is unique that being one of the heavier dinghys if it stops it is harder to get going due to its weight than most others so essential to keep it going in any direction as tacking to find the wind will leave you stationary.

Problem with all RS's is that only spares/sails supplied by RS are allowed at eye watering prices thats why so many just buy a new replacement RS every few years to ensure the most competitive boat/sails.

Our club only allows certain dinghy classes and the Wayfarer has enough numbers to have its own start. The problem with many dinghys at clubs that lets any dinghy race on PY handicap is that you don't know where you are until the times v handicaps are worked out. Sailing a one class design at club level with up to 20 starters is best IMHO. Only larger classes can do that eg Laser, RS200 and Wayfarer. You can also learn watching the boats in front what they are doing right. In a mixed fleet the tendancy is to just assume boat in front has a faster PY!

 

[Searush]

Mr Proctor didn't do much wrong. :encouragement:

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Aren't you supposed to be INSIDE it to sail it? Or are you making love to it?

 

[Greenheart]

Aren't you supposed to be INSIDE it to sail it? Or are you making love to it?

That's not I, sir. I wish it was my boat though!

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Reminds me that it can be quite a big deal, just climbing aboard...