Hi
I am new to the class and am looking for a reasonably competitive boat mainly for inland events on a limited budget.
After a bit of research and several hours spent scouring though adverts, I think an early Tales would best suit my budget of around 3k and crew weight of not much over 20 stone, is this correct? If so what should I be looking for?
Two specific boats have caught my eye, one a turner FRP and one a woodward, would there be much difference between these two builders? The turners seem a little more expensive, is this just because of the fact the hulls are FRP, or are they faster?
I have also decided to view a thin ice design due to the convinience of it being located close by. The design guide says these are better at carrying weight than the tales but does this also mean they are not as good for light weight teams?
Cheers James
Posted: 14/07/2011 22:44:19 By: James Morley |
It depends what you class as inland!!! If you are talking a narrow river a Tales, may not be the best, however, in your budget, on wider rivers and bigger puddles, it may be the Mutts Nuts... Now, I may be going against the thinking of most in class, but having sailed most designs, as crew, I still feel that a Smokers Satisfaction, seems to give the best performance on all waters. I would suggest that a Tales, and the ilk are better on big waters.
But at the end of the day, it is all down to the team in the boat... A good boat does not make a poor sailor good... BUT, a poor boat can make a good sailor poor..
It may be worth considering, sailing a Smokers for a year, as you are new to the class, Merlins, are one of the best dinghies to sail, but take a bit of practice (teamwork wise). Also, with a Smokers, you could, compete in the classic series and the CVRDA events, which also have a great social side. (Not that any, Merlin sailing does not have a great social scene!!). However, as DH and myself proved last year, on the CVRDA circuit, after two sails we won an event in a Smokers, but we have both served our time learning Merlins, and they are a great boat to sail, and reward, when you get it right.. However, I am sure all will agree, get it wrong, and the boat lets you know!!!
However, good luck on finding the ideal boat, it is a bit like finding the ideal woman - and I haven't acheived that yet!!
Jon
Posted: 15/07/2011 00:07:56 By: Jon711 |
In a fleet of modernish boats you are very unlikely to win on a moderate sized water in a period Smoker in anything over a force 1. In handicap racing - preferably off the adjusted number - you will be OK, likewise in a fleet of similar boats up to NSM II age roughly.
The Tuner built Tales used to be boat everyone aspired to. They still carry a premium price, but less so than they used to! They probably represent the cheapest path to a hull very similar to a new Winder, but the flipside is that being so competetive for so long they have led hard lives and may need a little tidying up.
Posted: 15/07/2011 07:22:32 By: Chris M |
Terrabyte was at Salcombe last week and going very nicely (though the week we had not the best for assessing boatspeed!). The Woodward Tales, Slap & Tickle, hasn't got the record and has not had the work done that Terrabyte has, I have a vague memory of sailing it at Salcombe when Tom Perkins couldn't get down for the 1st couple of races. I tested the buoyancy and it all worked OK, a serviceable club boat.
Posted: 18/07/2011 09:27:39 By: Andrew M |