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Conference unifix::sailing

Title:	SAILING
Notice:	Please read Note 2.* before participating in this conference
Moderator:	UNIFIX::BERENS

Created:	Wed Jul 01 1992
Last Modified:	Mon Jun 02 1997
Last Successful Update:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:	2299
Total number of notes:	20724

976.0. "Upgrading from a Sunfish?" by NATASH::WEIGL () Mon Sep 12 1988 16:09

    I'm interested in upgrading from a very heavily-sailed Sunfish,
    and am considering options.  So far, I've been thinking about Force
    5 and Laser boats.
    
    My criteria are:
    
    - Can be sailed by one person, but can accomodate 2 adults
    - Can be launched by one person (trailer is OK)
    - Can be rigged in a resonable amount of time
    - Is faster than a Sunfish (14')
    
    I generally sail on reservoirs/lakes - for flatwater sailing, but
    also like to sail in semi-sheltered saltwater - like Welfleet Harbor,
    Pleasant Bay, Cap Cod Bay, for those who know Cape Cod.
    
    I would like some feedback from owners, etc. who could help me decide
    on a boat, and especially, get some pointers on where/how I could
    rent such craft in the Eastern Mass. area prior to a purchase.
    
    Thanks for your help!
    
    Andy Weigl

T.R	Title	User	Personal Name	Date	Lines
976.1	LASERS win here!	LDP::DIMUCCIO	Rich DiMuccio	`Mon Sep 12 1988 17:48`	12
	My club, Community Boating of Boston, has settled on the Laser for their one man high performance boat. They have a sailing program that includes Laser sailing and instruction but no rentals. In fact, they are offering one of their Lasers for sale now. We had tried Force 5's a few years backs, but they could not meet the tough demands of the club. In think that for a single user, they would be fine, but not a sailing club. The Lasers have served us well. Just my opinion. Rich
976.2	Laser or Laser II	DYO780::SORRELS		`Tue Sep 13 1988 17:25`	9
	I have no personal experience with the Laser or Force 5, but the folks I know who do would pick the Laser hands down. I observed a small lake mixed regatta (Sunfish & Laser) several years ago and the winner was on a Sunfish! There is also a Laser II which is sloop rigged. Seems small enough to rig, launch, and sail single-handed, and it is fast!!!
976.3	adjustable vs. sturdy	ULTRA::WITTENBERG	Secure Systems for Insecure People	`Tue Sep 13 1988 22:38`	9
	The laser is somewhat better built, but the Force 5 has more adjustments. If you like to adjust the sail with controls that work, get a Force 5. If you want a somewhat stronger boat with MUCH more racing possibilities, get a Laser. They're similar in speed, but I no longer remember exactly which conditions favor which boat. --David (who campaigned a laser for 4 years.)
976.4	another difference	CDR::SPENCER	John Spencer	`Wed Sep 14 1988 12:34`	7
	The Force 5 is a bit bigger than the Laser, too -- mostly in greater volume and initial stability. If you plan to carry passengers more than learn to race in a wide-spread, competitive fleet, that might be another consideration. J.
976.5		NATASH::WEIGL		`Wed Sep 14 1988 16:22`	10
	One comment I've heard about the Laser is that it's really not suitable for 2 adults - is this true? Are there other boats besides Laser/Force 5 I should be looking at? Thanks for the help so far! keep it coming! ajw
976.6	Try a Lightning	AKOV12::DJOHNSTON		`Wed Sep 14 1988 16:26`	7
	True, a laser is no good for two adults in most cases. I'd look at a lightning. Good two man boat and available used pretty cheap. Somebody must still race them locally,too. Dave
976.7	REAL FUN...	OURVAX::NICOLAZZO	Better living through chemistry	`Wed Sep 14 1988 16:33`	3
	Check out a 14' Hobie Cat (with jib). Meets your criteria and LOTS more fun!!!
976.8	Check out Siroca...	PAILUM::STODDARD	Just toolin' around...	`Thu Sep 15 1988 17:23`	8
	Also, check out the Siroca. 16.5 feet and ca easily carry 3 adults. (Sorry, I'm biased...I own one). See the note on the subject in this conference. Have a GREAT day! Pete
976.9		GONAVY::GINGER		`Fri Sep 16 1988 15:26`	16
	I was going to suggest a Lightninig as well, but since Im currently trying to sell one I thought it might look a little commercial :-) Actually I think its a great boat for 2 or even up to 4 adults. But the original request also wanted to sail alone- I sail mine alone, but I cant get it off the trailer and rigged alone- the spar is about 27' long. My wife and I can step it without problem. In favor of the Lightning, its a well established clas, this is the 50th aniversary year, and there is active racing all over the world- I know of several NE fleets, and there is a strong National Class association. Besides fast and fun daysailing, at least one guy has set his up for camp/cruising and has sailed all over the NE coast.
976.10	Second boat time	CSSE32::BLAISDELL		`Fri Sep 16 1988 18:54`	15
	OK - if we are going to talk about Lightnings in this note, we probably should mention that class rules set the crew at 3. The requirement for a third crew is, in my opinion, a major disadvantage. Another dinghy that might be considered is the Flying Scot. It has stronger one design standards and I have seen it rigged and sailed single-handed. FS class rules permit 2 or 3 crew. The fact is that I do not believe there is such a thing a sailboat that is a good for single-handing, can comfortably carry a crew, maintain good performance with crew, and is easily trailered and rigged alone. This is why so many sailors with larger boats also have a Sunfish or Laser in the garage. My suggestion is: keep the Sunfish and buy a second boat. - Bob
976.11	How about a Lark?	EXIT26::REED		`Mon Sep 19 1988 19:09`	14
	I too am interested in these responses as I am in a similar position to that of .0's. A boat that was suggested to me, but not yet mentioned in this discussion, is the Lark. I used to see Tufts University's fleet of Larks on the Mystic Lake in Winchester Mass. and they seemed the right size (around 14') for single handed sailing and trailering but with a little more room and complexity (jib and spinnaker) than the Laser-type boats. Mention of them has been sprinkled throughout this notes file but I was wondering if anyone could share some specifics.