I am in a position to buy my next boat, however am not sure yet as to exactly what it will be.
I have plenty of sailing and racing experience as I grew up through Sabots, 420's and then Lasers whilst my old man owned a Dragon. I have been sailing recreationally for the past 5 years or so on my Nacra 5.8 which can be rather WILD at times!
I want to sail and race something fast and challenging whilst not too much
"of a handfull".
I live in Perth and have started looking at what fleets are around through the different clubs.
At this stage I am leaning towards buying a 49er.
HAs any one got any advice, reccomendations pros/cons of the 49er
I have never sailed a skiff but would love to.
I will be going halves in a "weapon" as I already have the perfect crew.
What would you reccomend???
Muchos Gracias
Hey
I have a suggestion.
We are currently developing a formula 18 fleet. At preasent we have 5 Hobie tigers and 3 Nacra Infusions and a F16 Viper and we all like to mix it up together. If you like the 5.8 you will love a F18. Sailing F18's is closer to sailing skiffs than Cats as they create such apparent wind with the kite up that you have to sail it like a skiff.
They are trailable and there is one for sale in WA and plently for sail over east.
We have the Hobie Nationals in Mandurah this season.
If you want I can organise a little sail. Some of us are still sailing over winter so if you want to come for a spin let me know.
All the F18 guys are great and most of us travell around to different events. we had 5 F18's and the F16 at Geraldton regatta which was an excelent turn out especially as Gero is a bit of a hike.
I cant say too much about 49 ers as I dont know how many are sailing and where. But at the present there is 5 tigers and the Viper at Nedlands and 3 Nacras in Bunbury.
So see how you go with that little bit of info. And check out F18 on you tube and you will be hooked.
Cheers
Bevo
^^^ Hey bevo, Its refreshing to read your reply. I did a search of you tube and was wondering how the hull size and lenth compared with my 5.8. Its a little hard to judge in video.
Yeh , I definatly like the look of them and will do a little more reasearch .
Woulda been a good day for a sail today eh
I like it on the edge of outa controll!
Originally we were keen to buy a dingy /skiff but now Im all confused. lol.
Will keep you posted and maybee take you up on your offer.
Cheers,
Kearnsy
A really great boat that came out of Perth in 1980 is the Windrush "Wildfire", a 23 ft mono with a cockpit that is the envy of most 40 footers.
I know they are dated but they were ahead of their time. Get one on a spinnaker run and it will knock your socks off. You should be able to get a reasonable one for 10-12 k.
I was able to rig and launch mine on my own from it's single axle trailer which towed quite easily behind an auto or manual Falcon 6 cyl.
A couple of other suggestions are an International Flying Fifteen, the first of the planing keelers and the Yachting World Diamond. They are both exciting boats to sail.
Hey hey
I Am pretty sure 5.8 is 19 feet and the F18 is obviously 18 foot so 1 foot smaller but wider. I think the speeds upwind are comparable but when you get the kite up there is no contest we give the 5.8,s a woooopin.
I have only just got back into sailing myself after a 10 year sit out and now have done 1 season on the F18 and its excelent. Very social also we all love a beer. We sail windward leward courses (same as skiffs) coz the boats are overpowered with the kite up and we trap downwind. I believe that the speed of an F18 is similar to that of a 18ft skiff. I took a international 14 for a blast the other day. Dont get me wrong they are a very exciting boat but really hard work and I was glad to pack it up when I finished. And at the end of the day it felt fast but the F18 on the same day is faster and a little less work for the same satisfaction ha ha.
So I am pretty sure we are sailing at freo sailing club on the 11th of july come down and have a look. They have a 49er also you could compare. I will have to confirm the 11th as it is a designated re-sail day and I am not sure?? Keep looking on you tube at the boats you like and it should help
Cheers
Bevo
p.s. the last couple of days were awesome windsurfing weather pity I have not seen too many out. I dont have one
