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Thread: What Beginner Solo Sailing Boat to Step into Sailing?

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    Lionelgee is offline YarnMaster Silver Subscriber
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    What Beginner Solo Sailing Boat to Step into Sailing?

    Hello All,

    Can anyone recommend a brand and size of sailing boat that is suitable for beginners and designed mostly for solo handling?

    I have been looking at getting into sailing since I live near the coast and have lots of beaches and a port within 20 minutes drive.

    The boat would be second-hand and include a trailer.

    I like the idea of timber or wood as a material for the hull.

    I found that the timber boats that are readily available on eBay, Gumtree and BoatSales were Hartley 16 footers. However, the advice I received from someone from a Hartley Sailing club is that the 16 footers were specifically designed for two-up sailing. Although, they can be rigged for solo sailing for very experienced sailors - which I am not. Maybe, I can encourage SWMBO to get interested in sailing too? Hmmm.

    I have powerboat experience; however, none with sail-boats.

    Any ideas folks?

    Yes, I will be visiting the Bundaberg Sailing Club shortly.

    Kind regards
    Lionel

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    I was like you, had experience in fizz boats, but not sailing. I did a lot of reading on sailing, then bought myself a paper tiger catamaran. And away I went, and wow, what fun that thing was. From that I soon moved up to a Duncanson 29, and I sailed that solo a lot, as the family lost interest. But that is a lead keel boat which has to be kept in a marina.

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    Saitch is offline OldBushie Silver Subscriber
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    Have to agree with Gordie here, Lionel. Paper Tigers are sooo much fun. Another option perhaps, is the 16' Corsair dinghy (Fibreglass).

    Although it's rated as 3 crew, in my opinion they're quite easy to handle solo, a breeze with two and have the added factor of being able to take 4-5 people and a supplies Esky so, a day cruise is not out of the question. You would benefit by finding someone with Corsair experience to show you the ropes although any 'Stick & Rag' bloke worth their salt would guide you through OK.
    That's another benefit of the POB factor as you could have a couple of knowledgeable instructors with you for training purposes.

    A mate had one in Mt Isa and the two of us had no problems with it. In fact, we both learnt to sail in it and after a few 'Learning Curves', were always at the pointy end of any sailing comps on Moondarra. My mate would sail solo if I was unavailable and I would do the same if he was out.

    A good multipurpose vessel, I reckon.
    'sit bonum tempora volvunt'


  4. #4
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    JDNSW is offline RoverLord Silver Subscriber
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    Some of my first sailing was in a TS16. They can be handled singlehanded, but you need to be strong and active. Probably a bit much boat for a beginner.

    Interestingly, my first sailing was in a Fireball - definitely neither a beginner's boat nor a singlehanded one - we did a lot of swimming.

    One that comes to mind is a Laser, but looking at wooden boats, a Mirror or a Heron are good, and if you are fairly small consider a sabot, even though it is designed for kids.

    Edit: Oops - I repeated Fireball instead of writing Laser!
    John

    JDNSW
    1986 110 County 3.9 diesel
    1970 2a 109 2.25 petrol

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    Best advice is to attend a club, see what they sail, tag along for a few races or social sailing events, and go from there.

    If you are in a club and sailing in a class where there are others, the social side of it will be so much better- you will be racing on an even playing field without handicaps having to be calculated. Plus having others around you in the same boat will be great for learning.
    My partner in crime sailed sabots as a young lass, and we sailed a NS14 together for a while in comps. Other boats included a hobie, a laser, and some other loan boats from the club.
    -Mitch
    'El Burro' 2012 Defender 90.

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    Lionelgee is offline YarnMaster Silver Subscriber
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    Quote Originally Posted by Toxic_Avenger View Post
    Best advice is to attend a club, see what they sail, tag along for a few races or social sailing events, and go from there.

    If you are in a club and sailing in a class where there are others, the social side of it will be so much better- you will be racing on an even playing field without handicaps having to be calculated. Plus having others around you in the same boat will be great for learning.
    My partner in crime sailed sabots as a young lass, and we sailed a NS14 together for a while in comps. Other boats included a hobie, a laser, and some other loan boats from the club.

    Hello Toxic,

    Funny you should mention a class. The lessons start on the 24th of October at my local sailing club.

    Kind regards
    Lionel

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    A Laser (or Lazer?) .

    Simple, quick to rig and fun.

    DL

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    Most of the clubs I've been to tend to stick to the one class of boat (akin to a make/model).
    A training / learn to sail class is also a good idea.
    -Mitch
    'El Burro' 2012 Defender 90.

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