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snowleopard View Drop Down
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Joined: 02 Oct 17
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Posts: 49 		Post Options Post Options   Quote snowleopard Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Jul 18 at 4:53pm
Well having struggled up the ramp for a while I have reluctantly concluded that the Finn will have to go. Also, despite adjusting the mast rake fully forward, It's still a struggle with my 6'4" 70 year old frame to get under the boom when tacking or worse - gybing.

There are lots of boats that would suit, including the Mirror clone I'm putting a lugsail on but I do still have the hankering for speed.
One hull good, two hulls better.
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Posts: 1081 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Bootscooter Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Apr 18 at 12:01pm
Good to see you went with the Finn - I joined the Class 2 years ago at the age of 47 and have absolutely loved it! Off to the World Masters next month too!!!
Finn GBR88 Gruffalo, Europe 185, Europe 252 Fizzer
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Posts: 49 		Post Options Post Options   Quote snowleopard Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Apr 18 at 12:25pm
Well after a long winter, I got out for the first time today. The Finn is a powerful beast and goes pretty quickly. With a F2-3 I was able to get it up on the plane a bit and sit on the side rather than squatting in the middle. Hauling 300 lbs up a ramp on your own is not so funny but maybe it will get me fitter. I wouldn't want to try a steep tidal ramp though.

Edited by snowleopard - 01 Apr 18 at 12:26pm
One hull good, two hulls better.
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Posts: 1014 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Do Different Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Oct 17 at 8:44pm
Nice one, not the lightest and most trendy but a classy boat none the less.
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Posts: 49 		Post Options Post Options   Quote snowleopard Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Oct 17 at 8:37pm
Thanks for all the input. My short list came down to Megabyte, Phantom and Finn. In the end it was a question of what was available so I am now the proud owner of a Finn.
One hull good, two hulls better.
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Posts: 27 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Tynesider Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Oct 17 at 3:42pm
Funny I also remember you from the PBO site (I was Caer Urfa). I also sailed offshore single handed for over 50 years and reluctantly sold my motor Sailor during the year. I am 72 and 15.5 stone and wanted still to mainly sail 'single handed', 'I thought' moving from offshore sailing to dinghy sailing would be no problem,         BIG MISTAKE, I started by trying the boats 'I liked the look of' when I eventually went for a boat I was more physically comfortable in and enjoyed sailing, I also tried them all before buying my Hartley 12 , Lasers,Solo, miracles, GP14, Toppers you name it, what you have to remember is your old knees and admit you may not be able to move as quick as you think you can, I could plan to do a tack for 3 minutes offshore, now I might get three seconds, my advice is buy a boat you can now physically handle not what might look good  Smile

Edited by Tynesider - 06 Oct 17 at 3:43pm
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Posts: 49 		Post Options Post Options   Quote snowleopard Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Oct 17 at 11:42am
Megabyte looks a good option but they seem to be rare this side of the Atlantic.
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Posts: 731 		Post Options Post Options   Quote rb_stretch Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Oct 17 at 10:47am
Originally posted by snowleopard


Originally posted by iGRF

big old rig, that Finn sail is probably two thirds the size. 

A bit unfair...
Finn 10.6 sq m
Phantom 9.75 sq m
Next question, which is more likely to give me a swim? In my laser days I only ever capsized through losing my grip on the sheet and being dumped to windward.


Hi Snowleopard,

I recognise you from th YBW forums. Finn and Phantom are the boats to consider. Phantom sail is closer to 11m in reality. I sail one myself at 15.5 stones. Old Phantoms don’t have double skinned floors so have a deep cockpit, but come with lots of other compromises due to non-epoxy construction. You can get a modern deep cockpit from JJ boats, but few around so much harder to find. Much faster than a Finn, but by all accounts Finns are also lovely to sail. Best to try both out and see what suits best.

If you don’t want to race that much then a megabyte is another option.
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Posts: 49 		Post Options Post Options   Quote snowleopard Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Oct 17 at 4:48pm
Interesting point there. Most modern dinghies have a wide scoop and narrow side decks so that in a light wind with a heavy crew one is forced to perch somewhere in the middle which is very hard on old knees. I was once forced to spend a day sailing a Pico and it was torture. I was far too heavy to sit on the edge so had to kneel in the middle and lean. 

The Laser 1 is good in that regard, as is the classic Finn hull
One hull good, two hulls better.
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Tynesider View Drop Down
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Posts: 27 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Tynesider Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Oct 17 at 4:11pm
Originally posted by snowleopard

Love the laser and in most winds the standard rig is fine. As I said in the OP, my problem is getting under the boom as my knees get older.

I know the problem of the old knees only too well and the bloody boom, I used to sail a Topper Topaz Uno but changed to a Hartley 12 (custom rigged) which has a slightly higher boom and is slightly wider than the Topaz hence giving more room to spread the old legs out, suggest try one if you can you might be in for a pleasant surprise


Edited by Tynesider - 05 Oct 17 at 4:14pm
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