Which Boat to buy

I'm currently sailing a Europe Quite nicely on my Inland lake but am interested in upgrading to a newer, nicer boat. My current boat is a 1992 which Paid £400 for in March 2020 and refurbished during Lockdown.  I have been offered a 2004 boat that the ex-Olympian says is the fastest boat they have ever sailed for £5000. This includes a new mast and 1 used sail. (May be able to get the price down).  However I sail at a very Asymmetric Biased club where Recently there has been a build in the D-One fleet and our new RS100 fleet for the lighter sailors looking for thrills downwind with a kite.  I'm stuck between the decision to buy a Nicer Europe or a 2015 RS100 for £3750.  

I sail at leigh and Lowton and I'm about 69kg. And 16yrs old. So I'm probably heavy enough for the 8.4m 100 rig in most winds and then when it really picks up I can switch down to the smaller 7.4m sail. I bought my Europe to do some handicap racing but mostly to travel with around the country and do the class events as it's light and easy. I try to sail 3 times a week so would easily be able to become competent in the 100. And could enjoy Club fleet racing. I would be able to get a mast and sail perfect for my weight in the Europe as I would have to order brand new so there isn't a problem about that. I really enjoy my Europe and would preferably have both boats one for club racing and the other for class open events but with me being offered this nicer Europe i can't decide which one to invest in.

Edited by ...AdamCat - 22 Dec 20 at 1:54pm

Originally posted by ...AdamCat I sail at leigh and Lowton and I'm about 69kg. And 16yrs old. So I'm probably heavy enough for the 8.4m 100 rig in most winds and then when it really picks up I can switch down to the smaller 7.4m sail. I bought my Europe to do some handicap racing but mostly to travel with around the country and do the class events as it's light and easy. I try to sail 3 times a week so would easily be able to become competent in the 100. And could enjoy Club fleet racing. I would be able to get a mast and sail perfect for my weight in the Europe as I would have to order brand new so there isn't a problem about that. I really enjoy my Europe and would preferably have both boats one for club racing and the other for class open events but with me being offered this nicer Europe i can't decide which one to invest in.

Europe? That's a girls boat isn't it?

Buy the RS, at your age you'll be OK with the 8.4, I used to use the 10 when it was light, (I was 67kg and 60 something back then and knew nothing really about sailing single handed)but I loved getting the kite up and sitting back to let her rip.

It can be a bit tricky to get back into if you fall out when its puffy. There's guy on here who writes books and stuff, (Clive Ephlet is it?)sails one on a pond (Frensham) seems to like it enough to have used it for some time now. Maybe he'll be along later to give you more in depth on it than me I didn't keep mine for long enough.

The Merlin, didn't know that was a girls boat, thought it was mainly alcoholics, Girls do sail laser radials though don't they? Who's Steve Cockerill? Isn't he some old guy, who just wants to make money, why would that matter? You should just consider what fun it will be the first time you get that kite up and go hollering down a reach..

Edited by iGRF - 22 Dec 20 at 8:52pm