On Mon, 29 Dec 2003 11:02:52 +0000, jason wrote:

I'm done small boat sailing (not an expert, but a casual sportsman) on lakes
etc, and I've done hobie sailing on the ocean. My son has sailed with me on the
Hobie 16'.

I'd like to get him into a sport that could serve him well in college (more than
7 years off but why wait). Colleges aren't big on cats, but they are on small
boat racing etc. I would like to have him learn how to handle a small sailboat
on a nice calm day (low wind) in NJ, in the ocean. That being said, are there
any suggestions for a boat that is fast (fast setting up, and fast in the
water!) that I can launch off the beach, that he and I could have fun with, that
will do good in low to moderate wind conditions.

I don't have the $$ to have it sit in the water. A Walker Bay is cheap, easy to
maintain and can launch off the beach, but its probably a slow boat under low
wind, even on the ocean and may not hold my son's interest...


I wouldn't recommend a Walker Bay for sailing. Although I haven't actually
sailed mine, the daggerboard looks WAY too far aft to work properly. At that
size, I'd say an Optimist, Sabot, or build yourself a D4. But I think I'd go
with a laser - HUGE numbers around, fast but inexpensive...

Lloyd