small sailboat for coastal ocean: laser, or something better?
 

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...

TY for the advice!
Jason Shohet

small sailboat for coastal ocean: laser, or something better?
 

Find out which "One Design's" the colleges are using in there
racing/sailing programs, and go from there, You may be able to purchase
an older model out of the fleet from them too. UD



http://community.webtv.net/capuglyda...inUglyDansJack

small sailboat for coastal ocean: laser, or something better?
 

small sailboat for coastal ocean: laser, or something better?
 

If your son is 7 years from college, he's about 9 or 10 years old.
IMHO, his best shot at getting interested in competetive sailing is a
summer in a "sailing academy" program at a local yacht club. Unless
he is taught by people who know what they are doing, and gets to
compete, there is no chance of his being interested. You can't just
sail a small boat around by yourself and learn to race.
--

small sailboat for coastal ocean: laser, or something better?
 

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

small sailboat for coastal ocean: laser, or something better?
 

On Mon, 29 Dec 2003 19:09:13 -0800, "Lloyd Sumpter"
wrote:

But I think I'd go
with a laser - HUGE numbers around, fast but inexpensive...

===============================================

Laser's are a good training boat for collegiate dinghy racing but I
agree with a previous post which recommended finding a junior yacht
racing program at a nearby club. The yacht club junior programs offer
structured instruction and competitive racing experience. They are
the primary training ground for college sail boat racing. Some clubs
offer junior level instruction to non-members but it depends on local
policy.