100kg - what singlehander dinghies to sail?

[Jono]

Turning 55 and most likely to buy a Laser, even though I'm 10kg too heavy. I sailed the 2017 World Masters at 99kg so know what I'm in for. I actually gave up the Laser when they went to trapezoid course because I was 90kg even back then.

I know all about the Finn and OK but don't have a lot of time to fiddle and play, or the budget to keep up.

I keep seeing the next big thing being announced but am a bit off the pace as to what works for the big fellas. So what of the Aero, Contender, Musto skiff, RS something etc can cope with 95+ kg? What other classes should I know about? Do any heavyweights sail a Waazp? No UFOs in NZ.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Bruce Hudson]

Turning 55 and most likely to buy a Laser, even though I'm 10kg too heavy. I sailed the 2017 World Masters at 99kg so know what I'm in for. I actually gave up the Laser when they went to trapezoid course because I was 90kg even back then.

I know all about the Finn and OK but don't have a lot of time to fiddle and play, or the budget to keep up.

I keep seeing the next big thing being announced but am a bit off the pace as to what works for the big fellas. So what of the Aero, Contender, Musto skiff, RS something etc can cope with 95+ kg? What other classes should I know about? Do any heavyweights sail a Waazp? No UFOs in NZ.

Thanks in advance.

G'day Jono! Welcome to my world!

In Auckland, there are no fleets but the Laser, a small OK fleet, and a small A Class cat fleet. There is also the Zephyr and 3.7, but... for smaller lighter sailors. The Jollyboat sailed one up looked promising for a bit - but its been a while. There are the occasional larger Paper Tiger sailors, but more the 90 kg than the 100. Not sure about the Waazp - but my impression is that they won't fly so early with someone our size on it - meaning out the back door.

I love the concept of the Musto Skiff - and I was aware of one that raced at RAYC, but no fleet.

Best option is to buy a Laser, and lose some weight!  Hope to see you on the water next summer if you do! (Being 99KGs, I have to lose weight too - but less than you - lol).

 

[tillerman]

Turning 55 and most likely to buy a Laser, even though I'm 10kg too heavy. I sailed the 2017 World Masters at 99kg so know what I'm in for. I actually gave up the Laser when they went to trapezoid course because I was 90kg even back then.

I know all about the Finn and OK but don't have a lot of time to fiddle and play, or the budget to keep up.

I keep seeing the next big thing being announced but am a bit off the pace as to what works for the big fellas. So what of the Aero, Contender, Musto skiff, RS something etc can cope with 95+ kg? What other classes should I know about? Do any heavyweights sail a Waazp? No UFOs in NZ.

Thanks in advance.

The RS Aero 9 is suitable for sailors up to 100kg.

 

[spankoka]

The Hadron H2 is sweet, but not cheap. 

 

[Alan Crawford]

Weta trimaran 

 

[The Q]

If they have them where you are get  a Phantom, the UK champion one year was 114kg, I borrowed one one day when I was 100kg, and won all three races that day... On my laser, normally well down the fleet..

 

[skslr]

VX EVO looks great, it does have the hull length to properly support your weight.

Devoti D One is aesthetically challenging, but you can cartop it

An RS Aero would be worthwhile if class racing is available, but the 9 m2 sail will not do anything about the hull being quite small for anyone 90+ kg.

 

[Bored Stiff]

Unless you are super competitive, which frankly at 55 you are probably not, being the “right” weight is exaggerated.  There are plenty of 100kg Laser sailors who win races at club and local level.  

 

[onepointfivethumbs]

Sometimes I feel like these threads are just chumming the water...

Get a Finn. Strong Masters' Circuit. Used boats are plentiful and cost efficient. Active in the land of the Long White Cloud. Heck, you guys are 2/2 for Gold Cups

 

[Stanno]

As a fellow member of the Centurion Club, I enjoy sailing my Laser from time to time .... but I utterly LOVE sailing my Melges 14 with the big rig ... I'll never be able to afford a Reichel Pugh designed yacht, but I am always entranced by the shape of the bow section of the M14 slicing upwind as I hike ...  and yes, its seriously quick ...

 

[jlrubin83]

I'm not sure what country you live in but a class that is really under the radar here in the US is the MC Scow. Just had nationals with 119 boats. Single or double handed and at 220 pounds you would be perfect. I've been a Laser/Sunfish sailor for 45+ years and just got tired of the builder/ support drama. The MC is built and supported by Melges, parts are easy. The boats are fast and stable. Been a major winner for me. I'm much smaller than you so I can take grandkids as crew.

 

[Bruce Hudson]

Jono (at least so far as I know) lives in Auckland, New Zealand. There are some pretty good classes to choose from above - however most don't have a good fleet in NZ (including Auckland). Maybe there is demand to set one up - or for the Finn to make a comeback... but for now, the only adult single handed classes one design classes raced in the Auckland I am aware of are:

• Laser Standard / ILCA 7
  
• Laser Radial / ILCA 6
  
• Laser 4.7 / ILCA 5
  
• Farr 3.7
  
• Waazp
  
• A Class Catamaran
  
• Weta
  
• Paper Tiger
  
• Zephyr
  
• International Moth
  
• OK Dinghy
  
• J14
  
• Finn (though irregular)
  

For sailors who are 100 kg, the only ones are Laser Std, OK, Finn, Weta, J14 and A Class. Best, most regular fleet racing is still the Laser/ILCA.

Also seen in Auckland (but never a fleet) include Musto Skiff, RS700, RS Aero.

 

[Port Wine]

As a fellow member of the Centurion Club, I enjoy sailing my Laser from time to time .... but I utterly LOVE sailing my Melges 14 with the big rig ... I'll never be able to afford a Reichel Pugh designed yacht, but I am always entranced by the shape of the bow section of the M14 slicing upwind as I hike ...  and yes, its seriously quick ...

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I agree! The M14 is an extremely fun boat to sail. 

 

[Great Red Shark]

If you're not looking for a fleet and any of the Megabytes found their way down there,  a good candidate for the bigger sailor.

 

[patchy]

Can anyone who has sailed the 3 (M15; M14; and MC Scow) provide a hands-on comparison ??  

 

[Lifesave]

Look for a used Nethercott IC. Very reasonable and fast.

 

[Jono]

Thanks all.

Time (lack of), budget, and decent fleets mean I'll get the Laser. 

The Melges 14 looks real nice, and I noted with interest the comment re Aero coping averagely with the extra displacement. Also thanks for the reminder on the Weta.

 

[PurpleOnion]

VX EVO looks great, it does have the hull length to properly support your weight.

Devoti D One is aesthetically challenging, but you can cartop it

An RS Aero would be worthwhile if class racing is available, but the 9 m2 sail will not do anything about the hull being quite small for anyone 90+ kg.

This.get an Evo and never look back ( unless you like looking at slower boats)

 

[Jono]

Time flies when you have to deal with lockdown and isolation every few months. Currently locked away for the second time in 2022 as a close contact of a case.

Quick update.

Sold both the kids Starlings (9 foot intermediate trainer - 100 + boats at Nats each year), Then did nothing as like in every other marine activity nothing was for sale within my budget. Plus I walked the Heaphy Track and changed jobs in January so wasn't able to think about the 22 Nationals the same month.

Finally picked up a 199xxx barn find. The  retiring master reckoned he'd barely touched it in the last 5 years and the condition backs that up. Best of all it is all class legal standard 7 and radial 6. So the kids can use it too. The plan is to get competitive / lose weight and then I might go newer. In an ideal world the kids will get keen and we can have 2!