10thTonner
Hazard to Navigation
Must tarts be served as dessert?
Dingy Racing - Ogre Sized man
- Thread starter CheapSuitG
- Start date
DougM
New member
I think the "best" boat is one with a fleet that you can race with.
We have some MC Scows that are fairly active in Longmont (USC), and some Finns, but they've been pretty dormant this year.
Doug
We have some MC Scows that are fairly active in Longmont (USC), and some Finns, but they've been pretty dormant this year.
Doug
Pretty low boom and a PITA to sail upwind in light air for big guys.
Izzyforreal
New member
I have a friend in Denver who is built like you, and yes, he has a Finn. But, who are you going to race against? There's lots of Laser sailors at Cherry Creek. I'd try my hand at that.
I've a Beneteau 14 (SE edition) and can't recommend it more highly. Its Light (148 lbs all up); VERY powerful; a-symmetrical spinnaker; self-tacking jib; carbon mast, boom sprit and tiller.... I single hand all the time (I'm 6', 195 lbs). You're not too big and perfect for a windy day. Planes easily, and the chute is great fun! Add a teenager or light 2nd crew, and you can sail with 2 too.
Downside: there are not that many boats in the US so fleet racing not likely. Hopefully that's changing, though. I haven't gone upwind next to a Melges 15 yet, but expect that it will be faster since its lighter and I believe more responsive. I outpaced a RS Aero upwind in about 10 knots of wind, but that may have been the skill of the Aero's driver and not the boat - not sure. Downwind with the chute, no comparison.
The self-tacking jib makes it a snap to single hand, and the roller-furling jib is effortless. AND, when over-powered, roll up the jib and move the daggerboard back (there are 2 slots) and the boat is perfectly balanced main only. The jib also adds a dimension to your sailing since you have the slot and a traditional main/jib sail set-up.
Downside: there are not that many boats in the US so fleet racing not likely. Hopefully that's changing, though. I haven't gone upwind next to a Melges 15 yet, but expect that it will be faster since its lighter and I believe more responsive. I outpaced a RS Aero upwind in about 10 knots of wind, but that may have been the skill of the Aero's driver and not the boat - not sure. Downwind with the chute, no comparison.
The self-tacking jib makes it a snap to single hand, and the roller-furling jib is effortless. AND, when over-powered, roll up the jib and move the daggerboard back (there are 2 slots) and the boat is perfectly balanced main only. The jib also adds a dimension to your sailing since you have the slot and a traditional main/jib sail set-up.
Brian Bennett
New member
No Brainer! VX Evo. See Vela Sailing Supply.
spankoka
Super Anarchist
A Melges 14 is a big little boat built for those with hearty appetites.
Foredeck Shuffle
More of a Stoic Cynic, Anarchy Sounds Exhausting
The B14 nee Seascape 14. I really, really, wish it had been available when I still had it in mind, forgot and bought several other boats since. Course I'd like a few others like an Evo, WASZP/Moth, and I'm still in search of a used VX/One but my wife and I share a marriage vow of, "Till death us do part, it doesn's have to be natural.", so...
Check on this ad: https://sailinganarchy.com/advert/vx-evo-043-excellent-condition/
The VX Evo is probably the best bet for sure. Production is back on track and the boats is , by far. one of the most rewarding dinghies out there, specially for anybody 190 lbs. and up.
That boat on the Ad is own by a very good guy ; it is based in Rush Creek YC and has a B and a C sail and it is ready to go sailing. Well worth it.
The VX Evo is probably the best bet for sure. Production is back on track and the boats is , by far. one of the most rewarding dinghies out there, specially for anybody 190 lbs. and up.
That boat on the Ad is own by a very good guy ; it is based in Rush Creek YC and has a B and a C sail and it is ready to go sailing. Well worth it.
Faster than an Aero?
Usually the people doing well in this class are >200 lb, or carry crew. They have some disadvantage in the very light stuff, but not as much as one would think.
The boom on an MC is marginally lower than the boom on an E or C, and not nearly as low as the boom on a Finn. It's not too hard, just stick with the post-floorboards boats (IIRC, those got nixed around 1998), since the floorboards take up about 3" of headroom.
