Which Dinghy for Portland, OR (PDX) area sailing?

[Steam Flyer]

You  need to treat her better, and not make her droop hike on the topsides. Solings and Thistles are a lot less comfortable.

And Finns!    ..... all is relative

Actually , Lightnings are so much fun to sail that they don't seem uncomfortable -unless- you are either sitting in light air, or fighting big chop+gusts>20.... and with the latter, you don't realize what's happening until you either do it for a couple hours, or after you get in. But every Lightning father or husband has a story about being called out re: suspicious bruises on their family members.

Cama, when shopping for a Lightning, take a good look at the structure under the dashboard, and of course all the running rigging/fittings. Back in the 1990s I put several grand into replacing control lines & blocks/cleats. A setback for the new sail budget.......

FB- Doug

 

[camasonian]

And Finns!    ..... all is relative

Actually , Lightnings are so much fun to sail that they don't seem uncomfortable -unless- you are either sitting in light air, or fighting big chop+gusts>20.... and with the latter, you don't realize what's happening until you either do it for a couple hours, or after you get in. But every Lightning father or husband has a story about being called out re: suspicious bruises on their family members.

Cama, when shopping for a Lightning, take a good look at the structure under the dashboard, and of course all the running rigging/fittings. Back in the 1990s I put several grand into replacing control lines & blocks/cleats. A setback for the new sail budget.......

FB- Doug

Thanks guys.  It appears that some of the club members who are actively sailing are looking to upgrade to newer fancier boats so there are several boats possibly available that are actively being sailed and being successful raced locally and regionally.   And there are some older boats sitting in the yard that haven’t been in the water or even have had their covers off in years and they will obviously require more work and more careful inspections.   

All things being equal, I’m more inclined to pull the trigger on a boat that is currently being raced and doing well this season as it is more likely  to be in good shape and I’ll have the previous owner available for help.  All the club members seem to know which boats are doing well and they know all the secrets.   Plus when I do badly as is inevitable I will know it is me and not a problem with the boat.  Looks like I have a choice of at least 4 boats in this category of different ages and price points.

There are several older boats on rusted trailers that don’t appear to have been in the water in years and are more of a project than I really want to take on.  And when all is said and done after I’ve bought new sails, new lines, new tires, new cover, etc and applied lots of work, I’m not sure I will come out ahead anyway.  

 

[Monkey]

Thanks guys.  It appears that some of the club members who are actively sailing are looking to upgrade to newer fancier boats so there are several boats possibly available that are actively being sailed and being successful raced locally and regionally.   And there are some older boats sitting in the yard that haven’t been in the water or even have had their covers off in years and they will obviously require more work and more careful inspections.   

All things being equal, I’m more inclined to pull the trigger on a boat that is currently being raced and doing well this season as it is more likely  to be in good shape and I’ll have the previous owner available for help.  All the club members seem to know which boats are doing well and they know all the secrets.   Plus when I do badly as is inevitable I will know it is me and not a problem with the boat.  Looks like I have a choice of at least 4 boats in this category of different ages and price points.

There are several older boats on rusted trailers that don’t appear to have been in the water in years and are more of a project than I really want to take on.  And when all is said and done after I’ve bought new sails, new lines, new tires, new cover, etc and applied lots of work, I’m not sure I will come out ahead anyway.  

You are absolutely correct in going for an older, but active boat. It’s amazing how many little, but expensive upgrades are out there. 
 

I still laugh about my dad selling his boat because it was a “slow hull.”  The guy who bought it dominated with that boat. He’s one of the best in the world in a Lightning now, so obviously moved into a new boat, but it was funny watching my dad try to come up with excuses. 

 

[eyeshotpar]

i heard Daysailor nationals are in Eugene soon? 

 

[Geep]

Teach the kids in a smaller boat first, I'd say. Before you get a keel boat....

 

[eric1207]

I'll give a shout out to Vanc. Lake.  A closer commute means you will sail more often.  I raced my Lightning there many times in the 1980's.  It was  a great, inexpensive, family venue then and I'm sure it still is.  .   I wonder if any of the old timers are there.  Great people and families; Dr Phil P, John DeB. Jerry N. or the Hickman clan.  Thanks for for bringing up the memories.