Your feedback

So what else do you want to know while you`re getting started? Ok! so we went on holiday. Had a fantastic time and got hooked on sailing. We bought a laser Stratos, and there the fun ended. No club would have us as a member for two reasons,

1)We did not know two members who would support an application.
2)they did not have any other members with the same boat (surprise).

How do we enter this exclusive world? I thought sailing was opening up to the world or was the RYA man telling fibs at the boat show? My question is... exactly how do you join a club if you are new to sailing?

From Rohan Veal
Moth sailors - what do you think about our review? The International Moth Class is currently having a resurgence around the globe. Numbers are on the increase and many more new boats are being built every week. Recently Moths have been known to pace 14' skiffs, double handed catamarans, B14's and even A class cats. They are not the easiest boat to sail, but never get boring and are amazingly fast!

The current moths are very strong in construction, beautifully built and weigh around 11kgs. They are also very simple, but you can make them complicated if you want them to be. Due to increasing demand, reasonably new moths retain their value very well also. The following is a quote from Mark Thorpe (Australia), current Moth World Champion... "The moth is the only true development dinghy class in the world and yet our last 3 world championships have been won by the same design, the Hungry Tiger.

This is a fantastic marketing opportunity for the class because there is a place for all types of sailors in moths. Take the recent Japan worlds for example, there were enough Hungry Tiger designs racing to satisfy the one design sailors. In addition, quite a few sailors competed very well with their own designed and built boats, which satisfy the 'do it yourselves' mothies. The ages of the sailors in the top 10 ranged from mid 20s to mid 40s. The ages in the fleet ranged from 20 to 60 and there was even a lady sailor in the top 10."

From Roos Eichhorn
Time-out for the Europe in 2008 Olympics? Yes!!! I think the best class to replace the Europe,is the Flash. It is a very entertaining boat with a good competition and its great for girls after the optimist and splash. So with the flash you have an complete program for the youth to learn an grow in sailing matches and after that you go to the Flash, which has more possibilities. So I vote for the Flash.

From Rens kevanriel
Time-out for the Europe in 2008 Olympics? Young people at the age of 18 are still studying and at the same time are looking for something else to sail in. It is a time of high costs and low money. At the same time a luxury-problem occurs: How do I proceed my sailing career? If one prefers a single handed boat there are various possibilities:

1.Europe 2.Flash 3.Laser 4.Laser Radial How do you expect us to pay big money for a Europe? Money has to be spent on rent and food!! That leaves us with a choice between Laser or Flash. Since the Laser is also rather expensive, the solution is a Flash. This is a dinghy Young people can effort especially when they already own a Splash. Than a little more money needs to be spent on a new sail and longer jib and a Flash is yours!

This way you can sail as many years as you want. This way sailing is possible for big group of people!! This is a great way to get as many participant as possible on the national and international waters and the best helmsmen will win (and not the richest one). I would like to sail a boot that means something in the world. And when the Flash has an Olympic status, I will certainly switch from splash to a Flash after my 18th birthday.

From Jamie Whit
Hornet sailors - were we fair to your boat? The Hornet as well as all of the things you have said, also has in the spaces which you have left as N/A are The boat is tremendous value for money as second hand boats cost hundreds less than Fireballs/505s/FDs The 'Small but keen racing circuit' turned 50 boats to its nationals. More than the 505 and many other classes.

From Colin Chettleburgh
Splash the new Laser? I don't feel Splash competes with the Laser. It is an altogether lighter, smaller and more manageable boat which appeals (in fact was designed to) to helms who had out-grown Optimist. Even Radials and 4.7's can be a handful for these helms, who will probably have difficulty launching and recovering one on their own. Laser would be an obvious choice for someone moving on from their Splash, although the Flash (same hull, larger rig) has quickly gained popularity in the Netherlands with 200+ being sailed after only two years.

From R Cooper
Right move in the crowded Hamble? Defiantly, racing for the last few years has been very crowded which yes, makes it exciting but also causes accidents and often gets in the way of sailors achieving a true performance. i sail a Merlin rocket and we came 3rd last yr, i picked up the first female which was nice, but our performance could've been better if there were less boats in the way around marks and up the channel. i know that's an obvious thing to say, but as long as you have enough interest and can afford to be selective then there's nothing wrong with dropping an asymmetric class.

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