Advice wanted, please...

General chat about boats
realnutter
Posts: 212
Joined: Mon Aug 03, 2015 11:18 pm

Advice wanted, please...

Post by realnutter »

I bought a middle aged N12 (3214 Gryphon) on the spur of the moment, and think it may have been the wrong decision...

Lovely though she is, it's not the right boat for me... too complex, too tippy, and far from ideal for training a novice crew in...

I want a double hander to sail, and race, when the crew is available, but something a little more staid...

I fancy the idea of a bit of cruising too....

I'm thinking a Firefly might be a good choice... but there's lots of possibilities out there..

Your thoughts please.....
Matt

Int Moth K2992
Rupert
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Location: Cotswold Water Park

Re: Advice wanted, please...

Post by Rupert »

As you know,I'm a big Firefly fan, and for most of your needs, I'd say she'd be ideal. However, it depends what you mean by cruising, as if spending a long time in the boat, with camping kit or similar, then there are better boats out there, less likely to fall over and with more space for company.
Rupert
chris
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Joined: Sat Sep 18, 2004 7:43 pm
Location: somerset

Re: Advice wanted, please...

Post by chris »

There's a firefly on offer. See the for sale section of this forum.
realnutter
Posts: 212
Joined: Mon Aug 03, 2015 11:18 pm

Re: Advice wanted, please...

Post by realnutter »

Rupert wrote: it depends what you mean by cruising, as if spending a long time in the boat, with camping kit or similar, then there are better boats out there, less likely to fall over and with more space for company.
Probably only day trips, Rupert, but possibly 6 or 8 hours in the boat... I don't want to go to big as I want to be able to single hand..... And launch / retrieve on my own..

And a class without a spinnaker would be preferable..
Matt

Int Moth K2992
roger
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Location: Frome Somerset UK

Re: Advice wanted, please...

Post by roger »

I know they are heavy etc but you can pick up a cheap GP14 for very little, it is stable comfortable and I have single handed them a lot. My dad had a suit of sails from a Gull for taking the grandchildren out and it worked very well.

You could use a second hand suit of Firefly sails just as well.

As for the spinnaker just don't rig it. We seldom used it.
Hornet 191 Shoestring,
Hornet 595 Demon awaiting restoration
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sam mason
Posts: 215
Joined: Sat Feb 06, 2010 2:18 pm

Re: Advice wanted, please...

Post by sam mason »

An Albacore with or without a suit of Firefly sails ticks all the boxes
chris
Posts: 2474
Joined: Sat Sep 18, 2004 7:43 pm
Location: somerset

Re: Advice wanted, please...

Post by chris »

someone in our club mention she has a wooden Albi to move on. It's dry stored but needs a bit of work. I can make contact if interested.
Stephen Hawkins
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Location: The much maligned Swindon Town

Re: Advice wanted, please...

Post by Stephen Hawkins »

Alas, the wrong type of N12. I find the earlier ones are much nicer. Still lively though, as is the firefly, as long as you have not had too many pies...They will teach you much about balancing and trimming the boat properly....

There is a free N12 in the for sale section as well, but it will need some work.

Cheers

Steve H
Steve Hawkins

1967 National 12 2383 "Sparkle"
Michael Brigg
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Joined: Fri Jul 06, 2007 7:11 pm
Location: Gosport, UK

Re: Advice wanted, please...

Post by Michael Brigg »

I've said it before... Fairy Falcon. Think Albacore with full decking.
Michael Brigg
Rupert
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Re: Advice wanted, please...

Post by Rupert »

Dare I suggest 2 boats? A Firefly for the racing and a Mirror for the day trips? Been working well for us for 15 years!
Rupert
realnutter
Posts: 212
Joined: Mon Aug 03, 2015 11:18 pm

Re: Advice wanted, please...

Post by realnutter »

I have 3 boats already, Rupert, and am about to build a 4th....

Two Minisails, the N12 and a Frosty on the way.... all tick the boxes for racing, but none for crew training or cruising!
Matt

Int Moth K2992
Rupert
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Joined: Thu Sep 16, 2004 8:40 pm
Location: Cotswold Water Park

Re: Advice wanted, please...

Post by Rupert »

An Enterprise maybe? Lighter than the GP, bigger than the Firefly, more stable than the 12, no spinnaker.
Rupert
solentgal
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Joined: Thu Nov 11, 2010 9:01 pm
Location: twixt Chichester & Pompey

Re: Advice wanted, please...

Post by solentgal »

Or a Graduate maybe?.....or a Pacer?....I love Pacers, light, roomy, quite stable, but decent performance all round.
Sami.
realnutter
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Re: Advice wanted, please...

Post by realnutter »

I've not seen either of those for sale...
Matt

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Pat
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Location: West Wiltshire (Wessex)

Re: Advice wanted, please...

Post by Pat »

There's a Graduate for sale on the club board at Shearwater (Wiltshire). I can't remember the details though but if it's of interest I'll pop in and look.
(Half Cut and What a Lark Removals Ltd)
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