councilling needed

General chat about boats
Rupert
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councilling needed

Post by Rupert »

You know what, it just occurred to me that the ideal boat for the kids to play around in and for me to race when too windy to go singlehanded in the Firefly would be the Laser Pico...no maintainance, choice of rigs, stay out in all weathers. There must be a very sound reason not to go that route, but I can't for the life of me think what. The one I sailed once with a race sail on went quite fast and felt quite nice. Please talk me out of this strange idea!
Rupert
Garry R

Re: councilling needed

Post by Garry R »

Rupert

Call the other AA - the drink at the weekend obviously got to you!!!

Garry
LASERTOURIST
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Re: councilling needed

Post by LASERTOURIST »

Why would a soft plastic boat be regarded as a trash bin , just because it is made from the same material?
The Pico is quite a good boat, is rig is oversized (same tubes as the laser with less canvas) and will stand 30 Kts plus (i tested) without batting an eyelid .
In my sailing cenre in Corsica when somebody insists on renting a hobie cat 16 on a hard Mistral day, and i am not quite sure of his skills i send him in a Pico, and bluntly refuse to rent the Hobie cat

The Pico is unbreakable and even the clumsiest sailor wont hurt it, while a moderately good sailor will enjoy it in high winds (where it takes full lledged expert to sail a "recreational" Hobie 16, even with a reduced "easy" , boomless mainsail)
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jpa_wfsc
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Re: councilling needed

Post by jpa_wfsc »

All very true, and they are great to teach people to sail in, child to adult - unless over 14 stone when the floor will not drain.

But the jib is a waste of space!

Why not an RS Feva? 3 sails to play with..

But there again a GRP Finn, OK or Fireball would all give you low maintenance fun!
j./

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Rupert
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Re: councilling needed

Post by Rupert »

But not the kiddie friendly option. Oh, no laser tourist, everything you say is true, and I know it, but somehow buying one seems like selling out! As for the Feva, my bank balance won't stretch to one, especially race rigged.
Rupert
Phil
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Re: councilling needed

Post by Phil »

"coming to the dark side he is" Rupert aka Lord Darth Vader. :shock:
Michael Brigg
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Re: councilling needed

Post by Michael Brigg »

What goes around comes around.

There are little 9 or 10 ft luggers coming out of harbours all over Britain that have the design ethic of the Pico. Under canvassed and over spec rig, safe for children single handed, multifunctional as tender dinghy and usable in a storm by anyone brave enough to try. There is even a certain amount of classical artwork to illustrate this!

Image

Fareham lugger, Portchester Duck, West Wight Scow, come to mind for example.

Of course when its really breezy how about this early example of a marblehead?!

Image

Wake up and smell the varnish Rupert or we'll lose you to one of these!

Image
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Rupert
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Re: councilling needed

Post by Rupert »

Now that last one is cool...
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ACB
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Re: councilling needed

Post by ACB »

The purpose of the Laser Pico is to have a trolley which fits a Firefly at half the cost of a Firefly trolley.

The plastic bit on top is disposable...

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roger
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Re: councilling needed

Post by roger »

At Clwedog this year when even the bravest wouldnt veture out Keith organised Pico racing. I thought it was horrible. Unless you sat at the back it wouldnt bear away and downwind it kept tipping me in :cry: .
And of course I was beaten by everyone else including my crew and my brother :oops:

Get the councelling Rupert.
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Nigel
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Re: councilling needed

Post by Nigel »

Hi Rupert,

how about a concept 302? It sails well. Two choices of mainsail size. And it is a lost class so will stand out from the usual plastic stuff in the dinghy park. If you want to try oone. let me know.

Nigel
Pat
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Re: councilling needed

Post by Pat »

Keep your Picos well away - this is what happens when you get a Pico near a cvrda boat - remember Roadford 04?
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Nessa
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Re: councilling needed

Post by Nessa »

I raced a pico quite recently in big winds and did very well - but I did find I kept sliding longways down the side tank and into the water. As for the kids, surely the classic option has to be a cadet?
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pegasus
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Re: councilling needed

Post by pegasus »

Would a laser not be a better option with different size rings and a fair bit cheaper?
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roger
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Re: councilling needed

Post by roger »

Greg,

Please dont swear on this forum :shock:
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