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Original poster

Do I buy DD an Oppie or a Topper?

55 replies

Katymac · 14/06/2007 21:01

She is 9
About 4ft 8 & 4st 10

She is quite a good little sailor & has been on several oppie courses

BUT if I buy her an Oppie will she grow out of it soon

Should I buy her a Topper or should I wait until she grows?

TIA
KMc

OP posts:
Original poster
Katymac · 15/06/2007 22:11

S'OK Bibis - we didn't notice - honest

OP posts:
Kathyis6incheshigh · 15/06/2007 22:12

Just looked on Wiki - hull weights with fittings ares

Oppie - 35KG
Topper - 43 kg
Mirror - 61 kg

so you are right, it will probably be a lot easier with an Oppie or Topper.

Original poster
Katymac · 15/06/2007 22:12

No problem we are in Norfolk (we sail at Rollesby)

Come & join us

We sail on Sat (they race on Sun & it's scarey)

OP posts:
Kathyis6incheshigh · 15/06/2007 22:13

btw did you know that the original advert for the Mirror used to say 'Weighs less than most wives'?

Bibis · 15/06/2007 22:14

Advertiser was obviously not married to me then

Original poster
Katymac · 15/06/2007 22:14

Gosh an Oppie is so much lighter

I think I need one (a fibreglass/plastic one - not wood)

So shopping here I go

I can only find cheap ones half way accross the country

(there were a lot of cross posts below)

OP posts:
Original poster
Katymac · 15/06/2007 22:15

he wasn't married to me either

OP posts:
Kathyis6incheshigh · 15/06/2007 22:20

Laser Pico is 60kg apparently.

Am .

My boat weighs about 150 kg but she's too leaky to sail - bought her to do up but had dcs instead.

Original poster
Katymac · 15/06/2007 22:22

What about this one?

Do you think it's wood?

Come & sail our Mirror

OP posts:
Kathyis6incheshigh · 15/06/2007 22:24

it says it has buoyancy bags - does that mean it's wood, or do plastic ones need them as well?

would love to sail your Mirror! But am in Yorkshire.

Original poster
Katymac · 15/06/2007 22:27

Well come to Norfolk for you hols & I'll lend you the boat (there are loads of caravans around)

I'll look after your kids while you sail (but you have to take DD)

I don't know if the plastic (or is it fibreglass?) ones need bouyancy bags

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JoshandJamie · 15/06/2007 22:32

I could be wrong but I think the wooden ones are the cheaper ones. The newer fibreglass ones are better. If it's just for casual sailing, then getting a wooden oppie is fine. If she's going to try do serious racing, it will have an impact on how well she does. Then again, a new hull with crap sails has the same effect.

I started sailing a little wooden oppie and then switched to a fibreglass one and then another.

I also used to crew on Mirrors, but I didn't enjoy them nearly as much.

If she's just starting out, then go for a wooden oppie. If she really gets into it, you can always sell it and upgrade.

JoshandJamie · 15/06/2007 22:33

And yes, the fibreglass ones also have bouyancy bags as far as I remember.

JoshandJamie · 15/06/2007 22:34

see this link

These are the new fibreglass ones and they have bouyancy bags

Kathyis6incheshigh · 15/06/2007 22:35

Katy.
And if I ever get my Tideway fixed up you can come for a lovely day out in it (as long as you don't mind a bit of baling out from time to time).

Original poster
Katymac · 15/06/2007 22:35

Surely the wooden ones are heavier (weight is the main problem)?

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JoshandJamie · 15/06/2007 22:39

I think the wooden ones are heavier, making them slower.

Original poster
Katymac · 15/06/2007 22:39

It's getting it in the water that we struggle with - so I think Fibreglass is our only option

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JoshandJamie · 15/06/2007 22:40

aah- sorry misunderstood you.

Fibreglass is definitely the better option all round, but they are more pricey

Original poster
Katymac · 15/06/2007 22:44

So I keep looking for an oppie - fibreglass & cheap

I think I have my work cut out for me

I need an expert shopper

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Original poster
Katymac · 15/06/2007 23:13

I've sent an email about this one

Well halfway down - in Norfolk

So we'll see - but it's a bit much

OP posts:
Kathyis6incheshigh · 15/06/2007 23:22

If you don't get it, is there anywhere you can put a 'wanted' ad? Maybe in the class association newsletter or on one of the boats for sale websites?

Original poster
Katymac · 15/06/2007 23:27

I don't know

I can put an ad at the club

But I'm not really sure

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Original poster
Katymac · 15/06/2007 23:29

I may have to raid her bank account

Is that mean asking her to pay for her own boat?

I wonder how much she has

OP posts:
Kathyis6incheshigh · 15/06/2007 23:38

If she pays for it then she gets the profits if you make any when you sell it