How to choose the right boat for you - part 1.

When you start sailing, you most probably gonna start is one of the following: a steady, stable learning dinghy in one of the clubs or a yacht with a keel. Both have its own advantages, but to really learn sailing and be good in it, you need to practice in a dinghy (see the definition in my earlier posting). Not surprising, that most of the successful yacht racing sailors are coming from a longer dinghy background.
Well, assuming, that have a solid knowledge of how to navigate around in a boat, after a certain point comes the question, which is the best boat for you, what kind of boat should you buy (or choose in your club)?

If you're not sure of your knowledge yet, older or have kids and need a stable boat without the chanche of capsizing, you should choose something like a Pirate, a Laser 2000 or a Laser Stratos. These boats can carry multiple people (2-3) at the same time, so they are perfect for sailing learning or teaching. They usually carry a smaller sail area, so you can evade scarry situation in case the wind would strenghten during sailing, and most probably you will stay dry. These boats maximally fulfill the those sailors, who have relaxation on their mind when they go on the water.

But some of us change from keeler yachts to dinghies not for relaxation, but for the speed offered by the light, planing hulls and relativelly big sail areas, like on the 470, 49er, Laser Vago, Laser 2, Laser 4000, or the RS Performance series. On these boats you will definitelly get wet, maybe even capsize, but will have the possibility to experience how does it feel to fly over the water on a trapeze. The only problem, that after these boats getting back on a keeler yacht is like getting out of your Porsche and boarding a horse carriage or bus. Of course, to sail these boats to their maximum needs a certain ammount of practice and skill, and of course, the beginning of the learning curve can be painful.

Next time, I go into details!