I have 10yr old twins - they recently completed a couple of youth sailing programs, and now need their own boats to continue.

They learned on the Opti, and it has been suggested that we also look at the Sabot as it can be sailed 2-up, and will save the cost of purchasing 2 Optis. I'm assuming it can also be sailed 1-up, as if either child will engage in the sport over the longer term, it's my son.

My son is strong, 48kg, loves the idea of racing. Daughter more timid, average 10yr old size, and keen. Can anyone offer any advice on good starter boat choice/s for them? We are so new to this. Many thanks.

Would your twins be able to handle a Laser? If yes one would last them a long time, way into teen years. (Or adult!). 48kg scrapes in.

I learn't a lot sailing Sabots when I was a kid, that would be a good choice too. Especially since there are heaps of them everywhere.

Hi, they haven't tried a laser. Both struggled a little in stronger winds recently. Is the laser more of a challenge? Thanks for the suggestion, will look into those.

The sabre is a great confidence builder able to be sailed on or two up.

The most sensible thing to do would be to go to your local sailing club and see what they are sailing there.

Suggest you check out what's popular at the local off the beach sail club as they will want to join for sure. Good place to park the kids as well.
My daughters up to around 13 sailed a minnow as they have/ had their own class at Blairgowrie where family weekends and summers were spent. ( Similar to sabot) .
If you want to go out with them perhaps a sabre or laser.

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twodogs1969 said..
The most sensible thing to do would be to go to your local sailing club and see what they are sailing there.

Flying 11.

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+1 to this suggestion. - if we knew where you were located or looking to sail, we could narrow the suggestions down a bit.

having said that, have a look at this video on Sabots....
I should declare a vested interest as my daughter sails one.
the class is raced with two crew (2up) to the age of 11 and then 1 up from 12, with 11 being a transition year.
if you are anywhere near lake Macquarie around new year from 28th - 3rd, the sabot national championships will be on at Wangi with about 120 or so boats expected.
the national website will show you at what clubs they are sailed (mainly east coast & tas).

the important thing is to get them sailing within their own age group with a class / club where there are a few of the same class boats that you choose, the kids will learn off the other kids, have lots in common and there will also be knowledgeable parents to help with setup etc.

for my 2c worth..At most clubs you will find that lasers and Sabres are sailed by older youths and adults. some of the bigger boats might be alright if they just want to muck around or if you want to sail with them off the beach somewhere, but you said they were keen to race, so they need to be in a boat with rules that allow 2 up (not lasers or sabres) unless the club modify the rules to allow it for juniors.

Flying 11 is an awesome boat, but not for a 10yo starting out. - manly junior might be more appropriate, but that class has contracted a fair bit over the years.
They will learn and develop much better in something that they can manage. and after a few years in a sabot or opti, open bic, PJ, MJ etc, the F11 would definitely be worth considering.

BUT, if all you are wanting is to get them on the water to go for a sail, then ebay is your oyster (& caveat emptor !!!!).

and while I am going....whilst YA & YNSW are pushing the opti and "pathway" programme hard, we should ask how many aussie gold medallists have come out of it ? most of them came up come thru sabots & F11.

getting down off my soapbox, now....

good luck

Great vid mike_e!!!! Great to see so many kids out on the water and having a ball.

Not wanting push the sabre but refer this very short vid



You dont want anything less imo.

cheers cisco.
they are the future of our sport.
we need to feed the sport & keep encouraging the kids.
2 hrs on the water is 2hrs less screentime - that's what we are up against.

Hi mjeffries

i've got quite a few thoughts re your question/s.

Firstly it wld greatly help if i knew what state/ city your kids did their sailing - can u provide that info ?

If u want inbox/ pm is ok

Cheers
Jono

Sail in a club setting..... kids will do better this way.
What class does the club sail, get a good boat in that class not an old slow one as it will be disheartening for them.
Be prepared to upgrade ever couple of years to the next class up the ladder, do it right and you won't lose much on change over of boats.

I think Optomist dinghy are being pushed now.

My turn for the soapbox!!

If you can I would stay away from Opti's. They are fine as the first training boat (forget what they call them then) but once a kid gets older they might teach them how to sail but they teach them nothing of the extra skills required to be a competent boat person, and we turn sailing simply into a sport like tennis etc. when what kept alot of kids in the sport was making it a hobie, fun and interesting.

With Opti's you clip your mainsheet on, hardly tie a knot to set up and the class is all about cheque book sailing, buy a new XXX if it's broken, get someone else to repair a chip etc.

Get your kids to have fun first, teach them (and maybe yourself) to sand back, fix chips and re-paint a rudder blade and to think about the boat setup in general. That way it becomes interesting to them and when they get older and discover cars, booze and the opposite sex, we have more chance of keeping them in the sport!!!

Have you considered joining a club and leasing a boat through the club?


Myself and the managing director have leased a Pacer for the season from Mordialloc Sailing club and couldn't be happier. We can use it to race as well as head down whenever we like and go for a sail.


At least then you haven't invested in a boat that you may find either the kids don't like or prefer a different style.

Then once you've found something they're happy in, splash the cash.

IMO Formula Bic is the way to go, they plane and they are funand exciting to sail price is rite too!

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felixdcat said..
IMO Formula Bic is the way to go, they plane and they are funand exciting to sail price is rite too!

they look like the go !!