Hi All,

Chasing info on Leader dinghy's.

Thinking of getting one to go out with my wife/teach her to sail/for her to learn on.

In my searches, I can only find info about them in the UK, but they have a different hull (have a chine), are they the same as the boats in AUS but with a later GRP hull version?

Is is there any Aussie association/class info for sail specs etc

any info or insights appreciated

thanks

Geoff

My son sailed a leader for a couple of seasons. He sailed it cat rigged solo but it had a jib and spinnaker as well. I have a feeling it is an Adams design. Nothing to do with the UK version. Sailed well but has a shallow cockpit. Much more comfortable to sail than a Laser but I reckon if I was trying get a wife sailing I would go for something like a Laser 2 which has the option of a trapeze or go straight to a Tasar. You want something that's reasonably comfortable to hike.

Yep, Joe Adams design. Don't think there was ever enough built for a class association. I sailed one over a weekend once back in the day, nice boat and well built if I remember but the history is a bit vague...

There's no connection with the Australian Leader (Adams design, Kulmar build) and the UK one. I sailed one once or twice years ago and my memory was that it's small for two normal sized adults.

The Aussie one is quite a neat boat that can be sailed as a sloop or cat rigged. Whether it's more comfortable than a Laser seems to depend on the sailor; there are people who prefer different cockpit styles because of different leg lengths, local conditions, personal styles, fitness etc.

Thanks for the replies everyone

I ended up getting the leader/a package of 2 hulls, (1 usable) 2 masts, 2 booms, 1 & a half rudders & dagger boards (second set are probably bin items) 2 crappy mains & 3 jibs (1 not too bad), an alloy cradle & a pretty decent trailer (not that I need another) plus other bits n pieces for $250. In the end the price & only being 500 m down the rd won me over & you can never have too many boats/Sailboards right?

I discovered the low boom yesterday so will re cut the foot so the clew/tack are a bit higher & bought a second hand main on sail exchange rated 7/10 for $125

Still haven't decided exactly how to run the mainsheet yet but everything seems to work ok so far.

All up with an EVA deck & a few hrs fiddling around/ removing the kite fittings & replacing an inspection port I should be on the water for about $500 or so.

Bit late with my input and I assume G3offo is on the water having fun. I sailed one of these for 6 years back in the 80s. For the day they were quite fast and easy to plane.

If you are still interested I have attached the brochure we had when we bought ours and the cover of Australian Sailing Magazine with it on.

(the main sheets two part onto the wire traveller near the stern and then single part from boom to the pulley on the middle of the deck.)

Looks like a Tasar jib in your pic.

I had some questions on how to rig up a Leader. Here are a few photos of mine as we had it for racing that might help.

I had a Leader, actually back then they were called a "Ring leader" then switched to just Leader.Paul Kulmar design. fast little boat but very hard not to fall out of it all the time. I kept on slip sliding away into the bay(Botany) I didn't keep it long and it did nothing for my sailing confidence until I bought and sailed a Laser. I was a teenager and when sailed with 2 up it was a real handful. Constantly capzisng... Not sure of your age but good luck sailing it. The one you bought was identical to mine.I just can't remember my sail number. Ex Sydney.

Select to expand quote

G30ff0 said..
Hi All,

Chasing info on Leader dinghy's.

Thinking of getting one to go out with my wife/teach her to sail/for her to learn on.

In my searches, I can only find info about them in the UK, but they have a different hull (have a chine), are they the same as the boats in AUS but with a later GRP hull version?

Is is there any Aussie association/class info for sail specs etc

any info or insights appreciated

thanks

Geoff

My suggestion is to let someone else teach your wife to sail, women teach women to sail better than husbands.... IMHO we tend to learn differently. Maybe get her to crew on someone else's boat for a bit

Select to expand quote

Denick said..

G30ff0 said..
Hi All,

Chasing info on Leader dinghy's.

Thinking of getting one to go out with my wife/teach her to sail/for her to learn on.

In my searches, I can only find info about them in the UK, but they have a different hull (have a chine), are they the same as the boats in AUS but with a later GRP hull version?

Is is there any Aussie association/class info for sail specs etc

any info or insights appreciated

thanks

Geoff

My suggestion is to let someone else teach your wife to sail, women teach women to sail better than husbands.... IMHO we tend to learn differently. Maybe get her to crew on someone else's boat for a bit

Looks like a tough boat to learn on. Something that doesn't put you over the rail or on trap is the go to start. I'd always point towards the Pacer as easy to move on at the bottom end of the market if more performance needed later & such a versatile boat to row & for kids to sit in rather than on. Hope it goes well for Geoff, I used to teach sailing with around 75% of students female and you're definitely correct around the differing learning styles.
Jeff.