One of the most difficult and crucial decisions to make in sailing is which boat to sail. Making the wrong choice can result in you having poor race results, struggling to control the boat, or just not enjoying your sailing.
There are too many variables involved when choosing a boat to cover them all in text, it really requires you to to extensive research into the area.
One of the first considerations, particuarly in youth classes, is weight. Below is a table of the ideal crew weights for the most popular youth classes, along with some other useful information about the boats (Source: Yachts and Yachting 2002, RYA 2002).
Boat name |
Ideal crew weight (combined for double handers) |
Breif description |
PY number |
number at 2002 Nationals |
Byte |
54-65Kg |
One-design single hander |
1162 |
29 |
Cadet |
85-105kg |
Two man racer with spinnaker for under 18's |
1432 |
122 |
420 |
110-145kg |
Two man racer with spinnaker and trapeze |
1087 |
72 |
405 |
90-125kg |
Two man youth racer with asymmetric spinnaker and trapeze |
1089 |
17 |
Laser |
70-82kg |
Strict one design single hander |
1078 |
92 |
Laser Radial |
55-70kg |
Strict one design single hander (Smaller sail than Laser) |
1101 |
110 |
Laser 4.7 |
35-55kg |
Strict one design single hander (Smaller sail than Laser radial) |
1175 |
137 |
Optimist |
38-45kg |
Single hander for under 16's |
1646 |
294 |
RS200 |
108-143kg |
One-design two man dinghy with asymmetric spinnaker |
1059 |
80 |
Topper |
51-67kg |
Single handed polypropylene dinghy |
1290 |
218 |
29er |
105-140kg |
Two man racer with trapeze and asymmetric spinnaker |
924 |
46 |
Mirror |
95-130kg |
Two man youth racer with spinnaker |
1386 |
72 |