I grew up sailing a home-built wooden Fireball with my dad in the 70's and have now taught my children to sail in it over the last 10 years or so. We now tend to go hard and have the most fun in wind that's driven most others off the lake.
The problem relates to my desire to preserve the old boat, but still enjoy the rush of the boat planing and humming with spray shooting out from midship back. It just doesn't feel right to work the Fireball this hard, an opinion backed up with a couple of repair experiences.
I'd like to find a boat that's at least as fast the Fireball, and wouldn't mind something that would let me access the speed and thrill at lower wind speeds. Preference is for monohull, probably for no rational reason, but I love beating cats at local 'run what you brung' races. (Can't beat 'em all, but enjoy trying.)
RS800 and 49er are under consideration. Feedback will be appreciated, particularly from those who've sailed them, regarding skill requirements compared to the Fireball.
The problem relates to my desire to preserve the old boat, but still enjoy the rush of the boat planing and humming with spray shooting out from midship back. It just doesn't feel right to work the Fireball this hard, an opinion backed up with a couple of repair experiences.
I'd like to find a boat that's at least as fast the Fireball, and wouldn't mind something that would let me access the speed and thrill at lower wind speeds. Preference is for monohull, probably for no rational reason, but I love beating cats at local 'run what you brung' races. (Can't beat 'em all, but enjoy trying.)
RS800 and 49er are under consideration. Feedback will be appreciated, particularly from those who've sailed them, regarding skill requirements compared to the Fireball.