Dr29er said:I have a 9 year old daughter who has started sailing in Prams and am considering getting a boat for her. As I already have two Lasers, my preference would be to buy a 4.7 rig for a Laser, but it seems like she is still a bit small for that at 75 lbs. Anyone have experience/perspective on Prams/Optis vs. Laser 4.7 for kids?
David
Newbee said:My word of warning is not to push young kids too fast into a boat which is 'only a bit too big'
I'm sure this has happened to lots of forum readers themselves (me included) and i remember at the time it scared the bejesus out of me, even though I new how to sail. I suppose if you get reliable soft winds then this somewhat becomes untrue but the time will come........
I would also question how easily a nine y/o could right a laser.
Is there a lower age limit for small rig laser racing? This could be a good guide.
keiran searle AUS said:as tony said it depends on the size of the kiddy (im a 4.7 sailor & often sail against tonys daughter casey) i think it is the height that has the biggest part to play as a 50 kg kid with a height of 6 feet would be able to hold down as much sail as a 5 foot 6o kg kid i think the right weight is about 55 kg i was 66 but have lost 10 kg so now im 56kg allmost perfect ,also fitness no good being the right size,weight without the fitness you need to be able to hike hard all the way up the beat and on the reach
The perfect 4.7 kid would be 52 kg 6 foot 4 and go to the gym 5 times a week so tony send kc to the gym and tell her to eat more
oh and good news the carbon top sections will be in for after Nationals (December) hopefully over here in aus we had them at our club a couple of weeks ago it brings a whole new weight range into the ball park cant wait
I have experience in racing both 4.7s and optis in local reggatas. so i would sugest purchasing an opti and enrolling her into green fleet then sailin it untill she is about 13 or 14. i weigh about 130 lbs and i myself have a hard time keeping my 4.7 from capcising in heavy windsDr29er said:I have a 9 year old daughter who has started sailing in Prams and am considering getting a boat for her. As I already have two Lasers, my preference would be to buy a 4.7 rig for a Laser, but it seems like she is still a bit small for that at 75 lbs. Anyone have experience/perspective on Prams/Optis vs. Laser 4.7 for kids?
David