| Author |
Topic: BOSS Questions |
 |
cberry |
Posted: 21-May-04 15:46 |
|
|
|
I'm a student sailor up in Scotland and I've been considering buying a skiff for some time now. I've sailed a Vector before (a US double-trap skiff) and done quite a bit of blasting on a laser 3000- as well as having done more than enough team , dinghy, and keelboat racing. Skiffs have always tempted me- I never considered them simply due to the price of a new boat, which is out of my student budget. I'm now considering buying a BOSS, since I've seen so many advertised at quite low prices- I'm just curious for some general information about the BOSS- how it compares to other skiffs- their advantages and disadvantages over other doublehanded skiffs. Due to my location my travelling would be limited as far as racing, I'd probably just do some handicapped racing up here plus an event or two a year - so I'd like any input from people racing them in mixed fleets. I'm also curious how much I should expect to pay annually to upkeep the boat if I sail it about once or twice a week. |
| |
|
Adam Wallace |
Posted: 21-May-04 23:52 |
|
|
|
Hi Chris,
I recognised your name from SUSA and BUSA yachting etc, I'm the guy from Durham Uni who saved you on the last day of BUSA yachting by getting the extra crew for you. I've got an ISO which I love and I would say a Boss would be a good buy for you. I know there is a Boss at Port Edgar which isn't too far from St Andrews, and probably there are some 800s and the like at Dalgety Bay and some dinghys although not as fast (4000s etc) in Dundee which i think is where you sail with St Andrews anyway.
I'm not so sure about details on twin trapeze boats as I sail single trapeze boats but as far as skiffs go the 5000 and Boss are very similar speedwise and probably pricewise. Both have suffered as a results of 49ers and 800s being newer and more popular but I'd say the Boss is still a good boat, especially for the price.
Hope this helps,
Adam.
Bosun
Durham Uni Sailing Club |
| |
|
cberry |
Posted: 22-May-04 00:46 |
|
|
|
Hi Adam!
Small (sailing) world, isn't it? Thanks for all the help at BUSA!
Because of my committments at Uni, home in the States, lack of a Budget, and location north of the border, I wasn't looking to do too much one design sailing anyways- I initially looked at the 800 but was drawn to the BOSS by its price. Of course all of this is conditional on how much I bring in this summer.
Hope to see you at some more events next year, we'll definately be at the TTT!
Chris
(New) Captain of St Andrews Sailing Club |
| |
|
James B |
Posted: 28-May-04 16:23 |
|
|
|
Hi Chris, I own the Boss at Port Edgar and as far as I know the only Boss in Scotland, so as you can guess it can be a bit lonely up here. I'm also a student so the price of the Boss attracted me to it. The boat is very fast, doesn't point too brilliantly(but who cares when you go fast enough for it not to matter), and overall is VERY forgiving- it actually sits upright in the water unlike most skiffs! It also can take a beating as it's solidly built so I would say its cheaper than a lot of boats to maintain. The only problem with handicap racing is that you tend to be the fastest boat on the course so the only interesting part of the race is the start! However if you're thinking of sailing at Port Edgar...! I'm aiming to sail an 18footer so the Boss makes a pretty forgiving training boat to get used to skiffs in.
James |
| |
|
John Shelton |
Posted: 03-Jun-04 09:34 |
|
|
|
I don't want to get into one of those slanging matches about which skiff is better or worse, but for me, the Boss is a good set of compromises in terms of performance, price and longevity. We've looked at a few alternatives, and we are just too heavy for an 800, the 5000 is too heavy for us, the 49er needs more commitment and the 14 is too much for my chequebook (having sailed one for a few years). Basically, I think the Boss is just right - it's a shame the masthead kite wasn't there from the beginning, as the switch left too many people behind, but it's incredibly good value for money at the moment, and hopefully that alone will get more boats back on the water, although I think we have a lot of work to do there, and quickly |
| |
|
chris780 |
Posted: 03-Jun-04 11:55 |
|
|
|
to cberry, what is your budget.
If you want a Boss then let me know.
Regards,
Chris |
| |
