Yo Bad Dog,

Let me know the next time you go out for a run, I mean sail. I want to take one of the Finnsters for a spin. I read an interesting thread on Sailing Anarachy about the Finn.

This is one of the posts from the thread discussing dingy suggestions for the over-30-crowd with alittle weight around the hips.

Post #6
"You're the perfect candidate for a Finn. I'm 48 years old, 5'11", 230 pounds. I also race a Finn, and believe me, of all the racing I do on various boats, my Finn is by far the best boat. Its a thrill to sail, very challenging physically, but is also very comfortable between the padded hiking pads and the nice, large cockpit. I know that Finns can be a bit intimidating, but believe me, buy a boat, do some practicing, and enjoy. There is also a lot of racing within the US... go to www.nafinnclass.org. Ian Bostick lives in your area, and he's very active with his Finn.

As for the boom being so low? Its not as bad as you think. Upwind, the boom is sitting on or near the after deck, to be sure. But, when you tack, you ease the main, everyone does, and the boom pops up so that you can get your head under it. That, plus you get pretty used to swooping down when you tack to get under the boom, then popping back up on the other side while you resheet the main. Downwind, while jibing, simply ease the vang, again, we all do, and the boom lifts on the jibes. You then retighten the vang on the other side one coming out of the jibe.

Go to our website, click on the photo gallery, and check us out. They're very affordable, depending on what you get. I good Vanguard can be had for $2k for aboat that needs a bit of help, to about $3500 for a very nice boat, then just throw in a carbon fiber mast and a sail, and you're all set. Forget the wanna-be's... go with the Finn. You will NOT regret it. I've been back in the class for two years now after a very, very long hiatus, and between the people and the boat, its the best sailing decision I've probably ever made. "

David
504.382.8469