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My Aero is new to me. With that said I mean that a dinghy is a new type of sailing for me as I've only sailed (matches) with two others. I was the man controling (or rather trying) the jib. So not much experience doing all the boat handlings myself. This resulted in a capsize only 5 minutes on the water in my new Aero. So what, a good learning experience, I thought. Once on board again, it quickly gained speed again. And with that the adrenaline. Ok, I admit not to much wind, maybe 6 knots. But it made me feel happy that I was in controle of it all. Over the next hours I quickly learned (I hope the good way) and the grin on my face grew bigger with the hours. Man I enjoyed it. Last monday with 6 degreed Celcius and only 4 knots of wind proved something different. Sit still and also enjoy and practice tacking.
Is the boat for beginners? Maybe it isn't, but if you want to learn and want to feel what sailing is, I think the Aero is a masterpiece.
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09/11/2016 19:04:59
Posts: 0
Having recently bought an Aero (returning to dinghy racing after a 5 years break sailing a bigger boat) and now sailed on a large gravel pit in 6 races from zero wind through to what for me was survival conditions. I'll offer the following and probably also risk being flamed or banned from the site, for some of what will follow.
It is for me great fun to sail but it is a challenge when the wind gets up as proved I think my the many discussions on this forum about how to recover from a capsize and get back in the boat. (something I have yet to experience!).
IMHO it is much more sensitive than a laser to sail especially to tiller and weigh movement. But due to the centre mail sheeting is in a way easier to tack and gybe and the main sheet does not get caught on the back corners. The tiller extension is longer so you need a good tacking/gybing technique otherwise it gets in the way. I think when you get used to the lightness of the boat which makes it sort of twitchy when you over steer (which I was doing to start with) it will be easier to sail in a blow than a laser as its easier to depower with the downhaul/outhaul.
Like most dinghies, most folk can sail it in suitable lighter winds, but how suitable it is for you as a beginner when the wind gets up depends on how good your tacking and gybing technique is, how agile and fit you are and how quickly you will learn. If you end up going swimming to often and get dispirited you will probably quickly hate the Aero, and that will no be good for you or RS or your club to just have another unused boat sitting there.
Most of the folk at our club who like the Aero are no taller than 5ft 8in. One who is about 6ft (and a sailor of the same ability as I am) hates it and think its the worst boat ever made - well that's whet he said in the changing room last Sunday!)
If your are a real beginner and your club has lasers you can use I would suggest sailing them for a while and improving your balance, tacking and gybing. RS have demo boats so I would definitely make sure you sail one before buying, if possible in a range of wind conditions. I think RS also take boats to clubs for demo days at times. I guess if they read this they may post a link to more info about demos.
To put the above in context I'm 55 (70kg 5ft6in) and have always sailed and have experienced a fair few different dinghies over the last 20 years but only ever owned and raced a Laser (for 5 years) and then Enterprises (for 16 years) before buying the Aero. I was/am an advanced dinghy instructor so my technique is ok (which helps compensate for my creaky joins and lack of fitness), but I have had to resort to letting go of the main sheet a few times in stronger winds as I lost control, and so very nearly gone swimming quiet a few times. BUT every time I sail the boat my boat handling improves and I know with practice I will be able to sail with the 7 rig in up to 20/25mph winds.
Hope the above helps and whatever boat you end up sailing you enjoy it.
Neil
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09/11/2016 18:37:44
Neil
Posts: 34
I'd definitely go for AERO. It might feel trickier in the beginning, since the AERO is a very sensitive boat, but in the long run, it will make you a better sailor in short time, and you will enjoy every single second of it. Its incredibly fun to sail. Best single-handed dinghy...I call it the Laser of the future!
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21/09/2016 23:25:01
gasperisailracing
Posts: 34
I've been sailing for a few months with my better half, have bought a Laser Stratos and am enjoying getting out when possible. My other half is probably not as keen or as adventurous so I'm thinking a single handed would be fun and something I could
At the risk of being flamed, asking whether an Rs Aero is any good on an RS Aero forum - is this a good choice for a beginners single hander or would it perhaps be something for me to aim towards?
My club does have a lot of Lasers in the fleet so this may be the best option, and cheaper too .... But it's a very old design and I really like the look of the Aero.
Any helpful advise most welcome
Cheers
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21/09/2016 23:06:39
Gunn
Posts: 1
