Lower back issue - dinghy or keelboat?

   Just a question relating to peoples thoughts or experiences. I have a lower back problem caused from a car accident resulting in two damaged discs and occasional back spasms. I am looking at taking up sailing after a number of years, either in a dinghy or a small keelboat. My question is which would be better for me? Probably no simple answer, but any thoughts or guidance. Doctor told me not to try powerboats or off road driving due to possible shock loads.

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pij27 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Groupie Joined: 27 Jul 10 Location: Ryde / Tilbury Online Status: Offline Posts: 44	Post Options Post Reply Quote pij27 Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Lower back issue - dinghy or keelboat? Posted: 12 Mar 18 at 11:24am
	Just a question relating to peoples thoughts or experiences. I have a lower back problem caused from a car accident resulting in two damaged discs and occasional back spasms. I am looking at taking up sailing after a number of years, either in a dinghy or a small keelboat. My question is which would be better for me? Probably no simple answer, but any thoughts or guidance. Doctor told me not to try powerboats or off road driving due to possible shock loads.

Do Different Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 26 Jan 12 Location: North Online Status: Offline Posts: 1312	Post Options Post Reply Quote Do Different Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 12 Mar 18 at 12:32pm
	I know nothing of medical issues. However, although I currently sail trapeze dinghies if I wanted a simple and easy time with the safety net of some stability to limp home if I had an issue I would definitely go for a K1. I know a past wild man now of a few more years and he loves his, especially for a winter series; no falling over 😏

423zero Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 08 Jan 15 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 3384	Post Options Post Reply Quote 423zero Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 12 Mar 18 at 1:26pm
	What launching facilities do you have ?

pij27 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Groupie Joined: 27 Jul 10 Location: Ryde / Tilbury Online Status: Offline Posts: 44	Post Options Post Reply Quote pij27 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 12 Mar 18 at 1:57pm
	Not sorted out anything yet. Depends on whether look for dinghy or keelboat

jeffers Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 29 Mar 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 3048	Post Options Post Reply Quote jeffers Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 12 Mar 18 at 2:42pm
	I would say dont go for anything that requires full on hiking dinghy wise. It also depends on what sort of sailing you wish to do (cruising or racing).
	Paul ---------------------- D-Zero GBR 74

pij27 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Groupie Joined: 27 Jul 10 Location: Ryde / Tilbury Online Status: Offline Posts: 44	Post Options Post Reply Quote pij27 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 12 Mar 18 at 3:58pm
	Would probably look at cruising as most racing seems to be lots of leaning and or hiking on a trapeze

423zero Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 08 Jan 15 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 3384	Post Options Post Reply Quote 423zero Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 12 Mar 18 at 6:07pm
	inland or sea ? You need to think about handling boat ashore, more likely to injure yourself handling boat ashore than sailing.

Sam.Spoons Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 07 Mar 12 Location: Manchester UK Online Status: Offline Posts: 3370	Post Options Post Reply Quote Sam.Spoons Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 12 Mar 18 at 6:15pm
	Most dinghy racing does indeed require much hiking and effort, the physics is quite unescapable, the more righting moment you have the more power you can generate and the faster you will go. For cruising that doesn't matter as speed is not usually of the essence. I have a slightly dodgy back and would probably not be happy racing a Laser, the Blaze is pretty kind to knees and backs but it is not a suitable boat for cruising. I'd suggest a sit in dinghy like an Enterprise, anything heavier is pretty much unmanageable singlehanded off the water (which you say you are considering in your other thread). or, provided you can use a vehicle to launch and recover, a small keelboat. You'll need a winch on the trailer too and a slip you can use for a vehicle launch to have any chance of managing it alone (my mate with the Stratos Keel manages fine on his own.)
	Spice 346 "Flat Broke" Blaze 671 "supersonic soap dish"

Rupert Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 11 Aug 04 Location: Whitefriars sc Online Status: Offline Posts: 8956	Post Options Post Reply Quote Rupert Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 12 Mar 18 at 7:15pm
	Get a sailing bag with wheels and a dolly wheel on the front of the trolley. It was the lifting my back spasmed over. Otherwise, get a boat with some depth to the cockpit, and one which you can perch on the deck and still keep it upright, rather than having to always hike. For a single-handed boat, I've found the Lightning 368 ideal. Old-fashioned double handed boats tend to behave well, and reefing is always an option. Only get a keelboat if you don't have to take it off the water every time, I'd say. The K1 is small enough, but you'd need a team for the Stratos or Venture keels.
	Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686

Wiclif Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Groupie Joined: 04 Oct 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 79	Post Options Post Reply Quote Wiclif Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 12 Mar 18 at 7:51pm
	All back problems are different. I had a back operation back in the year 2000. Some days are ok and some when I wake up the next morning my back says “you shouldn’t have done that yesterday” I have stuck to dinghies - or nearly, I currently own and enjoy a K1. I have tended to avoid bigger keelboats as the loads are a lot higher. You are as likely to have back problems with the rigging or launching of any boat as when actually sailing. If you sail the same class of boat as others at the club then you are more likely to get help when launching or recovering the boat.