Topaz omega vs. RS toura
Hey all, debating acquiring a sailboat and wanted some outside opinions. Use case would be casual daysailing with 2-4 adults and launching from a beach. We’re also looking for something with a spinnaker.
With these considerations we’re debating the omega and toura and wanted to see experiences and concerns anyone has. We’re leaning towards the omega but heard some things about stability and durability (mast filling with water when flipping and hull cracking near stress points). Also if there’s any alternatives out there we haven’t considered yet, (we’ve looked at wayfarers and the rs venture but want something below 400 pounds).
A problem for us is that we’re based on the US Gulf coast and the used market for what we’re looking for is pretty light. The sailing clubs near us use Melges 15s, but with 4 adults we’d be overloading that on crew weight.
For some extra info, we used to own a Laser Bahia but upgraded to a hunter 22. While the Hunter has been a great boat, we want something smaller thats easier to step the mast and launch. A hurricane took the pier we used to tie the hunter to, and stepping that mast every time we want to sail has been less than pleasurable. Our town lets golf-carts on the beach so something we could tow to the beach and launch by hand is what we’re looking for. There are a couple catamarans here that also launch from the beach but we’re monohull elitists who live for the heel.