Is the Byte dinghy a good boat to learn to sail on?

Posted by pingpongtits@reddit | sailing | View on Reddit | 22 comments

I used to be a casual intermediate sailboarder but I'm older now and not as strong as I used to be. My sailboard is extremely heavy and it's an 80s model. I have a chance at getting a Byte dinghy. I've been casually browsing used little sailboats for some time now and occasionally run across older Sunfish and Lasers. I can't afford much more than a few hundred dollars so the pickings are slim. Are Bytes easy to turn back over after you flip them? Do they flip over easily? This would be for a small bay in Nova Scotia. I would be learning on my own through trial and error.

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22 Comments

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MapleDesperado@reddit

Check out the Wiki listings for the Byte, Sundish, and Laser. Think about your own weight and fitness level, and think about where you’ll sail - typical wind and water states. One of them should be ideal. I’d wonder about a $500 Byte - is it a great deal, or a gateway to expensive repairs?

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pingpongtits@reddit (OP)

I'm around 120lbs. The boat I'm looking at is $1200 but it's still a question whether I can afford it or not. That's a lot of money for me, so I'm hesitant.

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MapleDesperado@reddit

The Byte or the Laser 4.7 should be a good fit. Both can be capsized easily, but both should be relatively easy to right. And both should be easy to sell should you decide you’ve picked the wrong boat. The Laser might be a bit better in that regard. If there’s one in your vicinity, you could look at local sailing clubs. Probably not yacht clubs, but small cooperative sailing clubs that offer lessons on club-owned boats. Any chance you’re near Shelburne? Halifax? Google would be your friend here, although you might also find success searching Sailing Canada’s “sailing school” directory. Best of luck!

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pingpongtits@reddit (OP)

Thanks! I'm on Cape Breton. That sounds like a really good idea. I really wish I could find a little affordable boat. Maybe through a sailing club I could find something. The Byte I was looking at fell through, as I forgot that I need to buy some glasses and I can't afford to get it now. I'm hoping to find something for around $800 and I don't think I'll be able to find anything for that kind of price. Feeling pretty sad about it right now. It's hard to dream about something for decades only to be thwarted at the most opportune time.

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MapleDesperado@reddit

You could also ask around to see if you can find an old Mirror, or a pram.

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pingpongtits@reddit (OP)

Right now, I'm open to anything that has a sail that allows me to sit to operate.

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wrongwayup@reddit

Yup great choice. They are for people too small for Laser full rigs and we’re on the scene before the Radial kind of eclipsed them. If you’re not trying to race it and you’re below average stature it’s great.

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pingpongtits@reddit (OP)

Thanks! It fell through, but I'm hoping something else about the same size appears on the horizon. Finding affordable tiny sailboats is difficult.

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3-2-1_liftoff@reddit

If you are larger than the average bear, they also make the Megabyte. Yes, they’re a blast to sail and great to learn on.

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d3adfr3d@reddit

We used to have a few bytes at the sailing school I managed years ago. They were the go-to after hours instructor regatta boats because they were fast, fun, easy to rig, and reward aggressive behavior. The sail is much smaller than a laser, so it's significantly more forgiving after a few beers when the breeze is up or when you're sailing really hot reaching angles. Yes, they are extremely easy to capsize and right. We used to teach 8 year old kids on them, so I would say they are appropriate to learn on. Just be prepared to get wet.

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pingpongtits@reddit (OP)

Thanks much! This sounds encouraging. I just really really want to get out on the water.

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GulfofMaineLobsters@reddit

I was going to say pretty much exactly what he said. So basically I’m just here to say “can confirm”

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estrogenized_twink@reddit

if you're looking to offload your sailboard I'm in the market, i'm in the panhandle area

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pingpongtits@reddit (OP)

The panhandle area of Nova Scotia?

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estrogenized_twink@reddit

florida XD

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bebopbrain@reddit

I have a Byte that I keep on a pond. I can throw a tennis ball across the pond. I would sail on the pond when there was wind, coming about almost continuously. My child learned to sail on the pond alone with minimal instruction. They were probably 10 years old and I didn't have to worry about anything going wrong. We also sailed on larger lakes, since car-topping is easy. As my child got larger (and maybe I did) we were too heavy together and the boat wouldn't self bail well. But it was still fun. Sometimes one of us would swim so the boat would empty out. I don't recall any problem righting the boat. I also don't recall capsizing violently. I think I only tipped it over as a joke. Last winter a snow plow gouged the length of the hull, like the Titanic. I haven't inspected the damage closely yet. tl;dr If the boat is ready for the water, go for it.

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pingpongtits@reddit (OP)

Thanks, that's encouraging. I'm a lightweight, so it sounds ideal.

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the_real_jsking@reddit

Byte is an excellent training dinghy. Rig is fun to fine-tune as you sail if you set up all the sail controls for racing. Very fun, very forgiving, quite wet. Get it!

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pingpongtits@reddit (OP)

Thank you. Now I'm all excited. Do you think $1k is a reasonable price?

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hackshowcustoms@reddit

Bytes are great boats, think of them like a laser but modernized and simplified. They also make a larger rig to turn it into a CII or "super byte" which would be a fun upgrade when you get some experience.

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pingpongtits@reddit (OP)

Thanks! I can see where that would be a fun thing to try.

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BitterStatus9@reddit

Don’t know about the Byte. But check out r/dinghysailing for more feedback.