Which one to buy????

So the debate is heating up...I arrived down here in Omarama and decided to download my e-mails...that was a mistake...15 e-mails about restoring the Janus or we can't afford a glider or we should buy a single seater so a few can go contest flying...and on and on it goes. So to more productively use my time I went and talked to some real pilots who fly gliders and have some experience training X-Country pilots. The parameters were; we are looking for a easy to handle, sensible two seat glider that is tolerant to some mis-handling especially near the ground (landing out), x winds, rigging, comfort, easy of getting in/out and lastly performance in the air. After a couple of hours, a good look at GQQ (Duo XL) and a coffee here is my humble opinion. Buy a DuoXL. Forget about a DG1000... Why - Duo's have better handling, shorter stopping distance, better vis from the back seat on finals (due to landing flap), more cockpit room, easier rigging (very important esp given our constant drama with GPZ/GEO), probably better long term support from the manufacturer, slower minimum speed on approach, greater options for water ballast (max AUW of 850kg's), getting in and out is no worse than a DG, at speed the polar is better (for you racer types), one piece canopy, and it looks better. There are some down sides - the DG has more aerobatic options (but who wants to fly upside down anyhow...), it spins better (yip I want to do that in the mountains), the tail ballast is fixed which in some cases in a better option, there are probably second-hand ones about, the Duo's have had a couple of under-cart problems which I think are almost sorted, at 50-70 knots the performance is probably similiar to a Duo (and 50-70 knots is the speed most club pilots fly at...). The manufacturer issue should not be over-looked. DG/LS haven't produced a new glider in some time now. Think LS10 and DG1000/808...at least 10 years old. The other surprise to many has been the suggestion that the DG factory is going to charge for annual maintenaance releases for older gliders next year...hmmm...not a move that inspires confidence. Shempps have changed the Duo 3 times in the last 15 years, are using the XL fuse for the Arcus and Nimbus as well and are therefore more likely to provide support long term...but then again who knows in this topsy world??? Have I flown the XL...no cos it's so bloody windy you wouldn't really get a good sense of the glider while you fight to stay airborne. Maybe tomorrow... Should the club consider a single seater instead (the cheaper halfway decision)...not in my biased view. If you want a flash single seater go buy your own one. There are plenty available and plenty of joint ownership options. We are a club, we provide training (GPZ/GEO), we provide early entry to base level contests (PW5's), we provide help in X-country training (Janus til now), and we do trial flights (GPZ/GEO). I hear the suggestion that the Janus is still a good X-Country trainer...it was once but times change and the world moves on...if we use that arguement we would still have a K7 for X-country training. Anyhow I'm off to take my happy pills...find a gun and shoot some bunnies on the airfield. As look out the window there is strong wave over the Benmore's, two glider on the way to Mt Cook and another few waiting for a launch. If my partner in crime gets here some we're off to Mt Cook or Twizel...TTFN.