At 14:39 05 May 2009, vic20owner wrote:

I regularly see older planes in the $10K USD range (which is well
within my price range).

When you say that range, do you mean 10 to 20 Kbucks? If so, then you've
got a lot to choose from. If you really mean around $10K, then what are
you actually seeing out there in the market for that amount? Probably old
wooden gliders (nothing wrong with wood), the Schreder homebuilts, and the
1-26.

I'm assuming this is happening in the US. The 1-26 is what it is, and it
isn't for everybody. Surely you've flown one by now. The advantages are
that it has a great support network, including its own one-class contests,
there are always some for sale and it's easy to sell one when you want
to.

Another consideration - you can get twice the glider for the money if you
have a partner. On the other hand, choosing the right partner is probably
even more important than choosing the right glider. On the gripping hand,
a partner is pretty much obligated to come and get you when you land out.

As others have said, insist on seeing a *recent* weight and balance.
Better yet, bring your own scales or watch while it is weighed. Gliders
never seem to get lighter as they age.

Don't buy a two-seater for your own private use. Use the club gliders or
rent one when you need one. Have you disassembled a two-seat Blanik? If
it's hard to assemble, you won't go cross-country.

(Oh, another advantage of the 1-26, as the fans like to remind everybody:
the retrieves are shorter.)

Jim Beckman