What do people think of the 59er ?

I am looking to put aside some of the pension to live a little...off the rail or mainsheet on keel boats

I am blind side prop proportions - 18 stone gym and beer monster- and it seems the only assymetric for me and a mate to sail is the 59er- which appears an excellent if hike out boat

 

any views on the boat?

 

any sightings? doees it exist in the UK and Europe?

There are 59ers in the UK, supplied by Ovington Boats, see www.ovingtonboats.com for details on prices. There is also a good bit of information on them at www.bethwaite.com . Have a quick look at the automatic rigs section because it describes about some of the tests they carried out on the boat (see part 2). Don't really know too much about the boat myself but aparently they fair pretty well upwind and I'd imagine them to be more forgiving than the B14.

Originally posted by Blobby Sailed on twice - very very nice boat if you like to hike...

Sounds good

been reading up on the net about them and one quote from Hong Kong stated it was the fastest sail boat on the water in a light wind days - including 50 ft sleds!

How many are there in the UK now?

rs400's are nice boats with a good fleet depending on where you sail plus they are good for heavy weights and fast in light and strong winds

might be an option

Having sailed in 400s a bit, and borrowed a 59er now, it's a different style of sailing alogether and I'm not sure which suits me best

The 59 is a plane up wind lightweight- a true skiff. The 400 goes upwind like a little yacht. Coming from keel boats this feels good. I  would neeed to learn a new style of sailing for the 9er.

off wind the 9er digs much more apparent wind and the sheet loads are accordingly less than the 400.  The bear away and harden up are like scaletrix - smooth, quiet and fast as off  a shovel

but the 59er lacks any  marketing now in a cluttered market

-...worse it  was launched here as 'for old duffers' which it clearly is not- it takes a fair bit of dexterity, agility and tenacity to sail. I thinkit  is  an deal boat for  teaching higher performance sailing ( three can be on board easily) or for a heavy 505 helm struggling to get crew who  can trapeze.