The Contender

   I know I'm joining this late and mostly it's all been said but I have to comment on the low boom thing:-
1, In a force 4, if you can get under the boom without letting the kicker off then you either don't have enough kicker on or you need more mast rake. When you accept this then the boom hight just isn't an issue.
2, When you let the kicker off in a tack it goes plenty high enough and help the boat not 'stick' in the tack.
I've had 2 Rondars now which have had a crack on the joint between the side deck and the cockpit (on the edge of the radius on the cockpit edge) I don't know how it happens and it's not serious but might get some money knocked off when you're buying. Also I'm beginning to think that lighter is actually better for a Contender if you are club racing because you are so much less disadvantaged in light wind that it gives you better series results.
Boats are scarce at the moment which makes me feel a bit guilty for owning 2, but it does mean that if anyone in my neck of the woods wants a demo I'd be happy to oblige and even give on the water coaching of sorts.

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Matt Jackson Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 21 Sep 04 Location: Darlington Online Status: Offline Posts: 962	Post Options Post Reply Quote Matt Jackson Report Post Quote Reply Topic: The Contender Posted: 24 Apr 06 at 12:56pm
	I know I'm joining this late and mostly it's all been said but I have to comment on the low boom thing:- 1, In a force 4, if you can get under the boom without letting the kicker off then you either don't have enough kicker on or you need more mast rake. When you accept this then the boom hight just isn't an issue. 2, When you let the kicker off in a tack it goes plenty high enough and help the boat not 'stick' in the tack. I've had 2 Rondars now which have had a crack on the joint between the side deck and the cockpit (on the edge of the radius on the cockpit edge) I don't know how it happens and it's not serious but might get some money knocked off when you're buying. Also I'm beginning to think that lighter is actually better for a Contender if you are club racing because you are so much less disadvantaged in light wind that it gives you better series results. Boats are scarce at the moment which makes me feel a bit guilty for owning 2, but it does mean that if anyone in my neck of the woods wants a demo I'd be happy to oblige and even give on the water coaching of sorts.
	Laser 203001, Harrier (H+) 36

allanorton Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 21 Nov 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 228	Post Options Post Reply Quote allanorton Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 23 Apr 06 at 7:23pm


combat wombat Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 16 Jan 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 345	Post Options Post Reply Quote combat wombat Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 21 Apr 06 at 2:11pm
	Your not selling it to me! Only joking, I can deal with low booms, I guess releasing a bit of kicker + mainsheet before the tack might help! Thanks for the opinions everyone, my budget is really very small (having boat a new boat and negotiating the purchase of a house in London...) so even the cheapest 600 might be too expensive. An IC isn't a bad idea, steep learning curve though! Moth's also interesting, but probs out of my range. I'd thought about a Blaze but I've got enough rack assisted hiking on the B14 and wanted something different, plus again not enough cash! I'll be inland on averagely small water so the Contender could be the way forward. If anyone knows of a really cheap IC though I could be tempted!
	B14 GBR 772

Contender 541 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 05 Dec 05 Location: Burton on Trent Online Status: Offline Posts: 1402	Post Options Post Reply Quote Contender 541 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 21 Apr 06 at 7:59am
	I kept finding with the KYAG approach that I always missed my head, but often got hit on the back or bum. On a couple of occasions I have managed to get trapped between the boom, the main tower and the tiller extension. Messy and very quickly wet
	When you find a big kettle of crazy it's probably best not to stir it - Pointy Haired Boss Crew on 505 8780

Black no sugar Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 04 Dec 04 Location: Somewhere between Brighton and Lancing Online Status: Offline Posts: 3941	Post Options Post Reply Quote Black no sugar Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 20 Apr 06 at 11:17pm
	Ahh that's a way to do it.. I've been trying to adopt the more traditional "kiss-your-a$$-goodbye" approach, swiftly followed by the Starfish position (sprawled flat on the cockpit floor while the legendary eye-at-the-back-of-my-head watches the boom do what booms are supposed to to (I used to be a teacher, after all). Coincidence of vocabulary: isn't "boom" a pretty adequate word for it, evocative of impending pain, when it comes to a Contender?
	Lancing SC

Contender 541 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 05 Dec 05 Location: Burton on Trent Online Status: Offline Posts: 1402	Post Options Post Reply Quote Contender 541 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 20 Apr 06 at 9:11pm
	I find that the limbo technique works quite well when tacking mine. From a kneeling and facing forwards beginning, start the tack / gybe and then lean backwards and place the back of your head where the tiller was. WOOOSH there goes the boom straight over your nose. Certainly encourages you to duck low enough that way!!
	When you find a big kettle of crazy it's probably best not to stir it - Pointy Haired Boss Crew on 505 8780

ColH Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 11 Jan 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 242	Post Options Post Reply Quote ColH Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 20 Apr 06 at 5:36pm
	Yep. Really low. Wish I'd had a carbon boom on mine - would have reduced the pain a bit . Col

Calum_Reid Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Groupie Joined: 09 Apr 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 59	Post Options Post Reply Quote Calum_Reid Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 20 Apr 06 at 3:09pm
	To emphasise how low the boom is in the contender i will always remember the day Iain Renilson (ex class guru) showed me where he sets his kicker up wind. He didnt have his main sail up at the time but he pulled the kicker on to his rough mark and I nor he could lift the boom of the aft deck. it was locked solidly too it! Thats one hell of a lot of kicker!!


Isis Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 01 Sep 05 Online Status: Offline Posts: 2753	Post Options Post Reply Quote Isis Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 20 Apr 06 at 2:06pm
	Ignore me, Im just rabling on and getting confuzzled... Edited by Isis

getafix Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 28 Mar 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 2143	Post Options Post Reply Quote getafix Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 20 Apr 06 at 2:01pm
	Go for a Contender if you sail inland on anything but a big bit of water (i.e. like Rutland, Bala or Grafham) because having sailed both, the Contender is more forgiving in terms of throwing tacks and gybes in than a 600 (or IC) which both have "interesting" manners in the corners or the kind of gusty conditions you can get inland with wind through trees One thing to consider though, the Contender boom is very low when you first get in - you'll learn to duck pretty quick For your budget you won't get a decent Open winner in either class but you will get something that's a laugh and won't need sticking back together again every 5 minutes as long as you inspect carefully before parting with the folding stuff If you can get an IC, without the A-kite at this dough, then go for it, they are blisteringly quick and really unique with the sliding seat. Most 15-20yrs old ones are glass/wood or all-glass with the really recent stuff getting more exotic. Mains last forever and you can probably get a decent 2nd hand jib from a top-of-the pile sailor if not up to scratch Or a moth.... ?
	Feeling sorry for vegans since it became the latest fad to claim you are one