Forgiving trapeze boat...?

Originally posted by turnturtle Originally posted by Medway Maniac If you're anywhere near Draycote (Rugby/Coventry) this weekend, we are having a 'Try a 3000' session after racing on the Saturday (of our Nationals). come and say hi tony- I'm there on sat morninggiving a mate a test sail in my musto.  (Look out for a white thing with a white dorsal fin and tail poking out the water... hopefully not too close to the dam).  TT

I'll look out for you, but I'm afraid I'll have my hands full dishing out free polos shirts, meeting and greeting - it'll probably be a struggle to get rigged in time!

I wasn't gonna say anything but you did set him off guys you know what he's like  

Originally posted by Gray Daze Wouldnt the fireball be a bit overpowered?? And i did forget to include the price range, it about £3500 - £4500. I was keen on the 3000, does anyone know the minimum weight range and also how are these on handicap?

We have teams between 100-150kg crew weight in the 3000 fleet. 120 is about optimal, i'd guess, but frankly it depends upon the conditions. I'm 65kg and usually have a <60kg crew; when I sail with heavier crews I have much more power but go no faster- equally, when the wind drops we don't seem to lose much - weight placement is far more important than absolute weight. With a 55kg crew the boat feels to have no power but goes just as fast even when i'm spilling wind like mad - the lower drag matches the lower power, apparently.

I wouldn't write off the Laser 3000 if I were you, i've had both that and now the V, and have to say that while there are times when the V is lightning-fast, over all conditions and courses the difference is not so great - my club PY results this season on 1010 with the V3k have been absolutely no better than 1030 with the L3k. Also, you can do a lot now within the rules to update an L3k for very little cost.

If you're anywhere near Draycote (Rugby/Coventry) this weekend, we are having a 'Try a 3000' session after racing on the Saturday (of our Nationals). You'll be able to see the whole range from unmodified L3k's through to V3k's.

Come on then Jim, name something that can be picked up cheaply as a twin wire starter boat and WAS NOT a total flop after launch? ( So exclude the RS800 )

12 ft skiffs are rare as hens teeth over here ... Does that mean they are no good, and noone should sail them?

Cherubs? Nuff said.

RS800 - The target not the one to learn in.

I would suggest a 5k, but you have to have quite a bit of lard to sail one with any degree of success. Would set them up right for the racks though.

I bet half the people knocking the Spice haven't sailed one - they're as rare as hen's teeth.  They sound like a very good introduction to twin wiring although I doubt they'd be fast enough to be much of an introduction to apparent wind sailing.