Dinghy Development for the MATURE sailor

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On the other hand large boats - like the Boss - respond slower than little boats and a trapeze is much gentler on the body and particularly the knees than a sitting-out boat, and to cap it all an asymmetric is a lot easier (and interesting) than a conventional kite.  So the idea of a 1 string Boss is a good one.  I've not sailed one so this is a bit of supposition.  But I do sail a 4000 and I used to crew a 400.  A 400 I found absolutely knackering in a breeze because its sitting out, hard, upwind and down and almost as much effort at kite hoisting.

The only thing that's hard work for the helm in a 4000 is righting the thing (and it does capsize easily).  I guess the Boss is going to be similar, except the carbon rig might help, but I recall the 400 was one hell of a stretch to the centre board from the water, even if it didn't capsize quite so much.

Yeah, I think there's a future in a 1 string Boss.

The Boss is very far from 'slouchy' offwind but unlikely to be in full 49er country but the call was for a fast modern asymetric for 'adult' sized crews.  It's also fairly long and a good weight carrier.  Can be bought for peanuts currently and are well built and light.  Class appears to be dying fast so might be a good for transformation (along with the name !) to get things going in new format.

Mike L.

The easiest way to get a concept like this going - and its an excellent one - is to adapt what is already there as others suggest.  To my mind why not change the wing system on something like the Boss with a modest tramp across the back for the helm and run a single trapeze for the crew.  It's fast, easily handled, very light, carbon rig and a has a very powerful and (now) well developed sail plan.   They can also be purchased cheaply at the moment and that is what is needed to have any chance of real success.  This approach will never produce a 49er beater but that is not the prime objective surely - but it would be very far from being slow !.   This approach would be much more practical and much more affordable to get started - Yes you could use an 800 in single tramp mode but it would not carry the weight as well etc etc.  I remember when the Boss  came second to the 49er in the selection trials so its worth a second look - it might even find its niche yet on a revised basis with a second PN !

I'd guess that any combined crew weight below 155-160kg would struggle and the optimum weight would be something like 170-180+kg in single wire mode.  Anyway perhaps food for thought ? 

Cheers - Mike L.