Bytes and Lightnings

   As far as I know there is no race for Byte at the Ovi's. In fact they do not seem to take much interest in the class.

Last years Nationals were won by a 19 year old Topper hull and this years Inlands were won by the same helm in a probably 12 year old boat. Both boats belong to me but I was not sailing them. In second place on both occasions was a brand new Ovington. I will try to find out who is going to Minnis Bay. 

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tickel Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 21 Dec 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 408	Post Options Post Reply Quote tickel Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Bytes and Lightnings Posted: 08 Aug 11 at 10:29pm
	As far as I know there is no race for Byte at the Ovi's. In fact they do not seem to take much interest in the class. Last years Nationals were won by a 19 year old Topper hull and this years Inlands were won by the same helm in a probably 12 year old boat. Both boats belong to me but I was not sailing them. In second place on both occasions was a brand new Ovington. I will try to find out who is going to Minnis Bay.
	tickel

winging it Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 22 Mar 07 Online Status: Offline Posts: 3958	Post Options Post Reply Quote winging it Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 08 Aug 11 at 10:00pm
	tickler, do the bytes take part in the ovi inlands at grafham?
	the same, but different...

Stargazey Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Groupie Joined: 15 May 10 Online Status: Offline Posts: 45	Post Options Post Reply Quote Stargazey Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 08 Aug 11 at 9:42pm
	Have just booked my accomodation for Minnis Bay September 24/25 - looking forward to it as I bought my Byte this April and am still learning the ropes. It was blowing 25-30 knots here this weekend and I was completely out of control trying to go downhill, so hoping to get some tips off regular Byte helms. This is this first time that I have sailed a fully battened sail and must admit am loving the Byte - even if I have no real idea what I am doing A good open event will hopefully give me some more of an idea. My Byte is about 4-5 years old so is Topper built, so I'll be interested to see how the new Ovington boats compare.

drifter Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Posting king Joined: 09 Jun 08 Location: Oxfordshire Online Status: Offline Posts: 177	Post Options Post Reply Quote drifter Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 08 Aug 11 at 8:39pm
	Both great boats, but I'd have the C2 in a drifter and the Lightning for almost all conditions. The Byte is too prone to nosediving on runs, though less wetted area on the light stuff. Still prefer the Solo though-more comfortable!
	Stewart

Ruscoe Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 12 Jan 10 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1514	Post Options Post Reply Quote Ruscoe Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 08 Aug 11 at 8:27pm
	Cheers guys, i had never really thought about the Py of a lightning until i noticed it was so close to the Solo. But i do remember thinking they had a load of sail all those years ago. I can imagine it would be tricky to beat a modern Solo in most conditions. Good luck to the class, i really hope the resurgence continues.


Rupert Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 11 Aug 04 Location: Whitefriars sc Online Status: Offline Posts: 8956	Post Options Post Reply Quote Rupert Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 08 Aug 11 at 5:28pm
	The Lightning handicap certainly seems more realistic than the Solo one - I race against a couple of well sailed Solos (neither new, but both to a modern shape and well looked after) and I do find that in a straight line in a steady wind they will pull away, especially upwind. They aren't too different, though. A 30 year old Lightning will probebly be faster (and far cheaper) than a 30 year old Solo, and seems to need a little less "grunt". Sorry I wasn't a Combs, Tickel, I was sailing the Minisail at a cvrda event at Clywedog. That was fun, too.
	Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686

tickel Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 21 Dec 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 408	Post Options Post Reply Quote tickel Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 08 Aug 11 at 4:54pm
	Remember Russ that the Lightning is 12' but carries as much sail as a full rig laser, but lower. In light winds it will out perform a Radial but as the wind increases the extra length of the Laser begins to tell and it will pull away. In a real blow the Lightning begins to get awkward. Those who sail Lightnings against Solos complain about the advantageous PY of the modern Solo. Byte C2 is fantastic in wind and the really good jockeys can turn them into windsurfers. I am not a member of the 'anti laser society' but I am a member of the 'look at the alternatives society'.
	tickel

Ruscoe Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 12 Jan 10 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1514	Post Options Post Reply Quote Ruscoe Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 08 Aug 11 at 3:16pm
	so is a lightning really faster then a modern solo? I would be really interested to find out? I should imagine he C2 is a little flyer in a breeze.


tickel Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 21 Dec 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 408	Post Options Post Reply Quote tickel Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 08 Aug 11 at 2:29pm
	Lightning 1152 and the new John Claridge boats are lovely and modern on Mylar. Byte C2 1140. Choose Byte for a blow and lightning when it is light.
	tickel

Ruscoe Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 12 Jan 10 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1514	Post Options Post Reply Quote Ruscoe Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 08 Aug 11 at 2:12pm
	I think both classes are great, the lightning especially. Always loved the look of them back int he 80's. If i was a smaller bloke it would deffinately be on my shopping list as from used to new they seem to offer great value.I have not sailed a C2 but i had a near new Byte years ago as a kid, i loved it but really struggled with the old rig on handicap, i seem to remember its PY being somewhere near that of a solo at the time.