Contender?

   Thinking of trying a Contender. I'm 47, reasonably fit, about 72 KG. I've sailed a vortex so I'm used to trapezing/helming. Heard that the contender is difficult to sail to its handicap, particularly in light winds.
Anyone any thoughts? Am I too light? Are they a waste of time in a handicap fleet?
Anyone in/around Nth London/Essex with one I could try? Or know of one for sale?

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iwsmithuk Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Posting king Joined: 28 Apr 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 141	Post Options Post Reply Quote iwsmithuk Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Contender? Posted: 28 Aug 07 at 10:14am
	Thinking of trying a Contender. I'm 47, reasonably fit, about 72 KG. I've sailed a vortex so I'm used to trapezing/helming. Heard that the contender is difficult to sail to its handicap, particularly in light winds. Anyone any thoughts? Am I too light? Are they a waste of time in a handicap fleet? Anyone in/around Nth London/Essex with one I could try? Or know of one for sale?

foaminatthedeck Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Far too distracted from work Joined: 18 May 06 Online Status: Offline Posts: 318	Post Options Post Reply Quote foaminatthedeck Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 28 Aug 07 at 6:00pm
	The contender is a freat boat to sail, at 72kg I have thought that you'd be ok, I was around that weight when I started to sail them although I am about 80-85 now and it is faster in a bit of wind. They arn't great in light winds on py but I'd say that all boat have a favoured wing strenght, the contender just likes >f3.
	Lark 2170

iwsmithuk Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Posting king Joined: 28 Apr 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 141	Post Options Post Reply Quote iwsmithuk Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 31 Aug 07 at 3:02pm
	Well.....thank you "foaminatthedeck". Otherwise not exactly an overwhelming response. Luckily a bit more help from the Contender yahoo group. Edited by iwsmithuk

Strawberry Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 21 Jun 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1337	Post Options Post Reply Quote Strawberry Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 31 Aug 07 at 6:45pm
	As for clubs, King George in North London is supposed to be a quite numerous Contender fleet.
	Cherub 2649 "Dangerous Strawberry

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: 31 Aug 07 at 8:27pm
	About Ideal for the class. You may find it a bit of a handful being at the 'ideal'-ish weight to start with, but a fantastic boat well worth the effort
	When you find a big kettle of crazy it's probably best not to stir it - Pointy Haired Boss Crew on 505 8780

NickA Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 30 Mar 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 784	Post Options Post Reply Quote NickA Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 01 Sep 07 at 8:29pm
	I've been thinking of trying a contender for years. Lovely strong wind boat. We had a fast single hander regatta at my club in spring in the prevailing 25knots the contenders did really well - nearly beat the Musto Skiffs on handicap and kept surprisingly close behind on the water. Some of the best ones (wooden all over / painted all over) are totally gorgeous Bit dull in light airs though - especially down wind. Not really a boat you want to have to sit down in. But if you buy a light one and (illegally) remove the lead weights .......... Then you start thinking.. hmm proper performance single hander, wouldn't a kite be nice? RS700??? I drive past KGSC most weeks .. haven't noticed many contenders, but then it's only the big boats whos masts stick up over the dam that you can see from the pub! Looks like a good bit of water though - wide and windy.
	Javelin 558 Contender 2574

Villan Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 26 Nov 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1768	Post Options Post Reply Quote Villan Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 02 Sep 07 at 8:23pm
	Along the same lines as the OP, so I'll continue it in here ... I'm thinking of getting a contender in the near future. Probably wont be until after the Dinghy Show, and after a test sail or two. Anyone at Datchet got one that I would be able to have a play in for 30 mins this Saturday? I'm 65kg, about 5 ft 10, but sail on a slightly shifty small lake. Not too good for the Assymetrics unless its blowing a gale, as the legs arnt long enough for them to hit the angles right, so the lasers usually win everything. Any thoughts? Boat for me?
	Vareo - 149 "Secrets" TandyUK Servers

NickA Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 30 Mar 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 784	Post Options Post Reply Quote NickA Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 03 Sep 07 at 6:51pm
	65kg would seem a bit light methinks. ... ......start eating pies and drinking guiness.
	Javelin 558 Contender 2574

ratface Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 07 Apr 07 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 686	Post Options Post Reply Quote ratface Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 03 Sep 07 at 7:08pm
	hmm not sure Villan is the type of person that will drink beverages to put on weight or even the pies u don't need a Contender Villan Edited by ratface
	BLYM Hertfordshire Sailing team Uk-Cherub 2644 Laser 4000 -4089

rich96 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 20 Jan 05 Online Status: Offline Posts: 596	Post Options Post Reply Quote rich96 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 03 Sep 07 at 7:10pm
	65kg would be very light - you would start to get overpowered just as the boat began to come into its own. You would get wiring early though ! If the lake is small forget it - unless its just for boat handling practise - otherwise you may find yourself chasing the Lasers around.