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Originally posted by Bootscooter Originally posted by Slippery Jim Haven´t heard of any Altos doing much recently though I got to say that you've not been looking then Jim. The Class now has demo boats available at Oxford SC, Deben YC and Wilsonian SC. The Class series has been a great success with Alto's taking the top 4 places at the Medway Regatta (no 59ers in attendance), 3 boats at the Weymouth Sailfest gaining 12th, 24th and 80th places of 86 (no 59ers in attendance), 10th and 19th of 84 at the Round Sheppey Race (no 59ers in attendance). One ALTO went to the NSSA Regatta this year getting 3rd in the F/H Fleet (no 59ers in attendance). Whilst I don't want to turn this in to a "willy-waving" competition, I'd ask you not to make disparaging comments about a Class in the way that you have please. I've not enjoyed sailing as much as I have this year in over a decade! Sailing with my son up front has been fantastic in this boat, and the Class racing we've enjoyed has been incredibly tight despite the massive differences in weights between crews. Sailfest was just a total dream, with us, the Isos and Javelins battling around the course in perfect conditions. For anyone that'd like to see first hand what the ALTO is about, feel free to contact Jo through SailAlto.com to have a sail.

No I haven´t  been looking for something that´s dead in the water, BS (good abreviation IMHO) As for Altos doing anything much, what you claim doesn´t amount to much. Oh, and one last thing, BS, if you don´t like the heat, keep out of the kitchen or keep light hearted. You are a).  terribly insular b). have no sense of humour...

Apologies for dragging the thread back on topic......... 

Originally posted by Ecosse The one thing I'll say is that the guys who've sailed Icons seem to REALLY like them for many reasons but primarily because they say they are fantastic to helm upwind, quick around the course, the rig really works and they are more stable than a lot. Seems Icons are good in most conditions and great in a blow and will accept a range of crew sizes up to about 25 stone.

We've had ours for just over a year.  It was Mrs B that was mostly convinced to buy one, but she'd had the opportunity to crew for Mike L when Andy was dancing or farming. 

I can agree with everything Peter Thomas says on P12.  We're at the light end of the crew weight which obviously works well in lighter winds, but the boat is still manageable in stronger stuff.  Now this is going to tempt fate, but I've never capsized it unintentionally! Done countless dodgy gybes which if I'd done the same in the Blaze I'd be swimming, but the Icon stayed upright.  Did a capsize test with Andy last year.  It needed both of us to un-invert it, but when on its side the board is low enough to get on from the water, and Andy (sub 70Kg) was able to right it alone.

We've had an opposite 'crewing' issue to Peter & Scotsfinn - I was away working during a lot of the summer, so Mrs B recruited a number of 'guest helms' for the Wed evening series.  All seemed to pick it up quite well.

Ecosse - the answer to your sig is yes!  But you ought to try one first.  How far north of the wall are you?

Mike B.

Hang on, you're claiming Redoubt is too small for the Alto, yet the racing it dominated by an MPS, which is not only quicker, but arguably less manouvrable also due to the need for the helm to do everything? Something seems wrong here....

Originally posted by iGRF Originally posted by Neptune I think you want to be aiming at 950 so at least you'll be racing over the water with 400's.  Who knows get a few together and that RS400 fella might join you! Our twin handed mix is a well sailed Merlin Bandit, A couple of 400's both capable of winning across the water in their condition, improvers in an L3k, a Hornet currently promoting its underside as an advertising hoarding, a 470 old but well sailed,a couple of Visions, depends who's in them but in a breeze they can be dangerous. Down the lake it's another older Merlin, a Miracle infestation, a Scorpion a Snipe and mostly other billy no mate boats they're all good and take no prisoners, it's an excellent venue for tactical boat to boat and quick fire mark rounding training, to bring on intermediates.

Originally posted by iGRF So it'll need multiple handicaps eventually