The Tasar v the Icon

Originally posted by Medway Maniac Drink-drive laws, and the current public view that drink-driving is second only to paedophilia, with speeding and, heaven forbid, overtaking a close third.

Have you been hanging out on that STW forum?

Originally posted by Null Leads on to a great new thread.  What the hell happened to the good old sailing club piss-up/party. They are not like they used to be! Diluted versions of their former selves.

Oh dear not this one again !!

969 is tough but in time it will sort itself out.... The 'un-reformed' PN system methodology always tries to 'throw' classes 'back in the middle of the fleet' of course - it was developed in the age when handicap racing was definately for the 'odd balls' at the back of the dinghy park so they could get the odd race in ..... today fleet racing is increasingly the thing you do at class opens and championships but has now declined for about 3 decades at club level.   At local clubs many, perhaps most now, usually race within one or another handicap structure.  In other words the world has moved forward and changed and the 'classic PN system' has arguably been out-grown...  It never really could assess the potential of a boat itself, rather than the boat/crew/location/conditons mix.  You can justify it anyway you like of course  but the bottom line is it does not even claim to measure 'boat potential' in isolation.  If you only buy boats with 'good' PN's then maybe stay with the traditonal classes .. preferably ones with lots of antique examples that dilute the impact of good boats and faster crews.  Don't go anywhere near a new class until dilution 'helps' - you could get canned !   But if you like the boat .....

Another observation is that we have yet again got quite few suggesting to the the world what the handicap should be of boats and classes all too often they have not ever sailed themselves....  You can  massively increase the credibility of such comments simply by asking to try one first .....

For the record - Icon hulls are, or should be <70kg.  We do have a very much lighter rig than the Tasar of course - but it is not a rotating wing section one.  Icon is faster, particularly in lighter breezes where the Tasar can too easily get bogged down but it is not as fast as a decent modern and sorted Merlin ... but if you sail one and make a minor mistake we might just get you though !!   (Before you ask - I have sailed both Tasar and Icon classes pretty extensively and have occasionally helmed a good MR as a guest).

BTW Icon is one of only 2 boats that have chucked me out the back due to sheer acceleration .. ever.   And the handling is simply gorgeous - it is simply a joy to sail and very forgiving. 

We and the CA will be releasing some really exciting and great news concerning Icons future very soon.   This will be released in August ... and not before !  In the meantime we are offering a couple of Icons for those interested in trying something 'completely different' at the various sailing weeks coming up soon.   If anyone (ie YOU) are interested in say Camel Week or Pyfleet Week or similar get in touch.. ..... wot you got to lose ?

Mike L.

Originally posted by iGRF   And there writ large exactly the reason the sport is dwindling and events are getting fewer respondents, even when you tell them where they're going wrong they argue with you.. ffs you should write a book.. oh wait a minute