Dinghy Show -- Observations

Spent all day yesterday on the HOAC stand, for you lot that meant a day staring at that Alto and the O'pen Bic!!

No one stopped for a balloon and said hello though but I am sure you would of seen our range of colourful range around the show!

Anyway yes the show was great saw a lot of boats but didn't buy anything as I was told not too. I can after my birthday! (not telling when that is though guys!!!!)

   

Originally posted by GK.LaserII Thre new Canoe would be a consideration, not sure what the ideal weight is though. The man on the stand reckons that the PY will probably end up at about 850? Perhaps others would like to comment on that.

More details on the PY for the DC are at http://www.intcanoe.org/forum2/viewtopic.php?t=736 

I managed to get around 3 times today in 4 hours there  . Looks like I might be getting a Musto, and I actually was very tempted to look around for some cherubs! I like the one there and had a good chat to Ross about them and I never thought I would say this but I did actually quite like the look! Although I liked the new rig 600FF and the bladerider, but the avvark (or however you spell it!) looked very nice. I looked the General Lee Merlin! Although not so sure I like Merlins but I loved the paint job

I'm really stuck, not sure what to get if the 49er doesn't work out after all! I put some cards out on the 49er (with permission!) advertising I needed a crew, and when I returned a fair few had gone so hopefully I might have found a crew! The new rig looked odd to me.. But quick. I think the old rig looks much nicer.

The Alto did look quite nice but no one was there when I went.

Ordered a new harness so no accidental quick releases with my new one hopefully! Ordered one of the Magic Marine Pro Race quick release ones, looks much nicer than my gill push button which only takes a knock to send you swimming...

Well I thoroughly enjoyed the show this year, unfortunately I was on a bit of a time trial
having some folk for dinner back home and having promsed to help swmbo.
I went primarily to order my new boat and check it was exactly what I wanted, but I had
a wander round, took some snaps of the boats that caught my eye.
First up were these lovely looking boats that had somehow escaped my notice earlier,
but sadly I'm told I'm too light for them, but my chum would get on with really well, it
just looks right, there is a smaller version which looks equally as appealing your spoilt
for choice shame he couldn't come this year. One i think is called a Phantom, but the other I forget.


Simple uncluttered and a retracting CB

Has the look of a supernova only better forget which was which now

Another shot, it just looks "right"
Then I had another look at the Osprey, not having given it much attention last year.



Nice boat until I got to that bit, seriously chaps, ditch the pole thing its 2008.

Then I came across this fine Merlin which totally restored my faith in my normal
impression of fun loving dinghy sailors so often sullied by the stuffed shirts on this
forum, I can just imagine them tut tutting as General Lee turfs up at the start line
Can you imagine two secs to go, and he sounds off with the air horns?
Instant 69




Quality, Good Man
General Lee as a Merlin Rocket, the guys got a serious sense of humour.

Then there was the plain unnecessary


Then the children



Hector least I think he's hector was on the Vortex stand, I'd love one if it weren't for all
those plates


Some of the lads down here at Hythe are all going contender so i thought I ought to
check one out..


Nice (use Borat accent), but not for me I'm done swimming for a while.

But If I wasn't I'd definitely have this




Had a long discussion with the guy on his choice of sails, and its lack of twist,
(I think I've worked out why if he reads this and wants to know why twist stops them
in their tracks on that sail).

Then it was back to my chariot of choice for next season
and for the original poster who wants to know why, I'll happily detail it later in a separate thread.





And in brief that was my express trip round the show, I met lots of folk I
hadn't seen for a while, Roger Tushingham and Lester Noble were there, I can't
believe they were surrounded by washing up bowls at the time, but who knows what goes
on in their grey matter. Roger pointed me in the direction of the Fireball stand whilst
bemoaning the thought he might have to take up sailing a Solo and there were no OK's
down where he was about to move.

Everyone I met and asked about the boat said give it a year, but someone has to take
the plunge and the way things come at me from time to time who knows I've even got
another year..

So I' now eagerly awaiting a firm delivery date and it was a most pleasant
day out, but then a lot of it is all new to me..








Edited by G.R.F

I thought the show was great!  Earls Court could learn a lot.

Met Ben Ainsley and Paul Goodison and got a couple of Autographs

Chatted to Geoff Holt - what a great man

Met up with the guys at Hartley Laminates - great stand and a really friendly bunch of blokes.  New Wanderer is a great family boat.

My daughter loved the bug (well...it is better looking than the Optimist)

I loved the look of the sunfish and the Finn

Loads of great stalls in which to part me with my cash