Swift Solo

Bram
You need to update your photos and show them the new sails with the chop top main and the new kite. The boat looks a lot better with that rig too.

Oh for those of you who think that this is a boat that is only for the young. I am 45 220 - 230 lbs, depending on how much holiday cheer I've had, and my knees have been buggered up from an incident with a truck while riding my bike. I have yet to feel totaly out classed by the boat but I've only been out in 25+ once. All I can say is that I'm hooked and love mine.

You don't have to race to have fun. This could be the little wood sports car you pull out for a blast on Sundays and to impress your friends.

Bram,

You will find the correct data on the Musto here;

http://www.mustoskiff.com/facts-and-figures.htm

As for speed comparisons I don't think there have ever been enough MPS & SS together to make a resonable comparison; in the UK we have only once done a head to head with the 700 with enough boats to even out the issue of crew skill factor and the MPS came convincingly out on top but there are still some who say that this dosn't mean the MPS is faster .... results here.

http://www.mustoskiff.com/reports-and-news/2005/tide-ride.ht m

I don't think it really matters which is faster; both probably have their moments ...

Have you any photos of the SS in 20+ knots yet as I'd be interested to see how people cope with all that sail with limited beam ...?

Rick

E.g.

 

 

 

Edited by Guest#260

Rick,

Yes, I've posted a notice under the chart that the info was incorrect.  Now that the holiday is over, I will build a new chart and post it.

I agree that the question of speed is always difficult because of different skill levels and different wind velocity.  When you combine that with the fact that the slower boat sailors will always want to make excuses--you have nothing left to do but to put up some money and have a go.  Even then, there will always be someone who will find a way to make their own reality out of what actually happened.  All in all, I thought the regatta you guys had against the 700 was pretty convincing in favor of the Musto.

A couple of observations that may help provide some perspective--still subjective, however:  It is my sense that Ron (the N/A Musto dealer) can give me a much better go in the Swift than he can in the Musto--even though he has three years in the Musto and only a few days in the Swift.  There is some convincing evidence of this as well. 

Under "News" on the Swift website home page  www.swiftsolo.org  there is an article from a 49er sailor who sailed the Swift for the first couple of times this fall.  While I often beat him with my Swift when he's racing his 49er, he gave me a real go when he sailed the Swift (please don't read this as a claim that a Swift is faster than a well sailed 49er--it is not).  When top end skiff sailors race Swifts against me, the results are not much different. Do remember that I likely have 10 hours in a Swift for every hour that the second most active Swift sailor has (most of the Swifts have been launched in the last 8 months and I know that an ass kicking is just around the corner--but I'll enjoy it while I can).

Regarding wind range: the continued concern that the Swift will be a handful in a blow are simply backwards until the wind gets above 25 knots (it may be the easiest high performance skiff to sail in 15 to 20 knots--either single or double handed).  In the last regatta in Seattle where the Musto, 29ers, and the Swifts were racing together everybody did fine in the first day at 15 knots of breeze.  The second day the wind piped up to 22 to 25 knots with big waves.  After a very long sail to the starting line, the Swift was the only boat that had not capsized and was ready to race.   

Also regarding wind range: below and above are pictures in 20 plus knots and in 3 knots.  Admitedly, we have few pictures above 20 knots (really cold salt water and small photo boats are a problem in Seattle so most photographers prefer the flat warm fresh water of The Gorge when the wind is up--the black and white picture above).

One of the things that Ron stresses is that the Swift/Musto thing does not have to be a zero sum game.  I agree with him and believe that single handed skiff sailing is the future and that both classes can and will grow side by side.  The problem with small boat sailing has little to do with the "too many classes" argument.

Bram

Originally posted by Bram    These boats are now as fast or faster than a well sailed 49er which is 2 ½ feet longer and 3 ½ wider.  My purpose for pointing this out is, in part, to question the certainty of the “wider is faster” crowd.

Having width does make it easier to carry sail in a breeze ... thats why 18's have wings, Fireballs trapezes and AC's have sliding seats.

To be able to use your sail area you have to be able to balance it with weight; that is why it is useful to be able to get your weight away from the centre line. That is why width is useful ...

Rick

No. The Voodoo just barely hit the water. Give them a month or two to work some bugs out and get used to the boat. Something might happend this summer.