Bell Flyer

It went for £500.  Someone got a lot of boat for very little money.

This does prompt a good question.....

Was someone in the right place at the right time and got a bargain or is the cost of 2nd hand boats in general coming down??

The Bell flyer was let down because the spinny pole was too flexible, the sail was more expensive, the optimum weight was low and you had to make it yourself.

It is sad that people don't make their own boats, but these days building/buying the hull is the smallest part of the boating exercise. As was pointed out my Mr Contender, the trailer is the most expensive thing, closely followed by some decent cleats and string. Next is sails, then mast which is about the same as the petrol to drive it to a club.........

The shape looks OK if a little small. What I think Bell (if they were still in business) should do is sell the wood shapes with a frame to be tacked together with pins. Then include in the kit carbon mat and epoxy to 'mould your own flyer'.

On Bells part it may also have been a miss reading of the market. The market at that time wanted speed (or the persception of it at least) for sure, but it is cost and the notion that 'you pay your money and have the top kit'..... all in one, the package that can take you to the top - no more cheque book sailing. A laudable notion when you think back.