The vortex concept

I'm not trying to kid anyone here that in light winds, a Vortex is as fast as it's handicap shows.  But the 'assasination' of it's lightwind performance on here deserves a response. In fact we can probably all give examples of poor performance from 'high performance' trapeze boats - especially in light winds. So does the fact I've seen an RS200 beat all bar one of the dozen or more Musto Skiffs at the Birkett on the water after 2 hours racing  prove that MPSs are dogs in light wind? - NO of course it doesn't - it says more about how fluky light winds can be, and more particularly how it's easier to take advantage in some types of boats.

But how do I convince anyone that if you know how to drive a Vortex the performance is there? Obviously not by trying to tell you in my own words, so perhaps by using others -----

Report from Musto Skiff website   http://www.mustoskiff.com/reports-and-news/2005/steve-nic-ra ce.htm  Conditions were patch and shifty with winds between 0 to 10 knots, not ideal for the trapeze classes. With 33 asymmetrics on the short start line clear air was at a premium and once buried it was a challenge to break free of the fleet in the light conditions.

In the strongest winds of the day in race one Richard Stenhouse was superlative and making good use of the stronger puffs broke free of the fleet to win, hotly chased by Kit who finished 3rd with a well sailed vortex splitting the family

OR from this forum,   http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2 038&KW=keilder+vortex&TPN=2    ------------When the Vortex's came to Kielder for the SSR grand prix event they performed very well in all conditions. On the fist day it built to a 6 and they di very well, on the 2nd it was less than a 2 and they were still doin very well. Both vortexes were 2nd and 3rd overall with only sten beating them in is Musto. I am personally going for a 600 because keeping the boat upright is more of a challenge and is half the fun
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Fergus Holland

So yes, in light winds their handicap isn't favourable, but if sailed well,  a Vortex can clearly still get good results - except possibly on the Medway

HECTOR

I  have only raced against well sailed vortice's once  at the scottih skiffs at kielder I definetly got a shock at the  windward mark to find 2 of them in front of me at the windward mark on the saturday sailing a 14. sunday no wind and they were no where to be seen.  The 2 guys were 1st and 2nd at the nats somust of known how to sail the boat well and  seeing other vortices sailing It  is probably a handicap bandit  in the breeze  if   well sailed but in   light and s**t conditions  you are better of sitting in the bar!!

try  the boat if you like it buy it because every class has its negatives.

Rob, I remain of the view that you will be better off with a Sprint 15. The problem with the Vortex in my view is that unless you live near Grimworth you will not be sailing against other Vortex boats but will be confined to handicap racing. The Laser Centre did not make the boat for long enough to build up big fleets or a big class association. The Sprint 15 has both a big and active class association to have 60+ at the Nationals and to have well attended open meetings every month of the year. There are probably 15 or so Clubs in the country where you can get Fleet racing. It is much more forgiving to sail than the RS600/RS700 as the wind gets up. At Grafham we have 40 Sprint 15s, one Vortex and about 10 RS600s and a few RS700s. The Vortex is hardly ever sailed. As the wind gets up beyond a F4 the RS600/RS700s are swimming but the Sprint 15 is relatively easy to sail up to F7 and beyond. In common with all cats it does not do well against monohulls in handicap racing as the wind strength drops to F1-2 - but then we generally get our kicks from class racing on those days.

Cheers

Bob

PS I see that there is a Sprint 15 for sale on the Sprint 15 website (www.sprint15.com) in your price range at Beaver SC

Totally agree with the try it and buy it concept and can't disagree that all boats (including the Vortex) have some negatives. Also think that the bar is a good place on many light wind occasions (unless you sail a Thames A Rater!)

BUT The statement above that "sunday no wind and they were no where to be seen" is typical of the exaggerated / misleading comments elsewhere on this thread. The results are pasted below. Out of 30+ boats, including top class sailors from various fleets the Vortex were 8th and 9th in the last (very light wind) race. In fact it was so light a second race was never started. How that can be described being 'nowhere' or the performance of a 'a dog' is beyond me.

Kielder - Overall Results:

1. Richard Stenhouse (Musto Skiff, Rutland) 7; 1; 2; 1; 1 (5)
2. Phil Whitehead, (Vortex, Yorkshire Dales) 2; 4; 3; 3; 9 (12)
3. Keith Escritt (Vortex, Yorkshire Dales) 4; 3; 4; 2; 8 (13)
4. Ian Trotter (Musto Skiff, Derwent) 3; 6; 1; BFD; 5 (15)
5. Ross McKercher & Stuart Gardiner (RS800, Dalgety Bay) 8; 5; 5; 4; 7 (21)
6. Gavins Homer & Mackinnon (International 14, Dalgety Bay) 5; 7; 7; BFD; 3 (22)