contender crew weight

   I'm at the other end of the scale at (ahem) 95kg and would much rather be closer to what I was when I first started sailing them at 70kg.
At 60kg you'll wire early and which is important to get anywhere near sailing to PY in F3 and below. The boat depowers fairly easily (crank that vang on!) but this means less room under the boom which if you're smaller doesn't matter so much. Pull the kicker on to give controleable power dumping and sheet out to keep the boat flat.
You'll have a blast and might lose out upwind in a blow but offwind will almost make up for it and feel like it more than makes up for it!

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Matt Jackson Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 21 Sep 04 Location: Darlington Online Status: Offline Posts: 962	Post Options Post Reply Quote Matt Jackson Report Post Quote Reply Topic: contender crew weight Posted: 07 Aug 07 at 12:51pm
	I'm at the other end of the scale at (ahem) 95kg and would much rather be closer to what I was when I first started sailing them at 70kg. At 60kg you'll wire early and which is important to get anywhere near sailing to PY in F3 and below. The boat depowers fairly easily (crank that vang on!) but this means less room under the boom which if you're smaller doesn't matter so much. Pull the kicker on to give controleable power dumping and sheet out to keep the boat flat. You'll have a blast and might lose out upwind in a blow but offwind will almost make up for it and feel like it more than makes up for it!
	Laser 203001, Harrier (H+) 36

Ross Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 02 May 07 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1163	Post Options Post Reply Quote Ross Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 07 Aug 07 at 9:38am
	I'll crew in your 5000, do you live near London? Contenders are great fun! You have to sail them once a week or it's like starting from scratch every time you sail it. I got mine for £500 with a spare main, combi trailer, launching trolley. It's perfectly dry inside as well. There are bargains to be had so look around. At 60Kg (!) you will be over powered quickly.
	Ross If you can't carry it, don't sail it!

Iain C Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 16 Mar 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1113	Post Options Post Reply Quote Iain C Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 06 Aug 07 at 11:45pm
	Agreed, you will certainly be on the light side. However the Contender is a great boat and a super introduction to helming from the wire, take it easy until you are used to it and enjoy! There was one Contender sailor at our club who is now sadly deceased who would wire in almost anything, and a lass who cannot be any heavier than you who is also really getting to grips with the boat. Go for it.
	RS700 GBR922 "Wirespeed" Fireball GBR14474 "Eleven Parsecs" Enterprise GBR21970 Bavaria 32 GBR4755L "Adastra"

29er397 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 02 Feb 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 505	Post Options Post Reply Quote 29er397 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 06 Aug 07 at 11:07pm
	i borrowed acontender frewquently when i was just a touch over 60KG, obviously not going to win when it gets seriously breezy, but i didnt feel my weight was a disadvantage. even so, if your only sailing it whhen you cant get a crew you probably wont be aiming to win any major championships, so i wouldnt worry.
	Kielder Water Sailing Club

Black no sugar Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 04 Dec 04 Location: Somewhere between Brighton and Lancing Online Status: Offline Posts: 3941	Post Options Post Reply Quote Black no sugar Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 04 Aug 07 at 9:11am
	And a few lighter weights too! Jacqueline, Ann and Birgit at the Worlds were no elephants, by a long shot. Here's Ann in action:
	Lancing SC

Contender443 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 01 Oct 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1211	Post Options Post Reply Quote Contender443 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 04 Aug 07 at 9:08am
	Well you are definitely on the light side of light but it can be done. The majority of sailors are in the 80 to 90kg bracket with a few lardy boys who weigh in about 100kg.
	Bonnie Lass Contender 1764

Guests Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Guest Group	Post Options Post Reply Quote Guests Quote Reply Posted: 03 Aug 07 at 11:54pm
	whats the ideal weight to sail a contender? im thinking of buying a cheap one when i cant get a crew for my 5000 but i only weight a measely 60kg