Rise Of The Ok etc

Russ if I worked on your ratios, If my legs were the right length I'd be 6ft 4".

I'm 6ft 2" with 33" legs.

And to get back vaguely on topic, I've never had a problem getting under a Laser boom or indeed an OK boom.

Don't worry chaps, as long as your legs reach the ground you should be OK.

When I had one of my Solos I borrowed a mates OK: I loved the Solo because it worked on handicap in every condition, but purely as a sailing experience in the steady F4 I sailed it in, the OK was a much nicer boat to sail, it was more powerful, more steady and just felt nicer. Sadly it did not work on handicap and I just don't get that, so maybe GRF is right sometimes? I cannot see why a handicap system can work apparently perfectly for the solo but makes the OK unappealing for club racing when to my mind it was a nicer boat!

Could it be that OKs in the UK are a relatively small bunch of high-class sailors, whereas the Solo fleet is much larger and includes many more sailors of average ability?  

I still find myself taking it too seriously, especially when the rudder is wrapped around with weed and a Topper has just overtaken me. Easy to forget at that point that the reason you are out sailing is enjoyment, and only a small part of that enjoyment is winning. At that point, you really, really need to be sailing a boat that you find is the bees knees, the love of your life etc, etc!