NS14 - still available in UK?

Originally posted by L123456 Seems a common theme that that very strong advocates of these new designs soon sell up ...   I am sure circumstances change but the age of once children is hardly likely to come as a surprise ...   ifoxwell, GRF & turnturtle were all massive 100 fanboys and posted here enthusiastically about their forthcoming new boats and they have now all sold them ...   I think people often get a bit carried away by what the next wonder boat will offer and the reality is perhaps somewhat disappointing and people return to more proven options.

Think its a bit more complicated then that, perhaps the single handers bought into the class and the boat wasnt what they were after, i don't know i can't and wont speak for them.

It seems some souls always want to believe a switch is for 'other reasons' - Peaky has been a great Icon supporter and will continue to be ... and in time will be back.    But then we all 'know' the moon landings never happened either ...

Simple reality can also be too mundane so sometimes people like to 'spin' alternative versions.  Toby has a significantly better understanding in depth of the subject and science of hull design than others mentioned here but even that cannot  'magic' a useful crew out of thin air when the regular one moves on !   I don't always have available crew myself so jump in  a singlehander frequently ... but then I have access to several sailing alternatives that more regular racers really cannot justify.   If he was switching to an Albacore or similar  then maybe a point could be made

Mike L.

Originally posted by maxibuddah Originally posted by Rupert The age of one's children might not be a surprise, I dunno, my eldest was 6 last week. Surprised me, I have no idea where those 6 years have gone other than it has been very fast.

Mine will soon all be in their 20's. I blinked and I missed so much of it

Originally posted by RS400atC   It also helps to be in a fleet, us RS400 sailors sometimes find crew for each other, as we value the boats to race against.

Originally posted by RS400atC Originally posted by pondmonkey Originally posted by blaze720  Simple reality can also be too mundane so sometimes people like to 'spin' alternative versions.   The straight-up reasons are usually very mundane until you feel you have to justify them on an internet forum. .....   One of the key features of the Icon seems to be that dangle pole on the jib.Does that make it a lot harder to take any passenger off the beach, like I used to do in the old days?Some more experienced crews might not get too excited about a boat with no kite or wire.It also helps to be in a fleet, us RS400 sailors sometimes find crew for each other, as we value the boats to race against.

No, the pole is easy to use and rig (although takes some practise to get the most out of it, as you would expect). I think there is some merit in the suggestion that some people may perceive it to be boring without a kite or trapeze, but that is misguided. The reality is that at a club like Chew, where the lake is half a mile down a private road with a padlocked gate keeping the riffraff out (even on Sundays), there are not that many people hanging around on the offchance of a sail, and I am not that keen to just sail with strangers anyway.

The only two man fleet at Chew is the Flying Fifteen. I was RO last weekend - they had a good turn out but its not the boat for me (yet!). Other than that, there was a Fireball, a Scorpion, a 400, a 200, an ARUP cherub, an 800, a Musto and a K1 in the handicap fleet. So, given that medley of no more than one of anything, the Icon is the same as the older classes at Chew.