SDS Cobra

From a performance perspective I think that probably works, but adds a level of complexity that makes it too niche.

It's not all about kite size. Leverage matters too. See the graphs on p3 and p4 of this old thread.
http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=6900&KW=rs100&PN=4&title=assy-kite-size-optimisation

Customers are always wrong once you've got their money, everyone knows that.

Edited by G.R.F. - 09 Oct 12 at 10:51am

Sorry, back to school for you Jimbo.

Before embarking on roguish activities, I made an enquiry for a K1- with a kite mod.

I was bowled over by the lack of response and after chasing twice, took a consumerist approach and figured they weren't interested in either a) making a value added sale or b) diluting their brand

Edited by pondmonkey - 08 Oct 12 at 10:17pm

Luddites .... we are then......

It is just we are still selling useful numbers of new boats to people actually paying their 'hard earned' for in difficult times.  Used Blaze prices are also very solid and more important they sell very readily indeed.   Come on Greame just say the customers are 'wrong' one more time ..  surely a rather unconventional basis for strategy ?!.  We had just had our best first half year sales for several and still have modest Blaze backlog orders going into the Autumn.

We do not target (usually) well occupied niches ... well not at our size and on our own anyway.  The D1 / 100 area was one we were very interested in hence the spinnaker trials way back but was quickly dropped as our brand strength and financial clout was not the equal of RS ....  or Devoti.   I'd have liked to have continued of course but common sense did cut in ....  I'm very very happy with the direction we took (maybe had to take) and Devoti are already building their second batch of Icons now.  Do not be too surprised if the Blaze is also distributed by them in geographic markets we cannot serve ... UK build ones at that. 

All this has allowed us to start development work on another new design ... we'll take our time on this one as well but it will again (we hope) be rather special and that bit different again.   Will it have 'extra' sails ? ... we might just keep you guessing.   Yes you are right this might be the very first forum 'teaser' on this one Greame ...... 

By all means ply me with beer or Brandy & Babycham at Broxbourne on the weekend - but any details revealed under duress (or more likely the influence of the above) is liable to gross exaggeration, flat denial later or to be intentionally misleading !

Mike L.