The Tasar v the Icon

The Tasar was so far ahead of its time. I only sold mine this year. It had been renovated well, but 38 years old, underweight and stiff as a board - went like the clappers. They go unfeasibly quickly round a course with a small sail area and are still winning series at my club. The mast was a thing of genius - adjustable power on a handle! 

Thanks for that Jim, I've printed it off and I'll have another read of it myself tonight, lots of interesting stuff in that, and I'll give it to her at the demo this weekend, we're still hopeful of having an Icon to put up against it.

Well wednesday afternoon I had a great battle with the Tasar, down at the lake, the girls who normally sail a Snipe were racing it and we chopped and changed places screwing each other up whilst my normal Laser nemesis headed off to the horizon, but what a fun race it was. She is a very good racing windsurfer who also has a fair talent at the helm of a dinghy, She had me wrong siding marks, I was sailing her way past the bear off point and all manner of normal team sailing nonsense it was fun, then I had a good look at it.

She'd been running the jib by the lee, which kind of works for her in the Snipe but didn't seem to be working so well and she pointed out the 'spanner' she'd had some problems with. WTF? said I 'does that do?', well you put it here and here she said which seemed to be exactly opposite to what I'd do with it.

It's some sort of boom locking device, the mast is a nice aero shape which twists, but it appears you have to lock and unlock then reset this spanner thing every tack, I meant to take a picture and get the whole sp from someone on here, to help her for next time. (I do actually give her tactical hints and tips as we're going round) So if someone could elaborate we'd both be very appreciative, it's quite complicated and clunky but I'm sure things would work better for her if it was just locked off and left so she can keep her head out of the boat to watch out for dodgy old gits snaking her at marks..

Edited by iGRF - 18 Jul 14 at 10:18am

Graeme, you need to select your events wisely.  I find i get so much more out of travelling to events now i dont travel every oither weekend.  The Lord Birkett is a prime example.  Worth every minute of the 7 hour drive for me this year.  The result is secondary to the warm glow i get being part of what is a celebration of sailing.  It really is lightyears ahead of events like the Bloody Mary etc.  Plus its one of the few 'Proper Parties' left in dinghy sailing  (IMNHO)

Originally posted by iGRF I'm never going to do another Nationals after that horror story at the RS100 event,

For a man of such limited experience you have some strong opinions ... I'd suggest you try some more events; not all championships are like that RS100 event you describe.

Championships weeks(ends) are some of the most fun and sociable holidays I have ever had ...