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ian.r.mcdonald View Drop Down
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Posts: 440 		Post Options Post Options   Quote ian.r.mcdonald Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Solo changes survey
    Posted: 10 Sep 19 at 2:51pm
Originally posted by davidyacht

I would suggest that if you are uncomfortable sitting in a Solo downwind then you are sitting in the wrong place, and probably not sailing by the lee on the run.  The benefit of the side tanks is that you can sit on the edge of the tank or a cheek on the thwart and sail by the lee downwind quite comfortably.  If you are sitting on the coffee table you are probably sailing quite square and sitting too far back in the boat and you will be unable to respond to changes in wind strength and direction.


Thanks David. Think a review of my downwind at the weekend is called for. Am spending too much time looking back at other Solos and not forward to catch the Supernovas!
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Cirrus View Drop Down
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Posts: 590 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Cirrus Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Sep 19 at 5:08pm
If the aim is to expand the class then asking current owners what is needed boat wise is not necessarily the right path  (ask those who don't sail it now !)  and this is the problem with many traditonal classes doing reviews like this.  Few want to potentially devalue their current investment.  For the Solo additonal take-up  may not be the issue as it enjoys good support already ...  

So what about 'modernisation' for the current owners ?  My bet is most will inevitably be conservative so the class is unlikely to change much ....  What would make it nicer ... er at least in my opinion ?   Not too much needed really is the basic answer.  I would however go for a loose footed sail on a carbon boom ... but just stick with the alloy mast on cost grounds.  Why tubular carbon boom ?  Less mass flying around in each gybe  (good return on the upgrade cost imo) so fewer capsizes possibly and a lot less 'pain' when you do catch your head on the boom (since you do need to go for a lot of rig rake these days).  Leave most of the rest alone ... it is an old 'traditional' design and too much expensive lipstick won't change that.  Whatever the class goes for make sure that 'older' boats can still be as competitive as before ... ie - Don't dabble with the hull too much and any changes should be retro-fittable to earlier hulls. 
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ian.r.mcdonald View Drop Down
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Posts: 440 		Post Options Post Options   Quote ian.r.mcdonald Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Sep 19 at 3:01pm
Originally posted by ian.r.mcdonald

Originally posted by davidyacht

I would suggest that if you are uncomfortable sitting in a Solo downwind then you are sitting in the wrong place, and probably not sailing by the lee on the run.  The benefit of the side tanks is that you can sit on the edge of the tank or a cheek on the thwart and sail by the lee downwind quite comfortably.  If you are sitting on the coffee table you are probably sailing quite square and sitting too far back in the boat and you will be unable to respond to changes in wind strength and direction.


Thanks David. Think a review of my downwind at the weekend is called for. Am spending too much time looking back at other Solos and not forward to catch the Supernovas!


Advice from Taxi means I will modify my position away from the coffee table in the light stuff, so if nothing else comes from this discussion, I may be faster downwind in 3 kts!. But whatever is decided post questionnaire, the thought of attacking Mr Miles craftsmanship to remove the beautiful centreboard capping on 4217 is not an option.

Perhaps the changes may trigger more interest in specific racing for classic Solos beyond the excellent work the guys at Leigh SC are already doing?
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jeffers View Drop Down
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Posts: 3048 		Post Options Post Options   Quote jeffers Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Sep 19 at 3:05pm
I thought the class voted to keep the capping fairly recently? I was chatting to one of our Solo guys and he was waiting on the last vote before he ordered his new one.
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ian.r.mcdonald View Drop Down
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Posts: 440 		Post Options Post Options   Quote ian.r.mcdonald Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Sep 19 at 3:07pm
Originally posted by jeffers

I thought the class voted to keep the capping fairly recently? I was chatting to one of our Solo guys and he was waiting on the last vote before he ordered his new one.


It did, or certainly it was discussed and no action was taken. Not sure if it was 2 or 3 years ago. Now we are doing it again with lots of other possible changes!

Edited by ian.r.mcdonald - 11 Sep 19 at 3:20pm
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NickM99 View Drop Down
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Posts: 145 		Post Options Post Options   Quote NickM99 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Sep 19 at 6:02pm
I think that was based on a vote at the AGM but not all members of the Association were asked for their views at the time.
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ian.r.mcdonald View Drop Down
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Posts: 440 		Post Options Post Options   Quote ian.r.mcdonald Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Sep 19 at 5:17pm
The Solo association are saying that the carbon mast and boom idea has not been supported.

The removal of the " coffee table" and transom change are still up for a possible vote next year. So I would suggest it's going to be very easy to get a new Solo built as most potential buyers sit back waiting to see where the class is going.


The overall weight is going to drop 3 kilo, which makes my Miles with no correctors even more fun when I beat new frp boats, but would suggest the class sees the new frp boats the only topic worth considering .
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tink View Drop Down
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Posts: 789 		Post Options Post Options   Quote tink Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Sep 19 at 9:29pm
I have only dipped into this thread but it is these tiny bit not insignificant changes to one design classes, in general, that play into the hands of SMODs and will long term see the demise of these classes. People that want to develop boats will continue to sail development classes. My class this year approved the change from alloy to carbon booms, it was stated in the AGM that it would have no effect on speed but just mean the boat easier to sail. That is subtext for you won’t capsize in heavy weather. My only chance of being competitive in my older over weight boat is when the breeze gets up and the newer boats can’t cope and capsize. It is economically sensible to change the boom on a newish boat but clearly not on an old boat like mine. I will not be replacing my current boat with same class. 
To many changes to the already relatively expensive Solo will have people leaving the class and will not attract and one to the class. 
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Sam.Spoons View Drop Down
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Posts: 3401 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Sam.Spoons Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Sep 19 at 10:29pm
This get's to the nub of the problem with modernising older OD classes. Changes big enough to attract droves of new sailors will make older boats so uncompetitive that you alienate the core membership. Is a 3kg weight reduction going to devalue old boats? Yes it is. Is it going to attract iGRF (notwithstanding his very brief dalliance with a Solo this term)? No it isn't.

At least if you go carbon rig anybody can buy one and be just as fast as the top guys but 3kg weight reduction is just pointless IMHO........
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JimC View Drop Down
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Posts: 6662 		Post Options Post Options   Quote JimC Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Sep 19 at 3:34am
If every competitive boat in the fleet is carrying lead, then the lead is pointless and ditching it just saves hassle and takes a few quid of the cost of new boats.
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