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Modern symmetric two-hander? |
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Solo4652 
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Joined: 08 Apr 15 Location: Stockport Online Status: Offline Posts: 71 |
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 Topic: Modern symmetric two-hander?Posted: 21 Oct 15 at 10:01pm |
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I've had a great time crewing the X1 dinghy. Other than the X1 (or X0 with smaller rig), are there any other modern, hiking, symmetric kite, 2-handed dinghies, preferably available in FRP? Scorpion is about the only other such boat I can think of.
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Posted: 21 Oct 15 at 10:06pm |
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RS Quest
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JimC
Really should get out more 
Joined: 17 May 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 6662 |
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Posted: 21 Oct 15 at 10:10pm |
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It all depends what you call modern I suppose. The Scorp dates back to 1959, so I'd struggle to call it modern. I suppose you could make a case, in spite of various rules based weirdnesses, for the Merlin Rocket being modernish, and also its close relative the MRX.
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davidyacht
Really should get out more
Joined: 29 Mar 05 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1345 |
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Posted: 21 Oct 15 at 10:25pm |
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MRX
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Happily living in the past
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Solo4652
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Joined: 08 Apr 15 Location: Stockport Online Status: Offline Posts: 71 |
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Posted: 22 Oct 15 at 10:06am |
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We're struggling, aren't we!
Two experienced, keen Solo sailors here, neither in their first flush of youth... Might have to ditch the idea of a kite entirely and look at something like the Icon. |
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JimC
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Joined: 17 May 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 6662 |
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Posted: 22 Oct 15 at 10:16am |
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Got to ask why you feel the need of a pole kite. I wouldn't want to sail with one on a modern boat. If you're sailing a classic boat then fine its all part of the deal.
Edited by JimC - 22 Oct 15 at 10:17am |
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sawman
Far too distracted from work 
Joined: 04 May 11 Online Status: Offline Posts: 205 |
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Posted: 22 Oct 15 at 10:51am |
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I don't think many new boats with symmetric kites have been developed since the advent of the asymmetric, RS quest is a bit of both.
A lot of the trad symmetrics have been rejuvenated/modernised along the way. the hartley kestrel is a great boat, with the scorp and merlin probably being a bit more techy with raking rigs etc. If they arent too beefy a couple of solo sailors could enjoy a modern miracle, and also have the advantage of racing with their old solo mates on the water! |
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Solo4652
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Joined: 08 Apr 15 Location: Stockport Online Status: Offline Posts: 71 |
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Posted: 22 Oct 15 at 11:09am |
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I have umpteen years of experience of flying symmetric kites on GP14's, Fireballs and Corby 26. I know how these sails work, and I'd like to preserve the skills and knowledge if possible. Also, I like the idea of having the ability to soak deep on runs, especially on smallish inland waters. Having said that, we have found with the X1 that running dead down wind isn't actually that quick. The boat is so fast that the apparent wind is quite a way forward. So, we end up gybing the downwind angles, much like an asymmetric. Maybe that's one reason why symmetric kites have all but disappeared - modern dinghies are too fast to make them work efficiently.
The more I look at the Icon, the more appealing it looks. The crew still has a pole to fuss with and, since it's fixed to the mast, can't clout the helm with it while stowing it on the boom. |
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davidyacht
Really should get out more
Joined: 29 Mar 05 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1345 |
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Posted: 22 Oct 15 at 12:13pm |
I can fully recognise the posters problem, at Salcombe there would be a great opportunity for a modern, light, double floored symmetrical kite, non-trapeze dinghy, to complement our very successful Solo fleet. At the moment our Handicap Fleet is populated by 5 or so Merlins, 5 or so RS400's and 5 or so National 12's. It is a shame that the 15 or so teams could not sail the same boat, since a decent two man fleet might draw off a few of the Solo fleet, and attract new people in. The problem is that the Merlin scares off quite a few "better halves" because there is no thwart and too much string ... The 400 is the boat of choice for these teams since they are very ergonomic, however the assymetric is completely unsuited for our predominantly beat and running, tide cheating venue. There has been some bar chat about re-rigging the RS400 with symmetric kite.
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Happily living in the past
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Time Lord
Far too distracted from work
Joined: 03 Dec 13 Location: Warwickshire Online Status: Offline Posts: 301 |
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Posted: 22 Oct 15 at 12:14pm |
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Try out a modern Merlin Rocket. Spinnaker chute so easy launch/retrieval unlike GP; carbon mast, boom and spinnaker poles that do not hurt when the crew throws them at you; well built and hold their value. The raking rig allows power up/ down easily and they work well on rivers and small waters as well as large reservoirs and the sea.
Get a trial sail in one! |
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Merlin Rocket 3609
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