Hornet

Minimum weight is 126kg
Hornet Rules
They are quick boats.

I can't comment on whether the gybing c/b is worth the aggro.
Probably not.

Well worth a look at though.
Probably a good boat for Pevensey ;-)

we used to have a few at our club but they've all been replaced by 400's.  Good sea boat, quick up wind (faster than a 400).  you could get a lot of boat for very cheap but the class is dwindling.  I think you would be better off in something like a fireball or 200

Alex

Originally posted by AlexM we used to have a few at our club but they've all been replaced by 400's.  Good sea boat, quick up wind (faster than a 400).  you could get a lot of boat for very cheap but the class is dwindling.  I think you would be better off in something like a fireball or 200 Alex

Hornet sailors going over to 400s would suggest that maybe we are a bit light for one, correct me if I'm wrong.

Furball and 200 still on my list of possibles. The attendance figures are a real consideration though.

 

Originally posted by Merlinboy I think they are common in classes that allow them.   5oh, 14's etc.  Not sure why they are more hassle either.  I have not sailed with one and we have a fixed high aspect board in our 5oh, but isn't the gybing function automatic?? I have always been suprised the Hornet was not a more popular boat,  they seem like great value for money.  I have heard however they have a shocking handicap.

from what I can see the gybing is automatic....it seems the jury is out as to the benefits though.

Edited by GK.LaserII

I had a half share in a Hornet for a few years. Great fun if steep learning curve(but we did move from a gp and a laser). We paid £500 for ours on a good combi with boom up cover and apart from usual maintainance and bimbling it didnt cost us anything. 30 year old boats still win the nats and europeans as they were built so well. There is a lot of boat for your money.

Ours had a gybing board and in the light you raised it slightly so it locked straight. I dont think we were good enough to tell you if it made any difference but the theory is right but not all boats have gybing boards.

Strangler comes on here sometimes he could tell you more.

Sold ours last year for what we paid and missed it ever since.  There is an open at Netley soon. You may well get a try out.

i still have a very old vintage one waiting to be rebuilt with sliding seat instead of trapeze.

Weight wise we are about 80kgs each but both short and there are lots of girl crews.

Edited by rogerd

If you are looking for performance for £500, the Hornet
is a good option. For this, you would expect to buy a
boat with the same hull shape as the latest boats
(Revolution type - the hull shaped had not been tweaked
in the last 30 years, unless many other traditional
classes: Fireballs, Scorpions, etc).
If you turn up at a championship you can be competitive
with a Hornet of this age - their longevity is legendary.
How many classes can genuinely say that 20-30 year old
boats can win championship races?

The 126kg is an all-up weight (hull, foils, spars, etc
but not sails). Nearly all other classes quote hull
weights - it's quirky thing about the Hornet. Hornet hull
weight is estimated at 95-100kg.

130kg is a very competitive weight for a Hornet. Dave
Jones and Mark Hogan blitzed the fleet in a breeze when
they used to sail a Hornet - they weighed in at about
120kg.

PM me if you want some details or a sail