Contender

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   Hi,Could someone on here answer a few questions i have around the Contender?  i would register on their forum, but its one of those nightmare yahoo groups.

First off what's the ideal weight range for contender sailing?
What hulls are competitive currently?
How much do you need to spend to buy a competitive(Ish) boat?
I have seen pictures of sails with slightly shorter leach making the boom higher, is this common place? As the low boom has always put me off them...i know someone will say its not a problem but i have hated it the several times i have sailed one.

Thanks in advance

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Ruscoe Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 12 Jan 10 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1514	Post Options Post Reply Quote Ruscoe Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Contender Posted: 16 Nov 11 at 11:11pm
	Hi, Could someone on here answer a few questions i have around the Contender? i would register on their forum, but its one of those nightmare yahoo groups. First off what's the ideal weight range for contender sailing? What hulls are competitive currently? How much do you need to spend to buy a competitive(Ish) boat? I have seen pictures of sails with slightly shorter leach making the boom higher, is this common place? As the low boom has always put me off them...i know someone will say its not a problem but i have hated it the several times i have sailed one. Thanks in advance


Contender 541 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 05 Dec 05 Location: Burton on Trent Online Status: Offline Posts: 1402	Post Options Post Reply Quote Contender 541 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 17 Nov 11 at 8:05am
	Morning Russ Weight Range - 85-95Kg will take heavier (I was 105 when I had both of mine), will take lighter as the rig is quite tuneable What Hull - TBH, it is a case of pay your money and take your choice (Wavelength hulls are still out there and competing), but Bonezzi boats are always at the front of the fleet and look stunning The big question of cost - something 7-10 years old with a couple of sails will be around the £2k mark - you can add onto that for carbon spars. I sold 651 for £2500 about 3 years ago and she had a carbon boom but aluminium mast. With a carbon mast, £3k to 3.2k Shorter leach - has been done but not so common Low boom - you do get used to it (honest!!), just the same as you get used to passing the tiller extension around the back of the boat rather than through it (Although when in a hurry.....you get wet)
	When you find a big kettle of crazy it's probably best not to stir it - Pointy Haired Boss Crew on 505 8780

allanorton Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 21 Nov 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 228	Post Options Post Reply Quote allanorton Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 17 Nov 11 at 8:11am
	First off what's the ideal weight range for contender sailing? At the worlds, sailors weight probably ranged from about 60kg to 110kg, I would say that Bjarke (1st) would have been about 75kg, & Andrea(6th) I heard, was about 110kg. I would say the ideal weight would be between 80kg & 95kg. What hulls are competitive currently? Any hulls up to about 15 years old (about GBR 650) can be competitve with a decent carbon rig, it's more down to the sailor. The best hulls are probably wooden Bonezzis, or Wavelength/Chris Somner/Bob Hoare foam sandwich. How much do you need to spend to buy a competitive(Ish) boat? About £4k, GBR692 is advertised on the website for about £3.7k I have seen pictures of sails with slightly shorter leach making the boom higher, is this common place? You can have a short leech sail made, I think they will become more common.

Rockhopper Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 16 Nov 07 Location: Eastry Online Status: Offline Posts: 642	Post Options Post Reply Quote Rockhopper Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 17 Nov 11 at 8:22am
	Low boom put me off as i sailed them in the early nineties and when i swapped fleets this year i changed and bought a 600 but that was my own choice but i am 6ft 3" so the low boom was always a problem for me. Still they are great boats and very quick if only the boom was up a bit i would have had one again
	Retired now after 35 seasons in a row and time for a rest. 2004 national champ Laser5000 2007,2010,National Champ Rs Vareo

winging it Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 22 Mar 07 Online Status: Offline Posts: 3958	Post Options Post Reply Quote winging it Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 17 Nov 11 at 11:02am
	I've owned five contenders now, and everything said so far is pretty much right. I've ranged from 80kg - 85kg when racing and have always wished I weighed more, not less. I am 5'11". The boom is not an issue. If you think about it, you're only under there for a split second or so. You learn to sort of roll under it and it's not a problem. I own 2359, a Kevin Gosling built composite (built 2005) with lovely wooden decks but a composite hull. It has full wavelength carbon rig, brand new wavelength sail used for one hour only! Spare training sails, club racing sail, winder stock, milanes foils, all the goodies.....As soon as I come to my senses and realise I can't sail it anymore it will be for sale for around £3750. There is a fantastic racing circuit, coastal and inland, home and abroad.
	the same, but different...

Contender443 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 01 Oct 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1211	Post Options Post Reply Quote Contender443 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 17 Nov 11 at 2:11pm
	Don't forget you can also get Harpprecht hulls from Germany. To my knowledge there are 3 of these in the UK and much more in Europe. They are significantly cheaper than the Bonezzi or Somner boats. They are also bomb proof and I do not know of one that leaks. That cannot be said of other builders. I was very happy with mine and would still be sailing it had I not chosen a totally different type of sailing.
	Bonnie Lass Contender 1764

PeterG Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 12 Jan 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 823	Post Options Post Reply Quote PeterG Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 17 Nov 11 at 2:35pm
	The Harpprecht hulls seem good. There's one here which does well, though that probably has more to do with who sails it! But it does look very well built and finished. I don't think they are greatly cheaper than Somner boats anymore though. They may have been a few years ago when the £ was stronger against the euro (where's that damned key?), but that's certainly less true now, though the way things are going that may change again! However, you won't find a cheap 2nd hand one about in the UK, yet.
	Peter Ex Cont 707 Ex Laser 189635 DY 59

Ruscoe Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 12 Jan 10 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1514	Post Options Post Reply Quote Ruscoe Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 17 Nov 11 at 3:09pm
	Thanks guys. All interesting stuff, weight wise i am fine then. Glad the hear that shorter leech sails are likely to become popular. I know people say the boom is not a problem, but i wouldn't buy one with the current setup. If i can get a shorter leech sail it may be the boat for me. Thanks again.


mattmd Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Posting king Joined: 23 Mar 09 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 151	Post Options Post Reply Quote mattmd Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 17 Nov 11 at 9:31pm
	Im 6ft 2 and havent found the boom too much hassle once youre used to it :)
	Matt MD Contender GBR-620

Ruscoe Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 12 Jan 10 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1514	Post Options Post Reply Quote Ruscoe Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 17 Nov 11 at 10:37pm
	Too much, is still too much for me. Short leech is way forward, if i look into it any further... Thanks again guys.