Anyone else read Roll Tacks in the latest Y&Y?  DJ Edwards and Rick Peacock are going to get some none sailors crewing for them and see who can win their club series.  To spice things up they are doing this in 49ers.  Whilst I'm all for getting new blood into the  sport, does anyone else think that this is irresponsible and arrogant.  For starters, what does it say about their opinions of crews?  What if, as is highly likely, they capsize and need rescuing - tieing up a rescue boat.  What if they rip a kite - should the insurance pay?  I don'tthink so, if a novice crews a 49er, you've gotta expect damage.  Why should my premiums bale them out for willful neglect?

I think the Roll Tacks column is great, and I have a lot of respect for what both these sailors have achieved - but they seem to think that Chris Draper's role is child's play. 

Have I missed the point? What do you guys think? 

I think you have missed the point ...

Helms of their ability will know what they can & can't achieve with a novice crew even in a boat like the 49er and will also know when not to go afloat if the conditions look dodgey.

Colin Goodman (ex-POW winner) introduced his non-sailing girlfriend to the sport at the front of the 49er and she managed under his guidance.

Just because these guys are taking on a novice dosn't mean they don't respect the role of the crew....

Rick

I think they mean out of the two of them ...

Don't let my helm see this thread!!!

If I remember Jeremy Clarkson was rather unimpressed by the 49er, but it was only about 5-8 knots.

I think if someone is good enough to feel confident in a boat with a coplete novice it can only be good. Friends of mine that I've taken sailing in albs, ents,  ...etc have been a bit bored and thought hiking painful (don't we all!), and haven't been to fussed to have another go.

However, those that I've taken out in a trapeze boat like the ISO, BOSS, 29er have all really enjoyed it. Most prefering the boats like the topper boats with lots of spray and the bow high in the air ride, which gives them the sensation going fast (think someone else mentioned this 'spray' factor in another thread)

May be someone should offer Jeremy another go in a 49er in about 15knts, or in a boat thats not so efficient and creates more fuss and see if that changes his opinion...

My crew has only ever sailed in two boats. He came down to the club one day and our local expert, Russ McGovern took him for a ride in a 49er. Next week he came out with me and has stayed ever since.

As I have said in over threads, moving to a twin-trap mono is a huge step, whether you are moving up from an Enterprise or starting from scratch. And whenever I have played in monos I have felt far more at ease in a 49er than, say a L4k (auto-rig, self tacking jib, nice wings rather than uncomfortable bars etc).

The hit on boat breakages will probably be less than if two newbies teamed up in a 49er. And don't forget that the helms carry policy excesses and their policy premiums will be based on their claim history so it's not in their financial interests to go crazy. And it's two more people sailing.

it said complete novices in the article so i doubt they will have any experience with water sports.

not sure though

I reckon the commentary would probably go a bit like this...

And he's away!! Plenty of mainsheet, just look at that thing go off the startline.  Hitting the first corner, just look how flat that thing is!  Right, into the first windward mark, and remember it's SOAKING wet out there today.  No cunningham for Stiggy today though, he's switched it off and is in maximum attack mode! Ok he's coming up for the bearaway, will he lose the back end?  No, perfectly balanced with just a hint of windward heel to keep the thing pointing the right way.  Kite up now and its POWER POWER POWER!!!!!!!  Into the gybe, will the rudder grip?  Yes, just look at that, not a hint of cavitation and the Stig's hitting the other wire and he's into Gambon, kite down and he's across the line!!!

(cue applause)

The question is who would be the Stig for that week?

For those not in the know, Stiggy changes week on week - When they did the 911 GT3, Stiggy was the Hamster! (It was his car)

...of the dump?

Back on topic,

Kita took out a complete novice in her 4000 when it was blowing a F4-6 at Grafham, reckon that might be slightly more difficult than training novices up on 49er when its a  nice day, plus their overall weight was 120kg if they were eating well that day. Kita didn't have any major problems, and reckon the deck layout of the 4000 would be more off putting and confusing than a 49er.