rs Vareo's
Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: General
Forum Name: Banter
Forum Discription: For all those non-sailing related discussions
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=4609
Printed Date: 17 Aug 25 at 2:22pm
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Topic: rs Vareo's
Posted By: kensail
Subject: rs Vareo's
Date Posted: 04 Sep 08 at 4:03pm
Seems there is a mass exodus of Vareos from a fleet of seven at Alton Water, one has just been sold and a further 3/4 are up for sale. leaving two. Without a doubt, the Vareo is a great boat with a crap PY. for round the cans. Is this the start of a trend from clubs who only race mixed fleet?????????????  At Alton we only do mixed fleet to the accepted py. You try so hard to move up the fleet only finding after a race the boat you left miles behind is above you. I do understand how frustrating this can be. The Club will not alter the p.y. despite many protestations. Sad. I may have to join the list of up for sale! kensail------------- ken |
Replies:
Posted By: Villan
Date Posted: 04 Sep 08 at 4:40pm
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I may be joining the list in 6 -> 12 months. Selling up and getting a 2nd hand Solution. All depends on how many there are around, and if I have the money .. (Just bought a car so going to be out of pocket for a while They are the best for going out for a blast in, and really do fly downwind. Thats where the problem lies. Because they are so slow upwind, everything gets ahead of you, so you have to try and slalom around lasers that seem to be sitting still to try and get past them .. Its so easy for them to head up a bit, push you over the limit, and send you for a swim. (And then sail off smugly, sailing their slow boats! ) I was at datchet with a few friends a few months back, one of them in a Laser (DaveL), and going downwind without the kite, hes sticking right on my transom. As soon as the kite goes up he seems to be sitting totally stationary! And I'm not even putting in any more effort! Where else can you sail singlehanded with 18.8 m2 of sail ... And be able to go at full chat ... without even hiking!!! It would be OK if more clubs were willing to set Windward/Leward courses ... And I know what I'm going so set over the winter when I do my Race Officer duty! Who else is for sale at Alton? Any idea what they are moving too? I know Nigels is up, has Kevin made his mind up yet? ------------- Vareo - 149 "Secrets" http://www.TandyUKServers.co.uk" rel="nofollow - TandyUK Servers |
)Posted By: Rockhopper
Date Posted: 04 Sep 08 at 4:57pm
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hi ken its seems a shame that your club will not shift the handicap we at broadstairs are going back up in numbers again now up to five again with the pie man getting his new boat up at the end of the month to make us up to 6 with more people looking intrested. as for the handicap it does seem a shame that they will not shift the round the cans handicap we are sailing upwind downwind with no problem and sailing to the handicap of 1038 with quite a few wins in our assymetric class which has 49ers 29ers laser 2000s 4000s 5000s in it. andy ------------- Retired now after 35 seasons in a row and time for a rest. 2004 national champ Laser5000 2007,2010,National Champ Rs Vareo |
Posted By: Webmuppet
Date Posted: 04 Sep 08 at 5:11pm
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Kevin's is already sold + Paul, Flora and I have got ours up for sale. I really enjoyed sailing the Vareo whilst on holiday at Minorca especially as I got to race against other asymmetric boats on a windward/leeward course, however, the prospect of trying to sail it to its PY on a 'round-the-cans' course is a source of much frustration. I've really enjoyed sailing my own Vareo, however it's time for a change and to find something that'll be a new challenge.I spent a small fortune updating my oldish boat to the latest spec in order to do the Vareo Fat Face series but childcare issues and shortage of cash have made travelling to events more difficult that I'd expected, hence it's now available to buy if anyone's interested Nigel ------------- I am the milkman of human kindness, I will leave an extra pint (Billy Bragg) Graduate 2530 'Galaxy' |
Posted By: Merlinboy
Date Posted: 04 Sep 08 at 5:42pm
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My Club wont adjust from the YA py numbers. Its really anoying because we sail on a river and most of the Pys are well off. The problem is that the people that sail the pot hunting albacores and solos will stop sailing if they alter the PY. I just smile and put up with it because club racing is an absolute joke really. I enjoy having a practice with my wife but really enjoy open meetings!!! ------------- |
Posted By: kensail
Date Posted: 04 Sep 08 at 5:48pm
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Yup.
A few windward/leward courses would give a bit of interest.I agree, there is a slow side, but my when it shifts, it shifts. I have to say I am loath to sell up but may join the exodus, or get a third boat. Have retained the Pico I won, my 11 year old grand daughter has just moved into it, soooh there's no cash in that for me. "B" women for you even at that age. Ken. ------------- ken |
Posted By: GraemeB
Date Posted: 05 Sep 08 at 10:56am
| A well sailed boat tends to win ........regardless of it's PY!! |
Posted By: Merlinboy
Date Posted: 05 Sep 08 at 11:13am
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Graeme Thats just plain wrong, two sailers of similar standar racing against each other, one in a boat with a favourable Py and one not the one with the better PY stands a MUCH MUCH better chance of winning ------------- |
Posted By: kensail
Date Posted: 05 Sep 08 at 12:27pm
Hell, Ive started something now  I dont altogether agree with the well sailed boat bit, its not sour grapes either. I have had some great times trying to beat other club members. What I said in the first instant, or meant was, I think some are selling because of the PY. I myself have had great tussells and swims with Nigel in the past and will miss him sailing a "V" Guess I will sink him at the start and have done with it. Laser, HUMBUG!!! Ken.------------- ken |
Posted By: Captain Morgan
Date Posted: 05 Sep 08 at 1:25pm
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Hi. Much of what has been said on here is true. Our club has 4 Vareos now, and this year has seen more "outings" for the Vareo kites than before - with better results for those sailors. "Non-asymmetric" courses will always get people complaining about the way in which the course has been laid, but thinking about it, those Vareo sailors that do put the kite up seem to have a lot of fun! Personally, I think that is the point of the Vareo - It is FUN and it is within reach of most people. I can't see our members swapping their Vareos for anything else (dodgy PY or otherwise) - certainly not while the learning curve (and excitement!) of singlehanding with an asymmetric is still there. |
Posted By: jeffers
Date Posted: 05 Sep 08 at 1:29pm
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I agree that a well sailed boat will not necessarily always win. We have a 'fleet' of Phantoms at hunts. Some are sailed by (without wanting to diss another club member) relatively average sailors and they are almost impossible to beat. I borrowed a Phantom for 1 race and was leading the flet by around 4 minutes after 45 minutes of racing (and then the kicker snapped). The Phantom is very easy to sail until it gets breezy. If I had the money I would probably have one but I don't so I have found a compromise. A Laser with an 8.1 rig, well sailed with keep up with the Phantoms in most winds and when it gets breezy just put the standard rig back on and leave them upside down at the start. For other examples we have the current Comet class champion (has been several times) and the British Moth runner up and former champion. These people are pretty handy sailors but are very easy to beat in handicap racing. Just treat handicap racing as a bit of fun and have a boat where you can class race (I get the best of both worlds with my setup) ------------- Paul ---------------------- D-Zero GBR 74 |
Posted By: kensail
Date Posted: 05 Sep 08 at 2:28pm
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Sounds good, I think that is what our NIgel is aiming for. Never know, will have a look at his kit when he gets it, or if he gets it then who knows?
Cheers Ken.  ------------- ken |
Posted By: Rockhopper
Date Posted: 05 Sep 08 at 3:21pm
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well nigel should sell his boat ok i was at rs the other day and they had 5 second hand vareos in rang up a week later all but one was sold so they are sort after which can only be good for the class . as for the club racing thing as every one says enjoy it i know i do after trying the 300 i found it was great untill i got the hang of it then it became quite tame even in 25 knots.thats one of the reasons i came back to the vareo after this years nationals 25 knots of breeze downwind with the kite much more fun and much in control rather than hanging on . andy ------------- Retired now after 35 seasons in a row and time for a rest. 2004 national champ Laser5000 2007,2010,National Champ Rs Vareo |
Posted By: Webmuppet
Date Posted: 05 Sep 08 at 4:17pm
TT, You've just highlighted one of the main problems: In theory there were six other Vareos to race against at Alton Water, however, in reality you were lucky to find a second one out on the water with you. Each of the fleet had their own issues, with work, childcare, family all taking their toll on peoples availability to go sailing, hence, what looked like a strong Vareo fleet, rarely managed to meet up on race-days......two or three of us would meet up midweek for a social sail but that's not the same as a decent race. In 2006 we held a round of the Face Face series at Alton Water which although succesful was subsequently marred by some whining from some of the visiting competitors about the windsurfers that use Alton Water. Some of us were quite new to the fleet and were very disapointed to find out that Alton Water had been ommitted from the Fat Face circuit for 2007 especially as we had just started to become more competent at sailing our Vareos. Fleets come and go, a few years ago there were no RS200s and only a couple of Phantoms at Alton Water - now there's a half decent fleet of both and the Vareo fleets are much stronger elsewhere, I guess that's life  Nigel ------------- I am the milkman of human kindness, I will leave an extra pint (Billy Bragg) Graduate 2530 'Galaxy' |
Posted By: kensail
Date Posted: 05 Sep 08 at 7:04pm
 Well said Nigel, that's the very reason I left the class association, that and the wingers. If you remember we were completely ignored. I made the offer of the water for the next season, no one even had the decency to contact me and say no. You must admit though, we had some great fun round the cans last year, its only this where we lost out, you with work and me with family problems. As you say, "thats life",. We will make up for it without a doubt before I pop my cloggs.
Ken. ------------- ken |
Posted By: marcus3292
Date Posted: 06 Sep 08 at 3:56pm
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as regard to the py no's of boats every dog has its day, some conditions suit some boats more than other boats, the same goes for courses etc... ken, get a phantom and come along to the local open meetings, there are loads around the east coast, and we all like a beer, you would be more than welcome. ------------- phantoms kick a**e (when sailed well) |
Posted By: Merlinboy
Date Posted: 06 Sep 08 at 3:58pm
Should of known a Phantom sailor would say something like that ------------- |
Posted By: Webmuppet
Date Posted: 06 Sep 08 at 6:09pm
I may carry enough weight to hold down a Phantom, but Ken certainly doesn't (he's more 'Solution' sized)  However getting a Phantom doesn't really solve the issue of what my wife and I might sail a Laser with a radial rig for Mrs Webmuppet + a Rooster 8.1 rig for me ? - compared to a Phantom it's much much cheaper to buy and far cheaper to insure (and before you say it......yes I know there are some cheap Phantoms available - if they are so good why are most of the Alton Water guys sailing very expensive Epoxy hulled boats ?) Nigel ------------- I am the milkman of human kindness, I will leave an extra pint (Billy Bragg) Graduate 2530 'Galaxy' |
Posted By: kensail
Date Posted: 06 Sep 08 at 6:36pm
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Nigel, Is it the boat for sale, or, is it you? I saw a smile on Mrs. Webmuppet's face a couple of weeks ago! You are right, a Phantom would kill me (What did you say Nigel?)
I heard the Phantom meeting at Felixstow was called off today because of the wind, was it that bad folks. I know I did more swimming than sailing today. Ken. I am just orrible! ------------- ken |