Dinghy development: Pisces Singlehander

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Pisces Singlehander

Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: Dinghy classes
Forum Name: Dinghy development
Forum Discription: The latest moves in the dinghy market
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=4855
Printed Date: 17 Jan 26 at 7:17pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Pisces Singlehander

Posted By: Medway Maniac
Subject: Pisces Singlehander
Date Posted: 11 Nov 08 at 6:19pm

I vaguely remember the Pisces coming out way back when. Another failed Brit answer to the Laser, it would seem. Here are some pics of one currently for sale:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk:80/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160297981228&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:GB:1123 - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk:80/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item= 160297981228&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:GB:1123

Did anybody here ever sail a Pisces? What was it like? Where did the builders go wrong in their quest to make a Laser-beater?

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http://www.wilsoniansc.org.uk" rel="nofollow - Wilsonian SC
http://www.3000class.org.uk" rel="nofollow - 3000 Class

Replies:

Posted By: Rupert
Date Posted: 11 Nov 08 at 7:44pm

It is possible that there is nothing at all wrong with the design, but that it couldn't compete with the Laser mass marketing machine.

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Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686

Posted By: Merlinboy
Date Posted: 11 Nov 08 at 8:35pm

He didnt say there was anything wrong with the boat design. It actually reads "Where did the builders go wrong."

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Posted By: Rupert
Date Posted: 12 Nov 08 at 4:40pm

True...not having bottomless pockets, I expect!

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Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686

Posted By: jamesewanharvey
Date Posted: 12 Nov 08 at 6:12pm

I bet the main doesnt get caught in the corner!

Posted By: Rupert
Date Posted: 12 Nov 08 at 6:44pm

The mainsheet layout was the same as the Laser, so I wouldn't bet on it!

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Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686

Posted By: PeterV
Date Posted: 13 Nov 08 at 12:44pm

If you read the design story for the Laser you'll find that a great emphasis was placed on achieving a waterline length that gave a good performance. Since every other 'Laser alternative' is shorter, and is slower, perhaops they got the design right.

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PeterV
Finn K197, Finn GBR564, GK29
Warsash

Posted By: Medway Maniac
Date Posted: 13 Nov 08 at 8:35pm

That's my view too, Peter, for what it's worth.

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http://www.wilsoniansc.org.uk" rel="nofollow - Wilsonian SC
http://www.3000class.org.uk" rel="nofollow - 3000 Class

Posted By: tickler
Date Posted: 13 Nov 08 at 9:56pm

Quite right, Lasers do get speed from waterline length but not much else so buy a Supernova. The succesfull Laser alternative.

Posted By: hollandsd
Date Posted: 13 Nov 08 at 10:03pm

yeah very true, and they do well on handicap too, whenever i have raced one i have done very well, they scream on a slightly broad reach

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Laser 184084
Tasar 3501
RS600 698
RS600 782

Posted By: JimC
Date Posted: 14 Nov 08 at 8:35am

Originally posted by Medway Maniac

Where did the builders go wrong in their quest to make a Laser-beater?

The basic concept I think.

Why would you want a boat that's just like a Laser but not a Laser? If you like Lasers why ouldn't you buy a proper one, and if you don't like Lasers you won't like a not-quite-a-Laser anyway. The only possible market is people who complain about the markups on Laser kit to pay for the promotion overheads, and as that is likely to be mainly people who buy secondhand they aren't going to be in the market for a new boat anyway...

Posted By: Medway Maniac
Date Posted: 14 Nov 08 at 12:06pm

Originally posted by JimC

Why would you want a boat that's just like a Laser but not a Laser? If you like Lasers why ouldn't you buy a proper one, and if you don't like Lasers you won't like a not-quite-a-Laser anyway. The only possible market is people who complain about the markups on Laser kit to pay for the promotion overheads, and as that is likely to be mainly people who buy secondhand they aren't going to be in the market for a new boat anyway...

Well you've answered your own question there Jim. Who wouldn't prefer to buy a new boat that was 20% cheaper?

Also, I said 'Laser beater'. I'd have thought it not impossible even in the 70's to come up with something that was not only 20% cheaper but sailed better too. Heck, if you just copied the Laser (with a few visual differences to avoid copyright probs), moved the bridle 20cm forward to reduce mainsheet snagging, put a decent kicker on, and bevelled the inboard edges of the cockpit, you'd already have been substantially ahead. They were all deficiencies evident on your first sail.

But while many of the contenders, e.g. the Lightning, addressed some of those issues, they were all so darned short and doomed to be slower.

And don't forget that at that time the Laser wasn't so omnipresent that it was unstoppable. I felt at the time that had the Minisail been given a decent rig with stiffer spars and a sail that borrowed on the Laser's example it could have been a match. I recall seeing a quite able Minisail helm try to take on the Lasers back then, but as soon as it blew up enough for him to get on the seat and challenge them, the sail was twisted off way out of control - more kicker would just have bent the boom more - terrible.

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http://www.wilsoniansc.org.uk" rel="nofollow - Wilsonian SC
http://www.3000class.org.uk" rel="nofollow - 3000 Class