Now that it's been around for a while what do people think of the 8.1? Any pleasant surprises or disappointments?

I love my 8.1. As for the stuck in irons comment above if it is doing that you need to:

1) Use more cunningham

2) Go through the tack a bit further and release a bit more main to prevent it

Aside from that even when the breeze gets up it is surpisingly manageble. I would say however that once a standard rig is planing all the time on the reaches then there is no point to the 8.1 as the standard is faster (for the same reason that a Radial is faster than a standard in mere mortal hands when it gets really windy).

For restricted water sailing (ie inland on a small gravel pit) it is very good on handicap, it can even give the (ultimate) bandit a run for it's money (the class names have been removed to protect the guilty and prevent a pointless argument).

There are also no adverse affects on the hull, I have an older boat which has been (ab)used for 2 1/2 years with the 8.1 rig with no ill effects to the mast pot area (which was an area of concern).

My only criticism is that they do not do the extended bottom section any more just the mast extender.

We now have 5 at Hunts with 3 sailing regularly in our Wednesday evening series. It has made for some good entertainment and there is more interest being shown. What we all do as a rule is use the 8.1 for handicap races and then switch back to the standard rig for the afternoon fleet races.

If you are around the Cambridge area and want to try one then let me know and you can have a go with mine.

I just got an 8.1 myself a few months ago, I am 70kg but sail on a puddle and it has transformed wednesday evening sailing for me. I am full hiking in 5-8mph. I chickened out (pun not intended) of using it last night as the 15mph would have been a bit hairy (although I would love a go in that much wind but not in a race).

My hull is fine but it has taken a toll on my boom and top section. If you look at the tuning guide you pull the main in block to block and then pull on the kicker and this is the loosest you ever have it! This means the mast bends quite a bit which has knackered my mast collar which I needed to re-rivet on the other day, when doing this I noticed a crack round the rivet hole so I now need to end-for-end the mast before it snaps. The boat is 12 years old so I am sure the 8.1 didnt cause this problem but it could be the straw that broke the camels back.

I wouldnt say it is a bandit per se but the extra horse power off the line in handicap races gets me out in front of the large Laser pack and then I have clear air and no traffic to contend with which gives me a chance of sailing to yardstick.

I say go for it if you sail on a small lake.

I agree with most of the above - a great relatively economic way to get a single hander for the larger frame.

I think its very good.

However, its such a shame that as a class nothing has developed - Rooster do not seem to be pushing it so it remains a club handicap boat.

There must have been lots of people about who have outgrown their Laser and would love to do some events without having to buy a Finn or Phantom ?.

I guess that it would need someone to really push it a a stand alone class, but I'm sure Rooster could have assisted ?

other shame is lightweight (normal weight ) laser sailors are buying them and winning in light winds , lightweights (relative )also win 8.1 events , so not really an alternative to a finn or phantom for a larger fella wanting to be competitive .

2007 8.1 nats winner - Steve cockerill - 8times laser radial winner .

2008 8.1 nats winner - Steve Cockerill

2009  8.1 Nats winner - Jon Emmmett -  Laser Radial Nat Champion .

disregarding hcap races where folks choose rigs to suit , it would appear that even in class racing 8.1 racing is dominated by lightweight sailors , dont see phantom /finn weight sailors having a look in .

God help the phantom class if Steve turns his attentions to them , with a specialist carbon mast and crafty cut sail , guess he could cause a stir there ,

perhaps classes touted at heavy weights should have min helm weights and Lead correctors

I've done all three 8.1 nationals so far. 

2007 was light winds and not many people had had the rig to learn how to set it up.  It was my first go with it.  Steve was pushed for the result and it was a last race decider despite this.

2008 was howling!  Again a lot of people were not sure how to depower the rig.  It was noticeable that Steve knew exactly how to depower the rig.  Getting upwind was incredibly hard work!  Also the guys pushing him were the correct size and had been sailing with the rig more regularly so were getting there.

2009 was an absolute drifter.  I was struggling to make the boat move at all!  It was at Jon Emmetts home club, he's light, and he has incredibly good technique to keep the boat moving when the water was mirror like.

I'm a radial sailor but took part as it was at my home club for 2 of them, and I'm married to the sail designer who also took part each year.  I hope non of the rest of the fleet get annoyed with people my size joining in - I'm really not a threat for the prizes in the 8.1, but its a sociable group and so much fun to sail.  Surely its better to get numbers out.

To echo the above I was at the 2009 nats. It was very light and Jon was worried about the Sunday being windy. He did dominate in the light stuff. Had the wind not been quite so extreme on the Sunday I think there may have been a different national champ.

Having said that there were a lot of 'hired' rigs with lightweights and a few squad sailors in them. I was pleased at being one of the top 8.1 owners. I would have liked a little more wind though.....

At Hunts I have competition from 2 relative lightweights. To be fair we are all around the same sort of ability level but are rarely seperated by big distances on the water.

Having become dispondent about the lack of class racing I've relented and bought a phantom.

I am amazed at the performance differential - even after just a few sails.

Hiking is a (compartive) joy, the helm is buetifully balanced and the rig is so flexible  - another league.

However - if there were a proper series of events I'd have stuck with the 8.1.

The issue over lightweights picking ar ig up for just those ;light days is certainly a problem.

You get the same in a Phantoms though Rich. We have several at Hunts and a good percentage of them are well below the recognised minimum weight limit.

I have been known to borrow a Phantom and go for a play with them (to prove a point more than anything) but I will stick with the 8.1 (cos i can afford a Phantom and I couldn't sail it when it gets windy).

Jeffers

I'm sure you do get some lightweights and I'm sure that every dog will have its day (like most classes).

However if rigs are not interchangeable its more likely that people will chose a class that most suits their size, ability and sailing location.

Also the Phantom offers different rigs for different weights.

My resaon fr the change was the lack of class activity really though.

Sounds like the 8.1 is worth a try anyway. I'll have a look at the Rooster site but if anyone has a spare one they fancy selling then let me know...

Thanks for all your comments.

Julian

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