A nice boat; what does it for you?

   Reading the string from David Henshall's article and radical thinking it struck me how it turned into simply having fun with nice boats.
So what makes a nice boat for you? What radical changes could make boats nicer?

Can I suggest we see if we can keep this string confined to positive comments with no derogatory digs at other classes, well at least until the New Year's resolutions have bitten the dust anyway  

For me it's not about speed as such, although I do like a bit of pace & power to get over a strongly running tide. Something that will work well in light and heavy conditions, or a least be comfortable to be in even if not absolutely working to it's optimum.
I can live with a little bit of weight, especially in a sea, I guess the perfect balance of weight to power can be different for varying levels of skill. Enough mass to keep trucking upwind through waves and chop without excessive athletics but not too much to prevent it from accelerating away when a gust comes. 

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Do Different Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 26 Jan 12 Location: North Online Status: Offline Posts: 1312	Post Options Post Reply Quote Do Different Report Post Quote Reply Topic: A nice boat; what does it for you? Posted: 21 Dec 14 at 7:54am
	Reading the string from David Henshall's article and radical thinking it struck me how it turned into simply having fun with nice boats. So what makes a nice boat for you? What radical changes could make boats nicer? Can I suggest we see if we can keep this string confined to positive comments with no derogatory digs at other classes, well at least until the New Year's resolutions have bitten the dust anyway For me it's not about speed as such, although I do like a bit of pace & power to get over a strongly running tide. Something that will work well in light and heavy conditions, or a least be comfortable to be in even if not absolutely working to it's optimum. I can live with a little bit of weight, especially in a sea, I guess the perfect balance of weight to power can be different for varying levels of skill. Enough mass to keep trucking upwind through waves and chop without excessive athletics but not too much to prevent it from accelerating away when a gust comes.

Koops Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Groupie Joined: 01 Mar 10 Location: Wiltshire Online Status: Offline Posts: 52	Post Options Post Reply Quote Koops Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 21 Dec 14 at 9:04am
	A boat that does most things well but, a bit like motorcycles in my experience, realistically I need a 'quiver' of models that I don't have space or the money for! On my list of pluses are: Ease of Single-handed sailing = control access, chined hull, capsize recovery; Ease of slipway and dinghy park manoeuvring = light, non-fully battened sail; Speed of rigging = simple fittings/controls; Ease of trailing = all kit incl mast fits under the cove, under/over covers easy to fit; Exciting performance = lightweight for fast acceleration and early planing, some spray for sensation of speed but preferably not directed at my face! Versatile use = satisfying to race but with space for a passenger and enough stability to relax; Relative speed = fast enough to be mixing it with other boats racing in handicap fleet; Kit friendly = space to stow drinks bottle, hot-top, ease of compass and sport-cam attachment; Good looking = sleek, minimalist, even wood grain! So predominantly easy and speedy, with some creature comforts, sort-of a Ducati Multistrada 1200 :-)

JimC Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 17 May 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 6662	Post Options Post Reply Quote JimC Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 21 Dec 14 at 10:12am
	Very hard thing to articulate, especially without criticising much beloved yet highly flawed sacred cows, but I like good design, simplicity, lightness, control and performance. Edited by JimC - 21 Dec 14 at 10:19am

Null Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 11 May 14 Online Status: Offline Posts: 745	Post Options Post Reply Quote Null Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 21 Dec 14 at 11:44am
	What I want from a boat changes so regularly it's hard to detail. In an ideal world it would a double hander to sail with a friend or my wife. But life gets in the ways, so it's single handed sailing for me. If I am honest if I bought a double hander I wouldn't actually care what it was, it's more about the people in the fleet, the fact there is a fleet and the quality of the racing. Plus I would like it to be broadly competitive on handicap, but not a bandit! In terms of single hander as everyone knows I am really enjoying my zero at the moment, what sold it to me was initially the look of the boat. But then the simplicity really did it for me. For so long now I have been a rig messer. Always tweaking, measuring, adding new systems. It actually had a negative effect on my sailing. I love the head out of the boat looking for competitors and wind pressure style of sailing that I had back when sailing solos and lasers.. So for a single hander my check list is Easy and quick to rig/pack Fast but useable across a large wind range Friendly fleet Simple....laser simple Looks cool: always like to be wowed when I pull back the cover (why not it cost me enough) Usable on the sea and inland. Competitive racing across the fleet (not just rock stars but normal humans as well)

Rupert Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 11 Aug 04 Location: Whitefriars sc Online Status: Offline Posts: 8956	Post Options Post Reply Quote Rupert Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 21 Dec 14 at 4:45pm
	I simply want a boat that when I get in it, it feels "right". I'm not exactly sure what makes it so, though, as many varying boats have done so. Possibly "feels a bit like a Firefly" might get close (though in big winds on the sea, a Firefly doesn't feel like a Firefly to me, just scary) as that is where I began. Weight wise, I want it light enough that I can pull it onto the trolley over the bank, so I don't have to get my feet wet launching and recovering. If I wanted wet, I'd go swimming. I even sometimes in mid summer find myself doing this, even though a nice paddle is actually lovely. Speed - don't want to be out miles in front or miles behind on handicap - must feel fast.
	Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686

Bootscooter Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 15 May 07 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1094	Post Options Post Reply Quote Bootscooter Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 21 Dec 14 at 7:31pm
	This may sound daft, but I want fun and that means a hull that is most certainly NOT perfect, slippery and efficient! I still insist that the "fastest" boat I've ever sailed is the Laser II, with it's vaguely out of control feeling at speed, 3/4 of the hull out of the water and at least 5 fire-hoses worth of water coming straight at my face. The boy saw this today out in his Laser in a blow, after having spent the last few weeks in the D-One. It's the same as driving a BMW at 120 mph as opposed to 70 in a 1970's Mini..... It's the flaws that make the feeling.

Rupert Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 11 Aug 04 Location: Whitefriars sc Online Status: Offline Posts: 8956	Post Options Post Reply Quote Rupert Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 21 Dec 14 at 7:56pm
	So, a boat needs the marine equivelant of skinny tyres? Could explain why the Minisail is fun.
	Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686

craiggo Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 01 Apr 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1810	Post Options Post Reply Quote craiggo Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 21 Dec 14 at 8:52pm
	I agree with Bootscooter. I jumped into a Laser in the summer for the first time in over 10yrs and had an absolute ball. I get the same joy from my Graduate. That said I still love my RS700. I think I get the most enjoyment from being able to experience a bit of everything.

drifter Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Posting king Joined: 09 Jun 08 Location: Oxfordshire Online Status: Offline Posts: 177	Post Options Post Reply Quote drifter Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 21 Dec 14 at 9:17pm
	I like boats with no horrible vices-for instance dont become unsailable on a windy run. Hence Grad or Alb, or Solo singlehanded. Also, still go well in light winds. In an ideal world, an Albacore at half the weight, or an affordable Merlin.
	Stewart

Guests Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Guest Group	Post Options Post Reply Quote Guests Quote Reply Posted: 22 Dec 14 at 11:02am
	I agree speed is not everything - a basic Caterham is more fun than a Bugatti Veyron etc. The faults of a boat can sometimes lead to the best fun. A laser radial off wind in 20 knots plus is still a massive laugh. but part of that comes from the inherent fault of too small a rudder meaning you are on the edge of control. That said the rest of the time there are now better alternatives. Racing a folkboat, or similar keelboat in tidal conditions where every angle and 1/4 knot make a difference is not only a pleasure because of the boats inherent balance and sea properties, but because the whole racing experience is so tactically demanding.