Boats hardly anyone talks about Pt 1 - Hornet

Merlins tried them long ago and didn't like them. It upset the balance of the rig, and I suppose there was no perceived reason to go through the lengthy and costly development process to get them to work.

I guess with 505s and Fireballs especially that the racing is so good that there is no need to upset the applecart. For a season or two you'll have the development years where one or the other might be faster, then after 4 or 5 seasons everyone will have the same kit an you'll be back where you started.

just because something is though to be "better" doesn't mean its worth reinventing the wheel to adopt it :)

where are you? certainly can be arranged if you want to have a blast

yup, carbon booms are OK, as are carbon foils, and other bits - just not in the hull, mast and sails, Deck stepped should be OK, but I think one of the bands on the mast has to be at the sheerline, which means the mast extending below that level (but I am probably wrong)

Dougal, would love to hear about Battengate - that must have passed me by

I have many a fond memory of Hornets having sailed alongside Nick & Sue Russell for many years. Fantastic understated boats, much like the Marauder. Could have been so so good if the 90s assymetric revolution hadnt got in the way.

Ha John....almost right - Ginger Nuts was 2046. I have the picture up on the wall here - with Mikey Todd (of Pink Hammer skiff fame) crewing for me - sailing had been binned for the day but I went and did a 'demo' job for the Banks rig. I also had a small input into the Smith rig too..... one day..... one day, when the time is right, I'll put pen to paper and write the story of 'battened main gate' (it made Watergate look like Andy Pandy).

The reason why most classes don't go fully battened is that they were specifically banned within the class rules. If you think the Hornet went well under fully battened, the Greg Gregory Ghost - his 15ft long mega-Cherub, had a high aspect fully battened main and despite the size, was sailed at Hamble with the FD fleet!! Super quick!

D