Modernising old boats

Originally posted by JimC I'd be (rightly) shot if I upgraded this Cherub to a asymmettric etc... There's a point at which it becomes a) pointless and b) spoils the boat for gain. This is a 1971 built boat. (Photo (c) CVDRA)

Seriously.

It is so difficult to contain yourself.

That's two boys in a boat with a "Love" symbol...

Now I just can't be the only one to think it...

Been tried on a 505...
http://tinyurl.com/2q2aj3

Funny all I saw was a thoroughly efficient hull, that humans could gybe
without falling over (like Olympians at Weymouth in 49ers) that was/is as
efficient a planing/none planing combo that would March equally well in
light weather whilst still delivering in a strong breeze.

That could be sailed equally fast to the corners down wind or deep if the
weather doesn't deliver and that has all the hull features I'd much prefer
over that Bethwaite Barge that ya'll fawn over because there is nothing
sensible to compete with it.

Pity the top equipment on the Alto hasn't been presented in as modern a
light as could be, pity also they dont respond to emails or they might
have had an order..

The other boat that needs an assym makeover with wing-wang option is
the 470, then I'de be really tempted. Particularly if it came with cup
holders and somewhere to put my pipe slippers and rolled up copy of the
yachting times when its breezy.

IMHO a waste of time!

I'm all for updating older boats (er, done one!) but leave stuff like 5o5s and Fireballs alone.  Subtle development, maybe, but the 5o5 works just fine as it is, and looks fantastic as a single string symmetric dinghy.

Even if you did all that work, and you wanted to sail a twin string skiff, sureley you'd still choose an 800/49er over a botched 5o5 anyday?

I saw an Alto racing, it just looked all wrong, it seemed slow, and the kite and pole system looked very feeble...

Rarely a good idea. Its kinda like putting a monster engine in a car designed for a small one: good for a laugh, but the end result is never as good as something designed for the job. Imagine a vintage MG with spoilers airscoops and wings added - wouldn't it make you throw up!

The 505 was a glorious boat in 1950 something, fifteen or twenty years ahead of its time, but turning it into a half ass 49er would be a mess. There are all sorts of aspects of its hull shape that you just wouldn't do like that now. Far better to enjoy it as it is...