Cirrus Icon Development

We were all delighted with the way Icon boat was received by a very great many of you at the show plus the invitations to do demo visits at a number of clubs.  We had expected a good take-up for individual Icon trials so this was an added  bonus.

As Peaky repeats, and some of it is on the website, there is freedom to run the Cunningham back in parallel to the kicker.    I/We are heavily influenced by the Tasar (as well as the NS and similar boats ) -  some controls are intentionally simple in the default set-up and often intended for the crew to manage - not the helm.  

All the major items (for ‘major’ read ‘expensive’)  are and will be strictly one-design and single source to keep costs down and maintain commonality (ensuring a degree of 'fairness' if you like)  but details about the number of purchases on sheeting and control systems, where you actually sheet and how YOU might want to tie knots, fix blocks etc are 'free'.  There are plenty of hard-points in the mouldings to accommodate quite a wide variety of ‘personalisation’.    What you will not be able to do is add additional controls  - Icon will be kept relatively simple – and racing  in our opinion will be the better for it..   One of the most common things said to us over the weekend was that it was refreshing  to see things kept simple – but in a modern, refined and high spec lightweight package.

Now our job changes from development of Icon to getting all those interested in the boat out on the water.  If you did not make the show this year and are interested in Icon get in touch and perhaps also have a go in the next few weeks.

Anyway .... Was bought down to earth with a bump too soon after the show.    The electrics of the lighting board decided just at that moment to throw a complete wobbly thanks (I presume) to the guy who tripped over it in the carpark earlier.  2 hours later and a visit from the AA we got it to partially work so only now (23.40) have I finally got home for the glass of something I promised myself at the end of a great, but very tiring, weekend.

A public thanks goes to all the suppliers, enthusiasts and sailing friends who have helped turn Icon from set of ideas into a real boat over the last year and a bit.  Those of you who have not tried Icon must do so very soon …. And now of course on the water !  

Mike L.

Had a great chat with Peaky on Saturday. The boat looked great, and I really hope those trial sails turn into boats being built. Can't afford one myself, but if I ever happen across a demo day I'd love to have a play anyway, please!

Thanks again for all the +ve feedback here and direct. 

We are very happy for 'you' to try the boat even if you are not likely to be in the 'pioneer' owners group.  We now want as many people as possible to know how it goes now and to build a reputation for Icon.  We want to spread the word.  It will be increasingly raced at various events but we will also be running special 'tester' days and visit - so feel free to ask whether you are likely to buy or not.

Less than 10 of us have sailed the boat to date plus the Y&Y testers -  It is more than a bit different and of course we are a bit fanatical and excited about the finished item.   Even if your cheque book is not going to show up, come along yourself anyway and experience the boat for real and then tell us what you really think.   Shows and new boat launches are great but it is the 'on the water experience that really counts.

Cheers - Mike L.  

Edited by blaze720 - 07 Mar 11 at 11:26am

So that's where you were then, went looking for you on the five oh stand, couldn't see anyone but the tumbleweed..

Think you sent out a search party didn't you Russ??

http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/photos/?s=65&SID=14&boat=&club=Alexandra%20Palace&clss=&desc=RYA%20Volvo%20Dinghy%20Show%202011&p=&yr=2011