Cirrus Icon Development

Originally posted by Russell Moore Come on Peaky, what would be the point of the Icon if it wasn't faster than the Tasar?

There must be loads - better suitability for small lakes, to suit a particular person's asthetic taste, to suit a heavier crew weight - I'm sure Peaky has many more. But, I agree that being faster than a Tasar in most conditions would be a good target!

Speed .... always in the eye of the beholder.

No the Tasar is not a target anymore than any other class - you may as well say any other 2-sail or modest 3 -sail boat is a 'target'.  BUT anyone who has sailed Icon already will know that it is as fast or faster than a Tasar when it blows and carries a wider range of weight easily .... the key difference is that 35 years of NS14 hull development followed the class after the Tasar development .... and the later NS hulls also go extremely well in lighter breezes.  Icon is much much closer to these modern shapes but longer/larger and is as capable but in a very much wider wind range than the Tasar - very useful for us in the UK/Europe generally and on many resticted waters.

35 years ago the possibilities now open to us today of very low drag slim-line carbon masts was not available to Bethwaite - hence the wing mast approach which does continue to today with modern NS14's - But we were not tied to that approach and the judgement, after testing both for long periods, was that the rig ultimately adopted was 'easier', 'faster', much lighter and had superior responce plus is was always and considerably better in lighter winds.  We were also able to effectively to 'seal' the tube making inversion highly unlikely.

I suppose it is natural to compare the two classes given their respective and related roots but they are very different.   You will now find as many N12 and MR influences as Tasar and NS14 ones in Icon.

Just try - Forums and even Y&Y reviews are great but there is nothing like trying for yourself.

Mike L
     

 

Originally posted by getafix I'd imagine it wouldn't be tough to design a new, single trapeze, double hander that was 2X Fireball speed

2X???

Originally posted by getafix I'd imagine it wouldn't be tough to design a new, single trapeze, double hander that was 2X Fireball speed

You reckon? If it were genuinely 2 * Fireball speed it would slaughter foiler moths on the water... Even a 49er is barely 2* Optimist speed round the track if PY is any guide at all.

Originally posted by getafix If I had the dough I'd have arranged a test sail already - I don't so I'm not wasting their time.

You're welcome to try it any time. It's not wasting anyones time, especially if you like it and spread the word