Cirrus Icon Development

Well maybe we can offer you  sight of both Icon and the 'V bomber' at the Dash in a few weeks time from GRF's comments.  We all have a tendancy to think our own 'offspring' are beautiful so we'll just have to let you judge for yourselves .... 'beauty or beast'.

Any idea of the 'V' PN yet Greame ?   Don't be coy now ... Go on surprise us !

Until then ...      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNv10CsuDgE

Mike L.

PS ... and for the record  I also erred from the right 'path' many years ago and dabbled around on  boards  for nearly 15 years before sanity returned.... driven back in part by that 'unlimited pumping while standing up' lunacy ... a different sport altogether !.  


Edited by blaze720 - 07 Sep 11 at 4:30pm

It's a shame the Draycote Dash has been postponed, but at least it gives me more chance for some much needed practise!
In the meantime, I could have posted this photo in the favourite photo's thread, but it seemed like a good opportunity to revive this one.

Just because no one contacted me asking for information. I assume I have to register with Y&Y somehow. It's a shame though, because at least I subscribe to the mag, and use the wesite/forum, which is more than most class secretaries do, I suspect.

We are currently building  number 5 and 6 excluding building for stock.  In the current climate I think Icon, the production animal, will appeal but needs to be seen in the flesh and as I always say - much better tried.  It is a very different approach and is highly regarded by the few top sailors who have given feedback in the past 3 months on the finished article. The 2011 Dinghy Show was a bit early for us in reality but as we only do the one exhibition ourselves each year and we made the decision to show it this year rather than delay to 2012 - so a lot more got to know about the development early and realise it was more than just a forum aspiration.

Hulls have been finalised for nearly 10 months now and all hull production tooling was produced late last year -  but rig optimisation continued through the summer and we have become very very happy with the overall package.    We are now working on the commercial aspects setting up distribution and very possibly licensing of others soon to produce in volume.   In my opinion only fully sorted quality products that are still good value for money can succeeed and we are not trying to emulate the larger builders and storm the market quickly.  Cirrus has no intention, or capability to pour large sums of additional money into marketing, hence the policy of seeking alliances and licensing of larger players.  

Does it constitute a class ?  Well of course not just yet !  The 12 DCB is a totally different beast aimed at a very different segment.   Great boat as well but very far from being for everybody or in the same segment imho.
  
You will see Icon(s) at some of the winter handicaps for sure and if time and conditions permit we will make them available for quick trials.

Now I've spent far too much time on the Y&Y forum recently so will be backing off for a while ... far too much going on here still !  However I do hope a few more will soon be able to appreciate Icon around the winter events.  We had hoped to be at the Dash this weekend but thats life - not long to the next few though.

Mike L.


Edited by blaze720 - 16 Nov 11 at 12:26pm

Now I know that I hadn't just missed it, I have to say you missed a good marketing opportunity there. Personally the race classes guide was instrumental in helping me select the right class of boat. The X1 riverboat did get in so I can only assume they were more proactive.

I would also update the class website, which seems to have been stagnant for a while.

I mean all this constructively as someone who is in the marketing industry. It is difficult times and you just cannot afford to miss opportunities like this.


Edited by rb_stretch - 16 Nov 11 at 12:51pm