Cirrus Icon Development

I've sent you a PM Mike.

For what it is worth I found the system on 03 very good, we have just used it and never thought about it, the sign of a good, reliable system in my experience? If you mess with it and Lesley isn't happy there will be consiquences!

Bellingforth,

I don't think you can really say anything much meaningful about the crew weight range of the icon until you get a few of them racing together, and you form a view of which crews are disadvantaged by being light or heavy.
In the 400's we see the heavier pair generally going better in F5+, the lighter ones going well in the light stuff, but across the general range of F2 to F4/lower F5, I reckon what those over 25 stone gain upwind, they lose downwind, compared with people down to around 20 stone.
Provided the course is reasonable.
But the difference weight makes is relatively small, however it may become very significant in a fleet situation.
I'm curious whether the icons more flexible rig might mean the fatties have less edge upwind, but the light people still score in marginal planing down wind. You won't really see that without getting a fleet together a few times. Plus enough people sailing them to separate weight from ability.

I would also add that being heavy probably helps more on a 'random harbour tour' with tight kite legs than it does on a proper W/L course where the lighter crews can sail deeper and keep planing. Despite not having a kite, I expect tight reaches reward weight in a icon too?

Also sea conditions matter, it seems to me that heavier crews score in our wind over tide chop upwind whereas on a flat sea, I'd rather be light. But it takes a sparring partner or two to show the changes. A 1% edge is a lot in a fleet race, but can be hard to see under PY.
For PY racing I wouldn't let your weight put you off the icon, unless you really look like N12 or Soling candidates.

Crew weight ? 

'400' is right up to a point for sure.  When we get numbers sailing together the subtle differences and impact of varying crew weights will become more apparent.  However this was anticipated when the boat/rig was developed and the carbon rig is very much more adaptable for varying weights than the alloy rig that could have appeared on Icon at one stage.    Many 'budget' carbon masts are also too bendy imo and the heavies can end up being disadvantaged in some conditions  - there are many other factors at play as well.   Getting the balance of hull form and rig right is critical if you are going to end up with a wide effective crew weight range in a single package (our prime objective). 

If we've got it right every dog will have its day ... but critically not feel horriobly uncompetitive in 'other' conditions.  We think we have got pretty close ... try Icon and see if you agree.  

Mike L.