New Posts New Posts RSS Feed: Dinghy popularity
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Register Register  Login Login

Dinghy popularity

 Post Reply Post Reply Page  <1 35363738>
Author
craiggo View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more
Avatar

Joined: 01 Apr 04
Location: United Kingdom
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1810
Post Options Post Options   Quote craiggo Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Dinghy popularity
    Posted: 24 Jun 13 at 9:28pm


Spot on James.

I think so many people end up calling time on sailing because they buy the wrong boat for the club they join. Partly its because they believe the piece of plastic they sailed off of a beach on their summer holiday constitutes a racing dinghy, and partly due to believing the sales patter. Oddly they often seem less inclined to believe genuine experienced dinghy sailors, WHY?
Back to Top
L123456 View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more


Joined: 30 Apr 12
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 500
Post Options Post Options   Quote L123456 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Jun 13 at 9:26pm
Originally posted by yellowwelly

But there are no problems, not with the hardware anyway - plenty of choice, maybe too much even... the only problems are self inflicted by poor boat selection, be that location variables or skill factor and TOW.

I know that's not ideal for forum chitter chatter, but it's the reality of the situation. If you want a cheap boat then get something off fleabay and race it at a club that will give you an appropriate handicap. If the club won't do that, find another one. If you want a fast boat, buy one... Happy Sailing - somewhere large enough for it.

Exactly, pick the right tool for the job and you will be fine ...

Trouble is with the tools who pick the wrong tool and then blame the tools ... tools ...
Back to Top
yellowwelly View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more
Avatar

Joined: 24 May 13
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2003
Post Options Post Options   Quote yellowwelly Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Jun 13 at 9:17pm
But there are no problems, not with the hardware anyway - plenty of choice, maybe too much even... the only problems are self inflicted by poor boat selection, be that location variables or skill factor and TOW.

I know that's not ideal for forum chitter chatter, but it's the reality of the situation. If you want a cheap boat then get something off fleabay and race it at a club that will give you an appropriate handicap. If the club won't do that, find another one. If you want a fast boat, buy one... Happy Sailing - somewhere large enough for it.
Back to Top
iGRF View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more
Avatar

Joined: 07 Mar 11
Location: Hythe
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6499
Post Options Post Options   Quote iGRF Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Jun 13 at 7:18pm
Funny, I was at a kayak store the other day, where the guy showed me this new material they have built moulds and are roto moulding a new lighter material kind of a cross between poly-urethane and propylene. It was not only lighter, but incredibly scratch and impact resistant. They're using it to make a surf shoe style surf kayak, I immediately thought dinghy and asked the question, at the end of the day this surf canoe thing is just a boat, it got my brain cells going, they're doing it down cornwall way, the moulds need a lot of attention, lots of polishing in preparation, but it could provide a cheap less bulky answer to our problems.
Back to Top
iGRF View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more
Avatar

Joined: 07 Mar 11
Location: Hythe
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6499
Post Options Post Options   Quote iGRF Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Jun 13 at 7:12pm
Originally posted by Rupert

As for dinghy popularity, there appear to be plenty of RS Fevas and Teras around, and the sailors who first learnt in them are now disappearing off to Uni, where they may well sail Fireflies in team racing. Then we will lose most of them for a few years whilst they pay off debts and do all the "growing up" stuff. When they think about sailing again, it may well be that they remember the boats they learned in and sail something similar but bigger. At that point, Rotomoulds will no longer be looked down upon for racing. I just hope that the next 10 years sees a really nice larger plastic boat come onto the market complete with a crane to lift it.


FTFY
Back to Top
Rupert View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more


Joined: 11 Aug 04
Location: Whitefriars sc
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 8956
Post Options Post Options   Quote Rupert Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Jun 13 at 6:55pm
As for dinghy popularity, there appear to be plenty of RS Fevas and Teras around, and the sailors who first learnt in them are now disappearing off to Uni, where they may well sail Fireflies in team racing. Then we will lose most of them for a few years whilst they pay off debts and do all the "growing up" stuff. When they think about sailing again, it may well be that they remember the boats they learned in and sail something similar but bigger. At that point, Rotomoulds will no longer be looked down upon for racing. I just hope that the next 10 years sees a really nice larger plastic boat come onto the market.
Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686
Back to Top
Rupert View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more


Joined: 11 Aug 04
Location: Whitefriars sc
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 8956
Post Options Post Options   Quote Rupert Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Jun 13 at 6:50pm
Originally posted by JimC

Originally posted by rodney

   I was crucified for using that expression about Finns by a git from down under and another from Sunbury or somewhere similar.

Actually all we did was ask him for an example of a boat that was easy to sail well, because we didn't know of any, and suggest that if there's no such thing as a boat that's easy to sail well then the phrase was of little value.


That is because you only took half the expression. "And into the fire" makes little sense on its own. Some boats are easy to sail, but hard to sail well. Other boats are hard to sail, full stop. No need to add the "but hard to sail well" for those, as it is obvious from the first part.


Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686
Back to Top
yellowwelly View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more
Avatar

Joined: 24 May 13
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2003
Post Options Post Options   Quote yellowwelly Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Jun 13 at 6:24pm
Agreed, but (in my opinion, because Craiggo disagrees) some boats are easier on the time poor than others.   They tend to be slower, more popular, offer competitive racing throughout the fleet (not just the final third nursing it round the course and calling it a race (of attrition).

Back to Top
L123456 View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more


Joined: 30 Apr 12
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 500
Post Options Post Options   Quote L123456 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Jun 13 at 5:50pm
Originally posted by rodney

Originally posted by winging it

I see  an awful lot of newcomers to the sport and beleive me, what they want is NOT the latest fast thing with all the cool gear.  What they actively ask for is something steady and conservative where they can hone their skills  and make their mistakes before they commit to something new and fangled.  The few that do rush out and buy something fast, cool, groundbreaking etc go out, crash and burn, feel foolish and fearful ,with the new toy left rotting in the boat park.  They then leave the sport for good with a sour taste in the mouth.Most newcomers are naturally cautious, with only an idiotic few thinking they can run before they can walk, and most good instructors and club members know this and give sensible advice that keeps them coming back.The thing is, there must be only a few shapes and sizes a dinghy can take to stay within the paramters of what makes it stable, manageable and affordable to the average beginner, so it's hardly surprising that most of those sizes and shapes - designs if you like - have already been found.


I agree    For example what sort of idiot would choose a Musto Skiff as a first dinghy?

Only a complete muppet ...

Anyway I don't see any problem here, there is a huge range of dinghies to choose from, many suitable for beginners and a few designs for the speed merchants. Something for everyone here ...

The real issue is time, being a dinghy sailing enthusiast is time consuming and many don't have the time. 
Back to Top
JimC View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more
Avatar

Joined: 17 May 04
Location: United Kingdom
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6662
Post Options Post Options   Quote JimC Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Jun 13 at 4:53pm
Originally posted by rodney

   I was crucified for using that expression about Finns by a git from down under and another from Sunbury or somewhere similar.

Actually all we did was ask him for an example of a boat that was easy to sail well, because we didn't know of any, and suggest that if there's no such thing as a boat that's easy to sail well then the phrase was of little value.

Edited by JimC - 24 Jun 13 at 4:55pm
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  <1 35363738>

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Bulletin Board Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 9.665y
Copyright ©2001-2010 Web Wiz
Change your personal settings, or read our privacy policy