Dinghy popularity

Originally posted by Old Timer  wind surfer racing does not really exist in the UK in any significant numbers bar a few big one-off events.

Edited by yellowwelly - 28 Jun 13 at 9:55am

Seriously? The Techno? Windsurfings equivalent of the Topper only more unpleasant to sail.

I can understand Jimbo or anyone else's reticence toward the longboard, they are not the easiest ride, could be described as windsurfings equivalent of the MPS, but once mastered they can at least be used in all conditions from 0 to 35 knots and more, they could, should in fact be used more widely in clubs round cans.

The most prolific class in the world is the Kona, it's not a difficult board to sail but like anything you race, you need another gear. which comes from lots of time on the water and many races at the back if you try as a newcomer to both windsurfing and racing. Most windsurfers don't race it went out of fashion a long long time ago and has only recently been revived by the kids but they hit 15 get dropped and go away never to be seen again.

Racing Boards is exactly like racing dinghies and the same rules apply, so short squat things just don't go upwind unless it is so windy the rescue boats don't want to launch, so the rest of the time you are schlogging around on this undervolumed coracle with a small centreboard an oversize rig making all sorts of leeway and buggering up your lay line transits for when you get on a proper board/boat (hence why most kids can be pretty much guaranteed to over stand the mark.).

I was only chatting about this to Mike Lyons yesterday and he's also convince a decent board rig combo could come along and re vitalise the sport at club level if it was an accessible outfit and reasonably priced.

Originally posted by iGRF I was only chatting about this to Mike Lyons yesterday and he's also convince a decent board rig combo could come along and re vitalise the sport at club level if it was an accessible outfit and reasonably priced.

Well yesterday I went to have a look at exactly the sort of thing modern folk should be pointed at, it's an Icon hull I'm thinking of butchering into something a tad more sporty, but if you've never seen one which chances are most haven't, it is just the last word in simple clean lines, is light has all those attributes like wash through deck, easy on the thighs seating not to mention a very nice clean under hull. Two folk can pick it up easily and it's quick enough to deliver the sensation, at least it will be if I get my way and butcher a kite onto it.

So why are they not already selling in droves?

Answer me that question.

Originally posted by iGRF Well yesterday I went to have a look at exactly the sort of thing modern folk should be pointed at, it's an Icon hull I'm thinking of butchering into something a tad more sporty, but if you've never seen one which chances are most haven't, it is just the last word in simple clean lines, is light has all those attributes like wash through deck, easy on the thighs seating not to mention a very nice clean under hull. Two folk can pick it up easily and it's quick enough to deliver the sensation, at least it will be if I get my way and butcher a kite onto it. So why are they not already selling in droves? Answer me that question.

Edited by yellowwelly - 28 Jun 13 at 2:15pm