New Posts New Posts RSS Feed: Open Bic
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Register Register  Login Login

Open Bic
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  <1 5678>
Author
  Share Topic Share Topic  Topic Search Topic Search  Topic Options Topic Options
Do Different View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more


Joined: 26 Jan 12
Location: North
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1312 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Do Different Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Open Bic
    Posted: 06 Aug 13 at 9:23pm
The Oppie is a product of a set of parameters given the materials of the day. Cheap an' easy to build in plywood.

It is now being made in grp in one form or other, a material that does not really work for large slab sided shapes unless some sort of foam core sandwich is employed but then you are just using an expensive technique on a shape that is that way because it was meant to be cheap. Not very logical is it?

The Bic uses modern materials in an efficient way to produce a modern shape. Seems logical to me.

Sounds like the only argument for Oppies is there's a lot of them out there, that of course is a valid argument but how long can it be used?

And yes the tipsiness thing, that square flat shape may be initially stable but it is not as nicely progressive into dynamic stability when heeled as a rounder shape with a bit of chine.

I say give youngsters some respect, they do know good design from poor. I mean most of them probably know the finer points of an iPad vs a Samsung for goodness sake.
Back to Top
winging it View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more
Avatar

Joined: 22 Mar 07
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3958 		Post Options Post Options   Quote winging it Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Aug 13 at 9:00pm
great boats, weigh a ton, need critical mass to achieve its full potential.  Some kids like the security of being in a box.
the same, but different...

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: 06 Aug 13 at 8:32pm
Originally posted by rodney

Whoops!  300 Bics at one event? I doubt it  Big smile   The 300 boxes I referred to were at a relatively small event in mainland Europe.  I have no idea how many you might get at a major event  Smile
Missed the point again - proper racing  LOL
Snow Equipment Deals    New Core Kite website
Back to Top
andymck View Drop Down
Far too distracted from work
Far too distracted from work


Joined: 15 Dec 06
Location: Stamford
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 397 		Post Options Post Options   Quote andymck Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Aug 13 at 8:02pm
They are loved by the kids at our club. Look racier. Rig choices seem to work excellently. They can climb back in easily too. There was concern that they would not be good in waves, but if Graeme's girl sailed one at hythe I guess we can out that to bed too. Certainly much easier than the plastic oppies some of the kids have.
I will be getting one for my kids when they are ready.

Andy

Edited by andymck - 06 Aug 13 at 8:02pm
Andy Mck
Back to Top
rodney View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more
Avatar

Joined: 26 Feb 09
Location: United Kingdom
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 915 		Post Options Post Options   Quote rodney Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Aug 13 at 7:39pm
Whoops!  300 Bics at one event? I doubt it  Big smile   The 300 boxes I referred to were at a relatively small event in mainland Europe.  I have no idea how many you might get at a major event  Smile

Missed the point again - proper racing  LOL
Rodney Cobb
Suntouched Sailboats Limited
http://www.suntouched.co.uk
[EMAIL=rodney@suntouched.co.uk">rodney@suntouched.co.uk
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: 06 Aug 13 at 7:24pm
Condemning kids into boxes that early certainly assures they continue into similar boxes like Solos later in life I'll give you that.

But tell me what's the difference between 300 old boxes and 300 Bic opens racing, other of course than the fact one looks vaguely appealing and the other looks like er a box with a crude makeshift sail attached to it.

That's why there are only 300 out of a population of how many million kids?

Edited by iGRF - 06 Aug 13 at 7:25pm
Snow Equipment Deals    New Core Kite website
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: 06 Aug 13 at 5:54pm
I can see that if you get a big fleet, it might be fun for racers in an Oppi, but for those with less racy ambitions, I'm with GRF on this one. We use them for getting the small ones learning the very basics, but once they can go there and back, the Tera and Toppers allowchildren to learn to sail in something which allows you to move around, play at capsizing, take friends with them etc.
Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686
Back to Top
rodney View Drop Down
Really should get out more
Really should get out more
Avatar

Joined: 26 Feb 09
Location: United Kingdom
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 915 		Post Options Post Options   Quote rodney Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Aug 13 at 4:29pm
Originally posted by iGRF

garbage on offer at local sailing establishments including those ridiculous square box things they force kids into.

You poor boy Stern Smile

When will you learn what real dinghy racing is about? Wink  I have been at regattas where there have been 300+ square 'boxy things' and the level of racing is, almost, second to none.

Dinghy racing is not a about pure speed, it's about skill which incorporates getting maximum speed out of your chosen boat but also boat handling, strategy and tactics which the 'square box' sailors seem to learn very well in such competitive fleets.

Maybe it's time for IGRF to move into high heels and something that doesn't his hair wet  Wink
Rodney Cobb
Suntouched Sailboats Limited
http://www.suntouched.co.uk
[EMAIL=rodney@suntouched.co.uk">rodney@suntouched.co.uk
Back to Top
Chris Turner View Drop Down
Posting king
Posting king


Joined: 09 Jul 06
Location: United Kingdom
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 142 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Chris Turner Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Aug 13 at 1:07pm
We have one for sale, used once and comes with both rigs...That is the race rig and the dacron training version.
It is a great little boat.
   
Back to Top
r2d2 View Drop Down
Far too distracted from work
Far too distracted from work


Joined: 29 Sep 11
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 350 		Post Options Post Options   Quote r2d2 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Aug 13 at 10:07am
sorry RT, I dont agree - its a great boat for small people to learn in - it is so easy to right after a capsize and self draining that capsizing just isnt an issue.  And (eek) I agree with GRF that the rig is good and modern, far more appealing than some old ragged boats that need bailing

Edited by r2d2 - 06 Aug 13 at 10:08am
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  <1 5678>

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