Symmetric v Assymmeric Spinnakers

Originally posted by getafix Fwiw still believe the Rs500 hasn't taken off here inBritannia because there is already a perfectly decent single wire boat on offer and sailed widely; Fireball

I think abroad it has got popular as a yoof/females boat.
I'm not sure why.
I do not understand why it is slower on PY and on the water in most weather than the 400.
What is the point of having a trapeze and going slower?
Surely it is the 29er that is spanking it in the UK?

It's not a bad boat, it's just not as nice a boat to sail as the Alto and one that needs a degree of input from the helm and crew, funnily enough I came across one of my early postings on this forum, a bit embarrassing to refer back to now, but our enthusiasm for the boat was quite clear at the time. If you gave me a choice, 500 or Alto, I'd take the Alto every time.

Think it has made it as a class, just not in the UK with anywhere near the success as anywhere else.

Originally posted by iGRF Originally posted by alstorer the "single trapeze two man boat for lightweights" is not exactly an underserved part of the market... OK, so give me the name of a wash through hull with a retracting CB that weighs under 75kgs that doesn't suffer from massive weather helm the moment it blows (Just incase you were thinking RS500) that is an assym. I've looked about, I can't see one. So I have no alternative really but to make it happen.. And yes I'd already noticed those MG14's, assumed that was pretty much what I was about to create from that Icon reject hull..

 Having avoided adding my halfpenny'th I have avoided the many topics aired here during the past year or so, but with colder short days and longer darker nights I decided to see what is being 'discussed' on the forum and needless to say there is much I'm glad I've avoided. Yes, Grumph it still  thinking outside the box and winding up Wing Wang in the process. Apart from that names have changed, however I have glanced over topics of interest to me and one or two names have continued to push out there same old rubbish and class bias, without mentioning names now. I did notice that Graeme some months ago did state why the RS500 is a No-No. I knew there was a reason why the class had not made it even with the RS label.

From reading Grumphs topic 'Symmetrics vs Assymmetrics' it became clear why he was looking for a new project. Good Luck.

...... is the Icon hull not like any other fast hull, a bit tippy?

No ... try yourself or just ask those who have tried.  It is a highly capable and refined boat but the hull form and very light rig make it much less 'tippy' as you put it than say an RS200 or similar.  Surprised ?  Don't take our word, for we could be 'hyping' its character .. so just try yourself.  It is a fastish boat sure but one that regular mortals can get to grips with quite quickly and without the overall package ending up being bland.

IF GRF tries the 'vanilla' version of Icon before possibly modifying a hull  I think he will might have to think again as to what he might want as well ....

Mike L.