D-Zero

Finns aren't boring downwind, far from it.  Unstayed rigs provide bucket loads of tactical options, plus they just feel nice.  Even the Laser is good fun DDW.  I think the Finn has to be up there as one of the most rewarding single handers to sail, but they just cost about 18 grand new...  and shiny toys are always better.

Edited by yellowwelly - 25 Feb 14 at 9:51am

Originally posted by NickA Pretty shape .... but what's it's niche, its "USP"? Where's it's market slot compared to say: the RS Aero, Redeye and the SuperNova?  (lightweight foam-epoxy for middle weights) <span style="line-height: 1.4;">Byte CII, Europe and Splash (for the lightweights)</span> <span style="line-height: 1.4;">Phantoms, Finns and Streakers (for the lardy)</span> <span style="line-height: 1.4;">Lasers (for the stuck in the muds)</span> <span style="line-height: 1.4;">Solos (for the elderly .... and Mike Sims </span> <span style="line-height: 1.4;"> </span><span style="line-height: 1.4;">)</span> <span style="line-height: 1.4;">OKs (for ermm . what IS an OK?)</span> etc etc   <span style="line-height: 1.4;">There seem to be an awful lot of single sail, hiking single handers in the world today.  Is this one special?</span>

Hi,
I envisage that you could be fully competitive across a range of conditions from 70 to 90kgs
and as such the D zero is a natural competitor to all of those boats - with the exception of the medium to larger Finn / phant sailors and smaller streaker/splash/Europe sailors.
To talk of usp is maybe a little myopic. There are no gimmicks per se to differentiate for the sake of differentiation, more a progressive philosophy of trying to do a lot of things a little bit better.
All of the classes quoted above with the exception of the RS aero existed in 2005 when I had some cash and wanted a "performance beachboat for the 21st century." Maybe if the aero had existed I could have saved myself some work!
Anyway, I didn't feel catered for by any of these boats due to some combination of shortcomings in the areas of: performance; total cost of ownership; weight; ergonomics; cost; styling etc.
Having sailed lasers at a decent level for a decade, I understood and enjoyed the techniques and the style of sailing, but also the value of off the beach leisure versatility and robustness. I guess I looked at doing a boat to a similar brief 40 years on, unhindered by baggage of legacy min weights, half century old material tech, class rules, a design that must be realisable in sheet plywood etc.
I am realistic that no boat can be all things to all men, but that good design is about intelligent management of compromises. As such I hope that it will be of interest to a lot of sailors.
Dan

'Zero' that was the name of my Mirror back in the day. Sail number was 54321.

I'm sure they can... trouble is no one else sails them in any great numbers nearby.

a new one is about 8ish last time I checked.  I don't really like other people's old tat.... doesn't stop it being a spreadsheet only option around here though.  I guess I could follow the Dart 15s and a 49er around and pretend to myself it was proper racing...

Edited by yellowwelly - 25 Feb 14 at 9:05pm