DINGHY SHOW - photos

I ran into Rupert & Rupertson on the Lightning stand and Fleaberto spent ages comparing Eps notes, got to get up to Whitefriars some time, I spent ages on the Farr3.7, talked about the various merits of wood, Nomex or this new stuff that bends around corners without having to slice it, that they're using on the Aero and we talked about building one in Carbon, then settled for maybe a Vinyl carbon wrap instead.

I paid my Alto class dues, chatted to them for a bit, talked about a system to get the kite out front of the forestay I've been working on and a slow foil Mike sold me last year which could be why I'm having trouble with the Merlin Boys
I dallied as I usually do and wondered why each year the fur balls seem to be regressing to washerwomen kite tactics, there's another company joined the fray, but it's never going to happen all the time they stay dated.


Then I saw a white formula Buzz, with a centreboard, which distracted me, it looked a bit lighter than the Alto but when I went to pick it up, not so, then followed the usual bollox about not upsetting the class members that support their events so much - not. My standard answer, screw them, build it lighter to attract new folk they then have to sell their old ones, you get more members etc etc, but it fell on deaf ears.

Then I checked out the new Vortex.

And wished I sailed somewhere I could use it, they've done a blinding job, lots of attention to details extra kick off points, new kite chute, a fair few kilos lighter, carbon mast and boom, perfect thing to learn to trapeze off and now it should get a new lease of life.

Most of my time was spent on the RS stand then the D1/0, by half way through the afternoon I'm like an Irishman being told to pee in the corner of a dustbin, then that Thunder Road man started putting glasses of fizz into my hand, I don't know much what happened next i do so hope I haven't ordered anything by mistake...

Bargain of the show was the Byte C2 at
I only noticed it late last night on their website, quite unbelievable price. Hartleys boats doing it, it must be what tick meant if he'd told us prior to the show he'd have had to kill us.

Tbh it's the best show I've been to in a long while, so much to see, so much temptation, ignoring the obvious, Aero and D Zero which were both blinding in features and value, there was/is just so much else,
this turnkey foil system you just plug in a special cassette into the centreboard case, then slot in the foils back and front, it has a unique self levelling system and bingo you're foiling, there are adjustable end caps depending how heavy you are, short for light folk long if you're heavier one of each if your middle maybe, and away you go, I was very tempted, right up until the price, three grand... I think they need to reconsider, the Aussie boys have had too much prosperity out there for too long, I can't see too many folks in austerity Britain, £1800 quid, maybe, three grand, no chance.

Then I came across this...

I couldn't believe it was a Streaker, it looks like a totally modern boat (if you don't look up at the rag) sleek lines, had a long chat with a good ole streaker boy, talked about how and why they'd lengthened the cockpit, how well they go and how many are being sold these days.

Then surprise surprise for the first time ever someone took the time to give me the lowdown on a Canoe, after I asked the question why was the boom so low when the sail only came down to within a foot of it and how the hell did you tack, er round the back came the answer, doh, how stupid did I feel.

This post is getting a bit long, I'll follow it up with another before knowing me I lose the lot in a time out.

Edited by iGRF - 01 Mar 14 at 7:31pm

Originally posted by timeintheboat D0 - looks brilliant

D0 - looks brilliant

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Edited by RichTea - 01 Mar 14 at 1:24pm