DINGHY SHOW - photos

Originally posted by Bootscooter

   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...