D-Zero

Originally posted by Norbas Originally posted by Medway Maniac Nice interview with Dan, here: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/news/?article=174922 Shame about the muppet fondling the boat in the background for most of the interview. Strange I never noticed the interview happening, must have been dazzled by the looks of the boat as I'm pretty sure that was early on Saturday.

Yep, it was at 1000 on the Saturday morning. Problem is I couldn't really shout over to stop him fondling!

lol. yes said muppet was me   

Originally posted by Dougal There have no doubt been loads of posts on D0 vs Aero, but I haven't been on the forum since the show and haven't read them all, but I do feel you all deserve the benefit of my opinion! So: D0 - I met Dan Holman on the stand, and Rodney, both of whom were very welcoming, informed and great to talk to.  In this economic environment, anyone who is prepared to take on a new project and stick with it for 5 years and then get it successfully launched deserves a huge amount of respect, regardless of what it is.  The boat itself, it looked better in real life than it ever did in the pics.  I am a great believer in if it looks right, it is right, and the D0 looks right.  If I was in the market for a singlehander it would be at the top of the list. Aero - I'm sorry, but I wasn't impressed.  It just looked wrong to me.  I didn't understand the choice of rigs, some of the fittings and construction decisions looked to me like they were taken to save cost and, at the end of the day, probably most importantly, I didn't get that 'I want one' feeling. This is of course my opinion only, I obviously haven't sailed either the Aero or the D0 which is of course the acid test, and I am quite sure there are plenty of you who will disagree. Boat of the show for me - that lovely black OK. Stunning.

I agree with pretty much everything that's been written (especially about the OK being gorgeous), but my only concern about the D0 is the lack of hand-holds for launching and land-manoeuvring (please enlighten me if I missed something). I don't know about others, but when launching on a lee shore in a Laser I grab the gunwhale lip with the forward hand to steady the boat while dropping the daggerboard in with my aft hand. Also, that lip is mighty handy when attempting to haul my bulk onto the turtled hull enough to grab the board when upside down. I noticed the RS has this but the D0 doesn't - an issue for the less experienced sailor maybe?
That aside the boat looked lovely

Edited by Bootscooter - 05 Mar 14 at 11:34am

Originally posted by yellowwelly I think our own personal preferences on that debate should not dissuade us from investigating the very real potential of all sailing together every now and again, without the complexity of a handicapping system to ruin it.