4000 Facelift by Rooster

I think some of you might be missing the point with the 4000, IMHO. There are lots of them around, at silly cheap prices, especially given the performance. I can't think of any other OD dinghy class which has successfully thrown the baby out with the bathwater by updating the boat to the point that all other previous boats are obsolete. The 4000 is not a bad boat at all, it's just of it's time, and with careful refinement could be (already is) a great cheap boat for those who have a bit of experience. There is a huge ready made fleet waiting to happen, and making big changes would destroy that.

Once the fleet has established, it won't matter if the boat isn't the latest technology to new boat buyers - they will be getting involved in the class. Otherwise nobody would be buying new RS400s/Solos/Fireballs/insert OD class here. Some small, incremental changes which won't outclass the whole fleet are, in my opinion, a very good idea. Ditch the weight equalisation for lighter (and cheaper) simple racks, new mainsail (as done) and spend some time refining the control systems to reflect changes in that department. A new mast section is not necessarily a bad thing, as a lot of OD classes have choices in this respect anyway. I'm not sure if the old mast can be used with a masthead kite - if not then a new mast to carry one is not a good idea. Old boats still competitive, fleet building starts with the cheap boats.

Originally posted by Blue One Originally posted by yellowwelly Contrast to Draycote- 10+ boats- probably the BEST singlehanded you could own there given the propensity for RTC randomness (which is great in 300s) with gusty, shifty wind, which again, is great in 300s.... Hardly any left now. Nothing quite so queer as folk.... Tell us again why you sold yours? Lol

Contrast to Draycote- 10+ boats- probably the BEST singlehanded you could own there given the propensity for RTC randomness (which is great in 300s) with gusty, shifty wind, which again, is great in 300s.... Hardly any left now. Nothing quite so queer as folk....

That's the point, they "Had" . We HAD.

Originally posted by SimonW99 I never said it can't be sailed on the sea. It's just not a good sea boat that's why there are no fleets at open sea clubs. It's inherent instability means effort in doesn't generate enough reward. Having sailed it solidly for two years and our own fleet build and disintegrate in that period including better sailors than I, we knew the boat, I still have a soft spot for it, just think there are much better alternatives on the sea. Agree on the blaze racks. But the good blaze sailors manage very well and it had real legs in a breeze.