The Solution.

You wouldn't survive the handicap Graeme- don't do it.

I had one, and found it was possible to sail it to handicap. It was about the same speed as a laser, but suffered from lack of waterline length. You could usually do enough upwind due to its better rig and foils to stay ahead. Once the Great Lakes handicap came in at Rutland and they did not move the Solution as well it became very difficult, but not impossible to win.
I did have quite a different set up to most of the other boats, with more rake, an a rear horse to prevent over sheeting upwind. You did have to hike hard though, but it powered up very quickly. I think about 75-80kg was right on more open water, a bit less inland. You had to sit a lot further back in a chop, keeping the bow kissing the waves. It was dynamite downwind, and surfed well. At the carsington nationals, which was also a phantom open, I overtook Andy Couch on the run, hooking onto Nick Craig's stern wave. Interestingly nick and I were sailing more laser style with big s curves by the lee, while Andy was sailing higher angles, but sailed out the gusts.
I think it suffered as no one really good ever got one, so it never became mainstream. Was certainly miles better than the Supernova which I saw as it's main rival. Capsizing was easier than the laser for me.
I miss mine, but class racing won out in the end.

Andy Mckee

I got my Solution about 3 years ago and don't regret the decision.

They've always been built by Ovingtons, and I wouldn't read anything negative into the early decision to get Ovis to fit out and sell the boat too.

It's much faster and lighter than a Solo, being similar in speed to a full rig Laser but much nicer to sail in my view. It compares more closely to the Supernova and is like a small Phantom with a stayed raking rig to control the power. It's an easy boat to sail, with a centreboard and part battened laminate sail. There's no tendancy to nose dive or death roll and I've happily sailed on the sea.

The Solution can be sailed to the current handicap, but you have to sail it in the right way; it's not a Laser so don't try to sail it like one. Very light winds are not its best point and thus a poor comparison; it planes early and is very quick on a reach.
There's a small but active and friendly open fleet, and we go to some decent venues like Bala, Grafham, Oxford and Tynemouth.

It's run by the class association with a supportive builder. The class are committed to staying one design and there are only cosmetic differences between the boats, having all been built from the same moulds using the same materials, although the rules on control lines etc are very open. The Hyde sails come in a standard (aka flat) and fuller cut, although the difference isn't massive and they're both the same size. A carbon rig might make the Solution a bit faster but it doesn't need it, so why add the extra cost and split the fleet.

The class association are happy to arrange demos if anyone is interested see website.
Maybe give it a go before committing to an Aero or D-Zero?

They always look good in the flesh!

Try posting on the class forum http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Solutionclass/ or facebook page and one of the South Coast or Essex Solutions will hopefully give you a ride.