D-Zero

Suddenly the sail looks very big in those shots!

Originally posted by mangoman Originally posted by mittens I think that in fairness to both fleets the start of the second race was a bit of a shambles and I wouldn't draw too many conclusions from the racing. Half the Phantom fleet thought we had three minutes after the Flying Fifteens re-started and were somewhat taken aback to watch the start after two minutes. I'd say the zero looked good though and it will become a bandit off that handicap... I would have liked to have seen the Zeros out in the wind we had on Saturday at Grafham ......

For clarity rat man, not one d-zero owner has complained about a py of 1050.  Mainly because ei don't think anyone sails one off 1050!!!!!  GL are chucking a py of around 1015 for the wi ter handicap events. Not too far off your guess of 1010....  However I will caveat this.  You sailed against the zero in a very, very narrow window...a drifter, it's impossible to make a reasonable argument off one wind window.  What about 25 knotts on the brine??  

Originally posted by Rat Man Dear All, The Ovington Inlands were held at Grafham last weekend, on Sunday The Phantoms had the pleasure of racing off the same start as the D-Zero fleet, In race 1 we started with very little (none) breeze and the greater sail area & waterline length of the phantom appeared slightly faster. The second race started in a little more wind 4-7 mph a couple of the D-zero sailors shot off the start-line and held the lead on the water at times. This was helped as the course was nearly a perfect square, giving a good length run (the Phantoms hate running as the shrouds prevent the boom getting square) whereas the unstayed rig on the D-zero allows running by the lee etc. Therefore if you assume the leading Phantoms are at least sailing to handicap (1002-1008 depending on whom you believe) then the leading D-zero will be sailing to a handicap of <1010. There is another point that few are bringing up… The Phantom handicap didn’t start at 1002 we moved over a great number of years from around 1050, some of that is due to modern materials but a percentage is due to improved techniques and rig set up. I know the phantom is partially a development class and the D-Zero is a one design, but so is / was the laser and the good guys in the laser just kept on getting faster & faster (ok I accept they became professional, but the kit is essentially the same). Most of you guys have had your boats a few weeks, trust me, the fleet will be going even faster in a year’s time when you work out how to set the thing up properly. But please stop complaining about a handicap of 1050, its going to be much faster than that. Regards The Rat Man

Originally posted by Medway Maniac So, compared to the Laser, the D-Zero is: - faster - more comfortable - easier to sail - less likely to capsize ('more stable' is too ambiguous) - easier to right when capsized - lighter to lug around on shore - better built. What have I missed?

While obviously partisan, I would add the following:

1. Better purchasing experience, after sales and warranty support.
2. Whilst a little more expensive, I reckon you wouldn't need to be a hugely frequent user to achieve through life cost improvements, mostly in the arenas of robustness and suitability for purpose of spars, sails and foils.
3. You can fit more of your kids in it and take them for a sail, as proven recently by a happy owner and former colleague of mine.
4. Subjective, but some may consider it easier on the eye.

No as designed go pro mounts tho..