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The Solution.

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Woodbotherer View Drop Down
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    Posted: 12 Mar 15 at 9:29am
Originally posted by turnturtle

  why would you buy one of these over the Streaker and the Solo?   

Because you're under seventy don't wear socks in sandals don't smell of wee and can still remember where you left it?
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Post Options Post Options   Quote winging it Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Mar 15 at 9:31am
Or theSupernova, which seems to be very much on the up.  I thought about a Solution instead of the supersofa when looking for a heavy wind club boat, but there didn't seem to be many around, those that were were out of my price range, plus, if I want to go to opens (doubtful but you never know) then there are plenty to choose from, plus a well attended nationals.  Likewise the solo and the streaker.
the same, but different...

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Post Options Post Options   Quote Woodbotherer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Mar 15 at 9:32am
Originally posted by iiitick



Where is there for the Solution to go? 
They need to hire a marketing consultant with a solid plan that would triple or quadruple sales in the first year. Then go on to dominate the entire sector by the following year. Wink
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Post Options Post Options   Quote jeffers Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Mar 15 at 9:39am
Originally posted by Woodbotherer

Originally posted by iiitick



Where is there for the Solution to go? 
They need to hire a marketing consultant with a solid plan that would triple or quadruple sales in the first year. Then go on to dominate the entire sector by the following year. Wink

You mean get RS to sell it. 

One thing we will all agree on is that their marketing machine is one of the best in the Sailing Dinghy world (and they have an in place worldwide distribution network).
Paul
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Woodbotherer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Mar 15 at 9:54am
Originally posted by Rob.e

Fundamentally it failed for me because when I looked at it, it was clear the people building it were only likely to sell a few a year so it would never reach a critical mass: I always liked the look of it and would have liked to have bought one but the combination of a lack of marketing power from the original builders combined with a lack of build capacity meant that if you bought one you would race in a handicap fleet and when you came to sell it there wouldn't be enough of a market to get a decent return on your investment. Sadly that proved to be true (at least relative to when I looked into buying one) I do think they are nice boats and there is a place for them but it shows really why people buy RS not solution etc. One of my club mates was looking at getting one and I remember telling him they could not build more than 20 a year so in 5 years there would still only be 100 in the whole country and they would be widely spread. In the end he test sailed one but couldn't cope after a capsize- he's had a Solo for the past 5 (?) years and hasn't looked back, but I still like the look of them for myself!

That's an interesting insite, pretty much what I thought, the original folk launched at a tough time, 2006 wasn't a brilliant year for new product launches and by 2007/8 everything looked even more f**ked for anyone considering marketing risk.
It's interesting the common thread here is events to go to yet nobody does seem to be going to them and only the handicap affairs are seeing any growth.
I must admit actually travelling to events couldn't be further from my mind and the vast majority of the folk I interact with don't, only very few bother, except to annual derby's like the Round Island or the Man of Kent which are handicap events. 
Personally I don't see this as an eventer, it's prime usp is small water, close quarter, tactical stuff like my lake for which it is perfect, especially if there are underwater nasties, it's target audience is precisely the streaker solo supernova types, maybe even Phantomers once they've realised the error of their pie eating ways and become healthy eaters.
But to take it to market now, at this time, it would imv need a makeover and relaunch and talking to the chaps who already sail and enjoy it, there wouldn't be any appetite for that amongst the class or its designer, so it remains what it is, a very well kept secret.
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Guests Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Mar 15 at 11:27am
Woodbotherer - I too once thought the Solution appeared to tick several boxes, so much so I contacted Ovingtons and spoke to their MD regarding price and a potential delivery slot. He said he'd phone me back but I never heard from him again. The money stayed in my wallet. At the 2014 Dinghy Show, the chaps on the D-Zero stand appeared knowledgable and keen to do a deal - they even had a windsurfer chappie from Kent extolling the boat's virtues - Devoti built, carbon rig, ergonomic design, lightweight hull... all at a package price he said was a "no brainer". I admired his enthusiasm and placed my deposit there and then. Twelve months on, I'd say it was a good call.
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Post Options Post Options   Quote jeffers Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Mar 15 at 11:53am
Originally posted by Gao ming

Woodbotherer - I too once thought the Solution appeared to tick several boxes, so much so I contacted Ovingtons and spoke to their MD regarding price and a potential delivery slot. He said he'd phone me back but I never heard from him again. The money stayed in my wallet. At the 2014 Dinghy Show, the chaps on the D-Zero stand appeared knowledgable and keen to do a deal - they even had a windsurfer chappie from Kent extolling the boat's virtues - Devoti built, carbon rig, ergonomic design, lightweight hull... all at a package price he said was a "no brainer". I admired his enthusiasm and placed my deposit there and then. Twelve months on, I'd say it was a good call.

Clap  Clap Clap Clap Clap Clap Clap Clap Clap Clap

Anyone we know this windsurfer chap.....
Paul
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Woodbotherer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Mar 15 at 12:14pm
That windsurfer chap also thought it was a no brainer and placed a deposit, then it all went pear shaped for him and his particular mindset and mental health issues.  Wink

However it remained excellent advice for you though did it not? It is the best other boat, I just couldn't bring myself to potentially trash one on the water upon which I'm forced to sail so if you have to set your sights slightly lower, yet have other plus points to compensate for the features and benefits of a Zero, this has to be it. The Aero for example which everyone assumes is a direct competitor to the Zero doesn't offer anything more, the Solution with its retracting foils does, it's that simple really, but you're right trying to get your hands on one? It only took me 6 months.. LOL


Edited by Woodbotherer - 12 Mar 15 at 12:15pm
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Post Options Post Options   Quote iiitick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Mar 15 at 5:44pm
When Mark Giles designed the Supernova about 15? years ago he did contemplate a lifting centreboard but he told me that it would have added another days labor to the job with the additional cost. Supernova's were cheap in the days when he was knocking them out and I believe that was part of the appeal. Not much risk to take with your money. Marketing was limited but I do remember a little add in Y&Y every month. Could the Supernova have been the DZero of it's day, challenging Laser had there been more razzmatazz at it's launch? Cheap fast and pretty.

It seems to me that woodbuggerer is a bit of a sailing snob. If he wants to be a racy youth I have recommended a Byte but if he wishes to be more mature then I can sell him a Lightning 368 at a very reasonable price, lifting board and all. Not mine and not the 'Former boy's' multi championship 104, but a nice white one with a 1970's diagonal stripe! Just the jobby!!! 
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Post Options Post Options   Quote winging it Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Mar 15 at 6:38pm
Supernova & lightning, same bloke, so how come he put a centreboard in one and a daggerboard in the other? The Lightning is a superb little boat.  How much for yours iiiiitick?
the same, but different...

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