Solo - why Winder?

   Out of curiousity, there seems to be a steady supply of older Holt Solos on eBay. Are these likely to be hopelessly heavy, or uncompetitve shapes?

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Mark Aged 42 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Groupie Joined: 24 Aug 11 Online Status: Offline Posts: 98	Post Options Post Reply Quote Mark Aged 42 Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Solo - why Winder? Posted: 15 Sep 20 at 8:53am
	Out of curiousity, there seems to be a steady supply of older Holt Solos on eBay. Are these likely to be hopelessly heavy, or uncompetitve shapes?

davidyacht Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 29 Mar 05 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1345	Post Options Post Reply Quote davidyacht Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 15 Sep 20 at 8:37am
	Because the residual values for Solos are high relative to the replacement cost, I replace every two or three years, and I suspect the depreciation cost is around £ 500* each year , which is not bad considering I sail most weeks. *man maths! There are quite a few that do this and it doesn't hurt the class to have a steady supply of not quite new boats. Worth bearing in mind that the Solo that won the Nations Cup last year was a Winder 1 and around 10 years old.
	Happily living in the past

GarethT Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 21 Apr 07 Online Status: Offline Posts: 714	Post Options Post Reply Quote GarethT Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 15 Sep 20 at 6:46am
	Out of interest, why 5? Are you going back decades, Solos have a competitive life of X years,or you just like shiny things?

davidyacht Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 29 Mar 05 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1345	Post Options Post Reply Quote davidyacht Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 15 Sep 20 at 6:43am
	I shall raise my head above the parapet In support of Winder Solos ... well engineered product which is constantly being improved, choice of two successful proven shapes, constant supply not in batches, active in the class, support the class, prepared to tweak/customize, fair price, good residuals, nice people. In fairness to the other builders, I don’t think that there is much wrong with any of the builders that you mention, there is little in the performance or quality of the build, but Winders were there first in the market with a winning FRP product and are more established. My approach is that unless a supplier messes up, they have my loyalty ... hence I have had five Winder Solos.
	Happily living in the past

Guests Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Guest Group	Post Options Post Reply Quote Guests Quote Reply Posted: 14 Sep 20 at 10:21pm
	I know there is a bit of a wall of silence on these things but I’m curious. Everyone says good things about all the builders but ultimately the vast majority of Solo sailors buy a Winder. Why is that? Are they cheaper? Boatyard@Beer, Ovington and P&B all have good reputations in the wider sailing community but fight for scraps in the land of Solos... what gives? Edited by A2Z - 14 Sep 20 at 10:21pm