Solo changes survey

Originally posted by yottiemad I went to the 2018 So slow nationals @ HISC. I was also given a Roll of lead @ 3kg for my 2004 all wood Boon boat. It was a hot summer and boat had spent many hours with the hatches out in the sun. The measuring team told me It was probably originally weighed in with a Silva bulkhead compass with a heavy bracket rather than the Tacktick now fitted. As people have mentioned in other posts there are many ways for builders to make a boat measure when new.

I remember the Looe nationals ( last century) when it was suggested that the tool box " Mr Boon " himself stored in his boat for maintenance had actually been in his fore tank during measurement. It wasnt of course, and there has never been anyone more focused on respecting rules- but let's say, the post suggestion discussion was "animated" !

Originally posted by Noah Fireballs went thru a min weight rule change recently, also losing (IIRC) 3kg. The official rules around reweighing are a bit onerous, having to remove all (and I mean all) the rope, and store the boat dry for 2 weeks before the weighing is done. The 'balls came up with a scheme to remove a weighed 3kg of lead from the boat to achieve the same. If the boat had less than 3kg in it - then it all went - simples! Memory fades - was it 3kg? Doesn't matter - the principle applies.

And of course the Fireball assoc make efforts to keep the older classic boats involved and valued.And as someone who sailed Fireballs for 25 years, the ply boats had a relatively short competitive life anyway so there were very few "no corrector"boats to be disadvantaged.

I remember my Goodwin getting a cheer from the audience as it came out 4 kilo under at Lyme nationals weigh in ( last century!)

The current investigation and discussion about the possible changes to the Solo is causing ( the correct) discussion. I am confident that the Solo committee have not forgotten us owners of older boats. I am sure that they will make sure that when all is sorted, that owners of all ages of Solo will be happy. The awarding of a special prize to the classic Solo,beating several late frp boats at the recent EOS event is perhaps a sign of the future?

Edited by ian.r.mcdonald - 25 Sep 19 at 7:06am

The Assoc committee are hard working people, trying their best for the class.

It's my personal view that this massive change is not good.

But at least they are trying!

If it goes through I believe we will lose some builders who decide that the cost of the new tooling and moulds are just not going to result in the income to pay for it.

And we will still have three builders even if all the changes are voted in . Tooling and moulds  are changed on a regular basis all the time . 

Edited by zeon - 11 Oct 19 at 9:14pm