D-Zero

Just one of us simon, I quite like the simplicity of the control systems, not sure why anyone would need it split either side on a boat unless it's as wide as a d1.  Like you say you can split the tail if needs be, but I would expect you could tie the kicker off on the dagger board handle ala laser.

As for switching from d1, I am not fully decided.  I have paid my deposit for a zero, subject to sailing it. In terms of rig control it looks exactly the same as the d1, just without the centre traveller.  The kite is great on the d1 and I love the boat.  It's a great flying machine with few vices, it's now just about found it's space in the market and I guess it's almost at the point where it doesn't need a demo donkey.  Not only that my life has changed massively in the last couple of years.  My new job means I am away from home and under considerable pressure so I just want to sail locally, I don't really want to travel massive distances.  I live in a particularly bad part of the country for fast boat sailing, I can travel 5 minutes to my local ditch and have great racing and a beer.  So that's where I am at the moment.  

For me the zero was a no brainer.  It's designed by a chap I would now call a mate, the retailer is a small business run by too lovely people who I would again call friends.  It's built by arguably the worlds best boat builder, the sails, hull design,  mast all look excellent value and beautifully built.  The boat is very light and has water line length on its side, it looks friggin cool and it's £5500 why would I look at anything else?

you're not, you're crap at that as well

We are expecting the GBR demo boats in early April.  Dates for our demo days will be announced soon.  If you want to try the D-Zero email me to get on our D-Zero mailing list.  rodney@suntouched.co.uk

Let's be honest, most people will still buy a cheap laser for at least the next few years, but we only have to look to the Solo to see that £4k for a relatively old boat is a bit of barrier to entry for those switching over from Lasers, whereas £2.5k buys them something comparatively competitive if they stick with a Laser, and it will probably a fair bit newer and shinier, especially with the inevitable new sail they will buy.