D-Zero

As a D-Zero 'Big Unit' sailor I have found capsize recovery very easy and pulled myself back in with no problem, never thought about hand rails or old fashioned gunwhales ( they are just so 20th.century) while I was doing it.
Might give that extra kicker purchase a go, can't resist a not required bimble, it's in the DNA

fell out of the demo boat to windward last weekend whilst kiting it laser style in gusty weather and talking to an Aero 7 sailor about which was the right way round the course. needless to say, not concentrating and binned it to windward. Swam quickly round to board, climbed on and happily rolled back into the cockpit as the boat came up with the sail to windward. Was expecting it to roll me out again but the inherent stability of the hull form meant it didn't go over the other way as the boom came over and I was back racing within 15s of the capsize. never felt the need for grab rails and didn't use the grip pad on the hull. I now have my new boat delivered and not intending to put grip pads on.

planning on some bimbles, but need time and a few parts first- as a 12 sailor, just can't help myself- have to bimble!


Edited by Jeremyc - 10 Nov 14 at 7:24pm

It's the traveller line Rupert.  It's important to keep it tight, bar tight. But as you tension you can move the traveler turn ring which means your traveller is longer one tack then the other.  So rule of thumb is tension and centre 

Originally posted by Null It's the traveller line Rupert.  It's important to keep it tight, bar tight. But as you tension you can move the traveler turn ring which means your traveller is longer one tack then the other.  So rule of thumb is tension and centre

So you have a traveller but don't use it? Or do you drop it down when it blows, but have to centre it in the light stuff?

Disappointed now, partly because travellers are banned in the Lightning, but also because I was hoping it was some special piece of kit unique to the 0.

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