Icon

Rupert ...

Glad you enjoyed it - pity there was not much breeze.  Come back again when conditions are a bit more lively and hold on ...  !  It can be very quick indeed.

Mike L.

PS - We may have a couple of Icons at Datchet in 2 weeks ...

Sandgrounder

I think we know where you are coming from.... perfectly reasonable to ask anyway of course.

The CA has just formed, has affiliated to the RYA, and will be exhibiting in its own right at the 2014 Dinghy show ... it is up to them when and where they run an initial Nationals.   I'll speculate though and say it will possibly be towards the end of 2014 and will be attended by about 10 boats...

The project is not backed by a relatively high marketing spend ..  we put the available money in the product itself ... and we do not expect 'impressive' numbers quickly .. or an equally quick fall back soon afterwards when the 'next best thing' comes along either.  The class will prosper long term on the input of the owners and that 'old fashioned' enthusiasm that  can still be found out there if you look hard.  This is what historically was critical in growing and maintaining the longer lasting classes.  

So do you want to borrow one and join in as well ?   I'll risk using the slogan of the National 12's here.  Perhaps  'Dare to be different'  might be worth a try and at least go out in one yourself ?.  I bet I've sailed in your class.....   You really do only have to ask !

Mike L.


Edited by blaze720 - 02 Dec 13 at 10:33am

Sandgrounder

Your query was always reasonable ... and/but got a humerous responce.  This forum, like many others, does have a style of its own.  Many of the FOM types frequently do go out of their way to wind each other up .. and just about anyone else for that matter.  We are all 'fair game' here ....

I think something got lost in translation there perhaps ?  You would be very welcome if you ever did want to try an Icon.

Mike L.

Yellowwelly

It would not be impossible at all but the boat is not designed for it and no trials /tests have been performed  ... I use a crew myself most of the time but just occasionally will single-hand one if it is very light. 

'03' like all other Icons is fitted with track mounted jib sheet Harken ratchet blocks on the cockpit floor  and I have a pair of 'opposite side' cleats on 03 just behind the shrouds and a continuous jibsheet.  Single handed tacking just takes a bit of planning and practice to get tight - but it is not difficult.   Many boats now have jib cleats on the central spine just in front of the plate case - more conventional and might be easier.

The possible interactions between the dangly pole and a self tacking set up would also need to be thought through carefully.   It might be something GRF tries if he does go for asymetric in his project  as that might be more practical  - I'm assuming with a spinnaker / trapeze he would not need/want a dangly pole.

Mike L.

I'm not at all convinced that a self tacking jib and a dangly pole interact well.
With a self tacking jib a better match is probably the setup seen on several recent canoes where a spar on the foot of the jib is extended some way past the luff, and then a control line is run from the end of the spar up to the mast at around jib halyard height as a sort of kicking strap for the jib.