Modern symmetric two-hander?

Originally posted by Solo4652 So, we end up gybing the downwind angles, much like an asymmetric. Maybe that's one reason why symmetric kites have all but disappeared - modern dinghies are too fast to make them work efficiently.

I crewed for Dan Alsop for a good few years in the 1980's - lovely guy and great sailor. Bumped into him at Salcombe Week this summer, and he's still right up at the sharp end of the fleet. In reality, I'm looking for something less complex and less expensive than a Merlin for club racing at Leigh and Lowton. I don't want to spend a fortune - I'll keep my Solution for days when crew isn't around - so I can't afford to have a lot of capital sitting in the boat park. Might even forego a kite as long as the boat is light and reasonably modern.

I've spent a few seasons crewing a scorpion and found the wide side decks nice to hike off, although it was a wooden one. Maybe toestrap length is your issue?

The Scorpion & Merlin may have been around a while but as they have both been refined continuously over the years they are arguably more modern than a lot of later designs.

As for why sail a symmetric spiny boat, as well as the previous comments it's just another part of the game... the tactics change slightly but it's fun and a different sort of challenge. My other boat is an RS800 so I'm not against assymmetrics, just think there is a lot to be said for sailing symmetric boats as well. Yes when the breeze is up it can be quicker to sail angles but it is only really effective on large courses and force 4+ for the Scorpion, the rest of the time you'd probably be looking to soak on the runs. The crossover time can make for some really interesting racing though!

As your looking for something simple, inexpensive and light then it will really just depend what is on the market at any given time. At 81kg the hulls are lighter than most the contemporaries but complexity and value will depend on the individual boat, there are a few options on http://www.sailscorpion.co.uk/?page_id=751&a=browsecat&category_id=1 though.

If you want simpler, cheaper & weight is still an issue then you could also consider a Lark?

P.S. Jeffers, I almost joined Hunts this year (couldn't justify the joining fee on top of membership for how much I would actually sail there) but I may yet do next year in which case I'll bring Sc2037 down. The deck shape has changed a bit over the years and there's a little toe trap adjuster next to you so hopefully it'll be a bit comfier than you remember if you fancy a sail...

Y'all need to MTFU with the 'M' standing for 'Modern' and try an Alto. Ticks all those boxes, soak deep, yet run hot angles, is easy to handle yet tests the brain.

Scorpion? Merlin? have it written in your will you can be buried in them by all means but as modern boats?

STFU! with the 'S' most definitely standing for 'Shut'.

Edited by iGRF - 23 Oct 15 at 8:38pm