R Speculation

there's always spare mojo in the RS locker... not sure I really need it though.  My problem has always been too much mojo when it comes to dinghy racing, that's what leads to frustration when the mojo spillith over.  

Even my Solo- it was actually a really nice little boat, 'little' being the operative word... the built quality couldn't be faulted, the rig was simply wonderful with that HD sail.  I had some good messing around sailing in it, but that's got limited appeal inland so the racing needs to deliver too.  

I'd hoped that carrying 25kg over the optimum for inland sailing could be adjusted with tactics; well no, it can't- point to point on a reach if one guy is planing and the other is not, it's no contest.  Probably less of an issue if you have some salt in the water, waves on the rocker and wind in the sails, so I wouldn't want my experience of 100kg in a Solo to put off other potential owners at more suitable locations.

And there's no harm chopping and changing boats as your demands and other commitments vary- I loved my MPS before we had kids.  I was hopeless in it, there was no one to race against at the club and I rarely bothered racing as I was having so much fun just sailing it and learning something about it week in week out.  I only got frustrated when I had more than a couple of weeks away from it and I literally went backwards in terms of progression.  Any frustrations I had personally since then was all down to trying to find a boat that was 'as good as an MPS' without the commitment... it doesn't exist, maybe the reasons were always as obvious, but back then I didn't see it.  Plus windsurfing has given a much more detailed appreciation of unarigs and efficiency over the power of a spinnaker- it's why despite no real opportunity to purchase, I've always admired the Icon Mike's developed.  I'm sure 5 years ago I'd have written it off for its lack of downwind sails, but now should circumstances be different I wouldn't hesitate to buy one.

But right now there would be no point buying something that takes too much personal commitment- plug and play options are more relevant when a simpler life beckons.  That could be a race board, it could be something like this RS boat... I'd even consider just getting a Rooster 8.1 and being done with it, but that's probably a bit of step too far into crap boat territory for such a connoisseur. 

because fleet racing is worth the compromise 

I've heard Mylar usually rates about 15% more powerful (less leakage through the fabric?) which is why the Comet X has a shorter rig than a Comet - keeps the handicap the same.  Also why the Javelins so far insist on Dacron .. though given the flexibility of the Javelin rig I don't see how Mylar will manage all those different sail shapes.

A unarig with a bendy mast will surely need some flexible cloth somewhere in it's sail?  Guess it's a trade between power and shape adaptability.

Meanhwile Hartley's told me (not in confidence I add) that they're hoping to do a "Nova" - presumably same hull but a smaller rig.  A Splash to the SuperNova's Flash in other words.  Doubt it will be much cheaper tho!