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yellowwelly View Drop Down
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Posts: 2003 		Post Options Post Options   Quote yellowwelly Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: 4000 Facelift by Rooster
    Posted: 21 Jan 14 at 11:29am
The first time I sailed one (and only time I think) I thought it was quite cool... admittedly it was being compared to the double handers I was sailing at the time - Laser 2s (often without a trap or kite) and knackered Larks.  Perception is everything...

More recently I remember seeing one at the Grafham GP- behind me, when I was sailing my 100.  I heard there was another one kicking around Draycote but lack of a certain bespoke laser branded widget made it un-sailable.    Neither experiences filled me with joy for the boat- quite the contrary, it reminded me why it was best left with the Happy Mondays CD, Smirnoff Mule and curtain haircuts.

Anyway, these experiences are in the file marked 'history'- probably where the Laser 4000 should stay...  after all to fix the bugs would render the old boats obsolete, in turn making the whole resurrection utterly pointless...  Don't Wet & Windy offer 'new' Isos... I wonder if anyone has ever actually purchased one.

Dead SMODS, offloaded to other builders are not good investments.... the only exception seems to be the Blaze, but I'd put that down the very careful small footsteps, and a receptive group of sailors.


Edited by yellowwelly - 21 Jan 14 at 11:31am
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iitick View Drop Down
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Posts: 392 		Post Options Post Options   Quote iitick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Jan 14 at 11:37am
Originally posted by JimC

So basically the consensus seems to be that it needs new rig, new foils, new sails and new hull? I must admit folks that was my opinion the first time I sailed one...

I wonder what's happened to the Byte Association that they need manufacturer support to do the show. The rest of us manage...

One wonders how you do manage......if you are reffering to IC?
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iitick View Drop Down
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Posts: 392 		Post Options Post Options   Quote iitick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Jan 14 at 11:49am
Originally posted by RS400atC

Originally posted by iitick

.....

There will be no Byte at the Dinghy Show. The class is not dead, it is not old fashioned, it is not expensive, it has a niche and it is popular in other parts of the World. There will be no boat, even though it's presents would no doubt cause interest, because there is no manufacturer. The Association cannot afford a stand without manufacturer support and the boat does not carry a preponderance of one component manufacturer.

As far as I know the molds are sitting in Ovington's warehouse waiting to be collected. So why are manufacturers willing to resurrect geriatric lumps when they leave the sharpest, prettiest single hander to be imported from all over the World where good sense prevails? 


It seems to me there are dozens of medium sized singlehanders to choose from, and a limited choice of robust sub 920 PY boats suitable for the average couple.
I'm not sure what a stand costs, but if it is excluding many classes, then perhaps the mission of the show has drifted?

In my opinion there is no other single hander like the Byte except the expensive and defunct Europe. What would be the point of wasting money on a stand when new boats can only be sourced in Italy? Second hand sales are already very good.

Some people on here seem to be of the opinion that there are plenty of classes to compete with the 4k. 

To add insult to injury the RYA have decided to support the Youth Olympics (sailed in Byte C2) but qualifying in GB will be in Laser 4.7's. Thank you very much RYA, that does nothing for the class, puts sailors at a disadvantage, does nothing to encourage any manufacturer in this country and puts money in the pockets of foreign manufacturers who produce loan boats which then are marketed. 
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yellowwelly View Drop Down
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Posts: 2003 		Post Options Post Options   Quote yellowwelly Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Jan 14 at 11:50am
I guess that as the boat is aimed at adults, there are enough adults willing to contribute to make their stand, erm, stand out?

Messing around with kids boat that compete with the RYA syllabus ... well I applaud your free spirit, but don't expect you to get a free ride at the Dinghy Ex ;-)

FWIW - if there was a solid fan base for the Byte in Laserland, then a builder of Ovingtons credibility could have easily capitalised on it... but there isn't, not while the Laser gets all the free publicity from ISAF, RYA, Sport England etc  


Edited by yellowwelly - 21 Jan 14 at 11:55am
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iitick View Drop Down
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Posts: 392 		Post Options Post Options   Quote iitick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Jan 14 at 12:19pm
Originally posted by yellowwelly

I guess that as the boat is aimed at adults, there are enough adults willing to contribute to make their stand, erm, stand out?

Messing around with kids boat that compete with the RYA syllabus ... well I applaud your free spirit, but don't expect you to get a free ride at the Dinghy Ex ;-)

FWIW - if there was a solid fan base for the Byte in Laserland, then a builder of Ovingtons credibility could have easily capitalised on it... but there isn't, not while the Laser gets all the free publicity from ISAF, RYA, Sport England etc  

It is a lot more complicated than that. Ovington wanted to carry on but the rights to Byte are owned by Performance Sailcraft or whatever they are called, they pulled the plug. Politics, politics.

Byte is not aimed at kids in this country (but they are of course welcome). Last years Nationals and Inlands, Winner 26, second 54, third 60,s. Fastest woman.....politeness precludes but she has two mature sons. The common factor is weight...all sub 10 stone.
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iitick View Drop Down
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Posts: 392 		Post Options Post Options   Quote iitick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Jan 14 at 12:24pm
Actually after the Ovington Inlands in 2012 where the Bytes took part some wag wrote on the Graffham website, "What were all those grizzled old blokes doing in 'chicks' boats". Actually there were quite a few chicks as well but it made me laugh.
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JimC View Drop Down
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Posts: 6662 		Post Options Post Options   Quote JimC Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Jan 14 at 12:34pm
Originally posted by iitick

One wonders how you do manage...

There are loads of class associations at the show that fund themselves without a big builder behind them. I've not been involved with running a stand for, gosh, it must be getting on ten years, but the last time I was a pure class association stand got a substantial discount compared to one that had backing from a commercial company.
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Rupert View Drop Down
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Posts: 8956 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Rupert Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Jan 14 at 12:49pm
I'm not sure why you bring up the 4000's age in this, iiitick, when the Byte design is so much older?

The byte has to compete against many small singlehanders, most of which are older designs, so age would appear to have little to do with any of it. I think the problem it has is that the new rig is very nice and all that, but it cost pretty much the same again as buying a 2nd hand boat to upgrade.
Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686
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Blue One View Drop Down
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Posts: 317 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Blue One Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Jan 14 at 1:01pm
Originally posted by JimC

Originally posted by iitick

One wonders how you do manage...

There are loads of class associations at the show that fund themselves without a big builder behind them. I've not been involved with running a stand for, gosh, it must be getting on ten years, but the last time I was a pure class association stand got a substantial discount compared to one that had backing from a commercial company.


that is still true, but its still a lot of money for a small class. i know the british moth class thought long and hard about whether it was value for money and worth the trouble for the publicityand possible new members.
 i think it is, but it was a close run thing when it came to the vote!

 and dont even start me on trying to get members to man the stand Unhappy
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yellowwelly View Drop Down
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Posts: 2003 		Post Options Post Options   Quote yellowwelly Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Jan 14 at 1:05pm
Originally posted by Blue One



 and dont even start me on trying to get members to man the stand Unhappy

maybe they'd rather go sailing for the day  LOL  

I know I haven't been to the dinghy exhibition for what must be getting on for 7 or 8 years now.   Frankly I don't see the point unless you are actively in the market for a new boat, or really you have nothing better to do.... it's not like the chandlery stands were offering discounts on kit that you can't find just as cheap as on the internet.  
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