what is this?

Originally posted by Chris 249 So how does the Tempo compare to the Fireball in performance and handling? And why did it die out in SA (it is dead as a class, isn't it?) when it has the Sprog and Sonnet as feeder classes? PS where's that pic - Saldanha at a wild guess?

mmm that is and definitely WAS the subject on many debates in days gone past. Personally my experience on the Fireball is rather limited, and my bias is towards the Tempo. All I know for sure is that the Tempo was maybe a bit slower on "take-off" but once on the plane, with that very very flat bottom of the hull the Tempo really was fast. Negative side I found, when sailing in the Langebaan Lagoon, was that the Tempo with it's very low frame, and hardly any rocker compared to the Fireball, would "dig in" very quickly on broad reaches and runs especially, so some skill was required on downward legs in medium swell.

I can also say with confidence that I out ran many a windsurfer, yes even a few kite surfers and to my pleasure some Hobie Dragoons and 16/18's in strong wind with ease. The Tempo is FAST under medium to strong wind conditions, and yep quite a handful with the large sail area.... especially the big Jib which required some real strength to handle

Sonnet 1150

Laser II 1055

Tempo 1012 (same as Hobie Dragoon)

Fireball 975

29-ER 922

505 910

Hull weight 79 kg on Fireball same as Tempo

Spinnaker area 13 m2 on Fireball same as Tempo

Jib / Genoa area 3.3 m2 on Fireball compared to 3.9 m2 on Tempo

Mainsail area 10.0 m2 on Fireball compared to 8.5 m2 on Tempo

so Tempo has Total sail area of 25.4 m2 compared to Fireball with 26.3m2. 

Why the class died out I am not sure, all I know is that dinghy sailing in South Africa in my opinion just died suddenly in the early 90's.... windsurfers did most of the damage i guess, but then they too suffered in return when kite surfers came out... People especially kids just don't really care about sailing in general I guess, easier to watch sport on the evil TV, shop, eat, eat, eat and play computer games.... I am not sure of the total amount in ZA, but i always thought it to be about 400 boats???? 

Germany and Holland's fleets lasted longer but I guess started later as well... Only a few handfuls of tje old racing dinghy's held on eg Sonnet, Dabchick, but once again, with international mould produced classes such as the 29'er etc around who wants to build a wooden dinghy nowadays ---- ME !!!! and a few handful's.

Anyway, tx for the interest, please feel free to find me at the Temp Group on facebook (link below)