Nationals attendance.

The lightening is a good boat.  But it's an obscure boat and one with lots of competition.  I'd have thought a steady 25 at the nationals was a real and satisfying achievement.  Goodness me, we only manage more than 25 Javelins by joining in with our German and Dutch mates ... and a 3000 nationals of more than 20 would be cause for major celebration!

wholeheartedly and totally agreed with GRF's last statement - uh oh...did I just say that?

Yep as if.. Like they can control the cloth manufacturers all the way back to the loom..


And don't even start me on the variations involved in extruded aluminium even without looking at the huge mast bend variety at the Olympics.

Edited by iGRF - 20 Sep 13 at 9:52am

Of course there are variations in manufacture as well as allowable choices. With lightning there are 3 types of sail, all Norths, and a variety of masts as well as rudder options. There are also boats with and without thwarts and even travelers. There are ordinary kickers and cascade kickers. All these variations are a product of development because classes have to develop (unlike L**sers). Within a SMOD however development must be as limited as possible to eliminate an arms race. On the whole it seems to work for the main body of the fleet, who may loose any advantage gained on one bad tack, but perhaps the usual fleet leaders who make few mistakes any advantages however small are important.

Originally posted by fleaberto You're right, Lightning368 is a great lake boat (pivoting centreboard, tracked mast, planes very easily & early....) give one a go if you get the chance.

So, you're a fellow EPS rider, when and how do you take the decision to sail one or the other? Or were you already a Lightningista before you bought the EPS, there is no doubt at this lake I sail at, with it's manifest underwater opportunities to come to a dead halt, a centreboard would give one more option to sail where one wants to go without having to slam tack, gybe wide in order to miss an entire area within which you know there's something just waiting to upend you.
I imagine a Lightning would also be a hell of an easier sail, and quicker rig on the days I get there late, right now I'm twitching at the constant offering of a Solo going reasonable already in place, I just can't bring myself to do it, then I'd switch the EPS to where it is much more at home, on the sea for the times when I find myself crew less.
So would I also be in with a prayer against a Laser or would it just be no contest and just a handicap thing, do Lightnings well sailed beat Lasers that go the wrong way for example in confined water, it could never happen on the sea?

Edited by iGRF - 20 Sep 13 at 11:14am