Icon

I don't feel their performance is exactly stunning, but that could have just been the people who were sailing them. But I'm not hearing a lot of people saying they are blown away by them on the water. It looks nice and the rig is fashionable.


What can we say - You are absolutely right it turned out to be a right slug and much much slower than expected - Yes we finally have to admit it.  God we thought it was going to be so fast, and make us mere mortals look not so bad ... and it turned out to be a right drag ....  We are struggling against virtually everything at Burghfield and elsewhere ...

So when exactly can we expect Sailjuice and our local handicappers to give us poor buggers even a slim chance ?  They have us pinned down on horrible horrible numbers and Andy 'dancing farmer' is thinking about taking up embroidery now as much needed theropy.  it is so so unfair.  I cry to sleep every night I think about it.

Come along all of you and  support our cause - and what a worthy one it is as well.  Bring a bit of happiness to the few in need and support our campaign for a fully charitable Icon handicap (and yes RS400 we can see from your comments you are really are one of those kindly samaritans in your own way and already rooting for us)     

Mike L.

PS - And if any of you really want  to see how slow Icon really goes for yourself the CA is very happy to assist and can arrange a loan / trial.  Then you can understand as well.  There might even be a couple at some of the Sailjuiice events as well just so we can reinforce the point by showing you how slow they really can be sailed ...  


Edited by blaze720 - 30 Oct 13 at 6:29pm

No probs RS ....  you are right  in implying Icon would make a really cracking spinaker boat as well. .... But it does go rather well without of course.  We believe it capable of easily competing against a kiteless 400 around the course even with less 'white sail' area on it ....   maybe that would not be fair but we could try it the other way round sometime just for fun ...

'Probably the fastest boat of its type ... anywhere' but 'nice' as well for us por old lags ! (come on then rise to it !)

Seriously if you are at any of the events when we pitch up with Icon do come over and 'kick tyres' with us.  We are friendy souls really and enjoy a bit of friendly rivalry or banter .. over coffee ... or more often than not a beer.   

Mike L.


Edited by blaze720 - 31 Oct 13 at 10:35am

Jeepers

Cannot speak for Scotsfinn but Peaky is growing his crew currently... (his family) and he has diverted into a Blaze for a few years as he has crew issues - but he will be back. 

There are still more opinions flying around here than actual experience of the boat.  Those that 'knock' or like you are perhaps understandably sceptical or simply just curious are still invited to try and surprise many of you it will.   Of course we promote and enthuse about the boat here as does Devoti elsewhere and as I'm sure you do with your class. 

Icon was developed on a relative shoestring in an age where the major emerging suppliers are beginning to doiminate and squeeze the smaller developers.  Marketing 'push' is now and remains a major determinant.   All our resources were put into the boat ... rightly or wrongly but we think it was totally essential and yes yes it was right.  We therefore had to harness the project to larger partners and the early owners to grow the class.   This is not the fastest or easiest route of course !   

Icon is however therefore still effectively an 'independent'  privateer in the age of the would be 'multi-national' supplier.   It is not for everybody of course - but it might just be worth trying by everybody at least once.  It will be a very dull world indeed if we end up with just a couple of multi-class SMOD suppliers.   I'm not knocking the 'majors' but I am stating a case for independent new class one-designs between the majors and the pure development classes.

It is different ... and if you want instant  fleet racing it will not be for you - yet.   If you try and appreciate Icon and how it sails and do like to 'different' rather than accept 'convention' on a plate occasionally you will love it.  The CA has only recently formed and affiliated to the RYA and will be exhibiting in its own right for the first time at Alexandra Palace in 2014.

Dinghy classes as Bethwaite said can have a life span of 40+ years and as we know some classes thrive much longer still.  Ultimately it is not only 'marketing 'push' that works as it can do in the short term.  To prosper long term beyond the initial marketing froth and 'spend' the boats character has got to be great and perhaps even Iconic. 

Sail the boat first ... then judge the boat.  You will be very welcome.  

Mike L.
   


Edited by blaze720 - 31 Oct 13 at 8:10pm

The Icon is great, well suited to the sea and lakes, light, modern, simple. But with a young family, working away from home and starting a business I simply wasn't sailing enough to keep it.

Originally posted by Do Different Somewhat puzzled by the criticisms levelled at both the Icon & Alto.[Sheep or Goat, take your pick.

Sheep mainly or luddites and it is they precisely who slow development of classes like the Icon, Alto, with their 'advice' ooh if it hasn't got a class don't buy it, kind of dingy catch 22 really and the ultimate last gasp of the class system, which is f**ked anyway they just don't know it yet.