Cirrus Icon Development

SMODs usually have single sourcing of key equipment – hull,spars,foils,sails.  This keeps these items consistent and arguably fairer and more economic.  It certainly stops the pressure to have multiple cuts of sails and for periodic tweaking of hull shape ’within the rules’.   The rules simply reflect this model of equipment supply.  Some SMODs will have very tightly defined rules beyond these key items; almost defining what ropes can be used for racing.  Others, and ICON will be one of them, will allow a certain amount of  personalization in areas such as the mainsheet set-up.  (We recognize that some may not get on with ‘off boom sheeting’ for example !) .  

Defined hull weight ? – Yes – with correctors if needed – bonded in during the final build …. To avoid that inevitable temptation ….

Manufacturers veto – Yes as it is a SMOD but for ICON if you want to replace minor items such as blocks with your favorite no problem provided they approximate to the ‘standard’ one.   In this respect it will be little different to a host of other mainstream SMODs.  Well run SMODs classes are managed by the manufacturer with a lot of CA input – why would they ignore useful input.  Both CA and manufacturer should share similar goals, promotion and expansion of the class.   

It should also be remembered that many traditional CA run classes still have to get approval for changes by the original designer who may well be external to the class.  In this respect there is little difference between SMODs and these CA managed classes as the ‘designer’ is often the SMOD  manufacturer involved.   

Where does development stop ?  - When you launch it if you are sensible.  Periodic major reviews aside the SMOD model is intended for those who want a defined standard package for racing.  If you lean towards a lot of incremental personalization then the development classes are the ones to go after. 

The thing about the UK is that there is a lot of choice – development, traditional ‘one-design’ and SMOD classes.  If you don’t like one approach then you can switch.    

If we get it right ICON will offer a real alternative with a high specification at a very affordable price ... soon now.

Mike L.  (Cirrus)

 

Mainsheet .....

ICON standard issue will be 'rear plus off the boom at front of cockpit' but it is not an issue we are going to get bogged down over.  If you want a 'traditional' rear sheeting system it will be allowed and conversion between these systems relative pence  to change.  It is a SMOD but  this sort of thing will be 'free range' as it costs very little to switch.  

Similarly - you can have a thwart if you want one ... it will be a standard option.  However it is not critical for the structure and so those who do not want one can simply not order/fit one.

Mike L.

The 'hybrid' NS14 test-bed had less volume and was both narrower and shorter than ICON however it coped well with a wide variety of crew weights in informal racing.  The key is the very adaptable carbon rig - if you set it up correctly to your weight and use the standard controls.  We injected more volume to extend the crew weight capability but the rig is very similar to the hybrids rig - however mast wil be a bit more raked, the main slightly smaller and the jib a bit bigger.  Most of the extra hull length went in front of the mast to change this sail balance - we are not restricted by a development class limits now.  This keeps the centre of effort low and allows a larger offwind jib projection on the 'semi-automatic' jib stick on the opposite side to the main.  It is not like the N12's as it would have to be very long indeed and our version stows along either side the boom.  However it is very simple, permanenetly attached and imposisble to lose over the side.

I think Peaky is about right on 'ideal' weight but the very light stayed carbon rig will extend the 'ideal' range further than could ever be the case with an alloy one.

Funnily enough Moo when my kids were a bit bigger than your daughter we got a 200 but it was soon obvious that my son could not play the spinnaker in breeze and we were simply not prepared to wait a couple of years so quickly switched to a Tasar about 10 or 12 years ago -  the years are very valuable when they are young.  Anyway - fantastic boat, opened my eyes as to what was possible with such a 'simple' set-up and partly now why we are developing ICON.  We could sail it in breeze very quickly and it was 'right' for us at that time - ICON is intended to have a wide weight range and I believe we have done all the right things to make this possible.

Mike L. (Cirrus Raceboats)    

Latest progress on the hull plug.  Note how it is double chined at the back, single chined in the middle and unchined at the front:

What was the thinking with the chines, I wonder?