The Real D-One Thread

James, the Musto model is a great one, just check the 700 vs the Musto nationals attendances over the last 10 years.  D-one Demo days will be conducted at local sailing waters not where we tell potential buyers to go (unless they want to) therefore you can try on your home waters.  Hence the comments by Declan earlier (one of the test sailors) saying how well the D-one performed on their wave patern compared to the 100. Therefore not flawed, IMO neccesarry so yo udon't have to be one of the other 6 selling the boat within a year. 

Your point about a trapeze boat is a valid one, but this is no different to any other class of boat.  There is a proven market for hiking single hander kite boat, you and the 100 boys proved that last year, and for every trapeze based monhull that sails pat you there is a moth or cat that sails past them!!

Edited by Ruscoe - 17 Jan 12 at 10:26am

Originally posted by rogue Originally posted by Ruscoe D-one sailing in the UK will have proper organic growth, it will sell because its a great boat not because Devotti or Suntouched chuck huge money at quick stop marketing campaigns.   you mean like putting ringers in free boats???

The Musto appeals to same breed of sailor who would otherwise be sailing Int 14s, 49ers etc but has the MAJOR benefit of not having crewing issues and not requiring sub 80kg as per the Mothies for the ultimate thrill ride.   It has a new emerging market of ex 29er youth sailors (who thankfully haven't had their passion killed by the RYA) and the average age and weight has fallen as per the last survey.  And it's a double-bonza deal for a great class- it's been without any detriment to new sales market for those who are typically older, fatter but can afford to fund new boats whilst retaining excellent residuals and a sellers market for the second hand boats.  I doubt very much the MPS class has 'told' people where to go get their club racing, these things are far more natural, organic as you say and the class probably congregated, even crossing territorial lines, simply to get better sailing.  This has the other benefit of (finally) enabling the muppets to have a go.  With right attitude and support from fellow 'club' sailors who know what they're doing, even a modest sailor can have a go and get on with it.  If I lived closer to Rutland it would be a no-brainer...

Edited by rogue - 17 Jan 12 at 11:22am

I would like one but at the price they are I could not afford it and keep the phantom, which I would want to for the class racing/social events. I think that the problem might be that I'd want the D for club racing and the phantom for serious stuff.

as for try before you by Jimbo, I would agree that they can not give you the full experience of a lifetime of ownership but its better than buying something because you like the look of it and then finding out it ain't for you at all (Gizmo anyone). I tried a 300 and just 10 mins of sailing including a capsize convinced me that buying one was the right thing to do. had it for 4 years and loved it, just got a little too portly for the thing. I'm aiming to try Rusco's D-one at wimbleball in a month or so and then you never know.....

James each to everyones own.  All the above is your opinion and all of the D-one statements need to be taken tongue in cheek and need a little perspective like for instance the larger kite the D-one has upto half a metre extra beam!  So Ample to keep the puppy in order! As for the garbage about the open circuit, these things are happening with the D-one including a top European circuit which is frankly something the 100 struggles with apart from tagging onto the already established RS eurocup (whats that one event?)  Not sure where you get your sales figures from either pal, the next brand new D-one is being delivered into the UK Thursday sail number 131, and unlike other manufactureres numbers started at 1, so 131 registered across the world. (Agreed not massive numbers, but lets allow for the mass marketing BS from RS and frankly cloudy pricing policy which would of desimated the potential market)  The Uk fleet is really just begining for the D-one and it seems a shame that you have to be so negative about but yet so supportive of another dinghy which by your own admision didn't match your brief.