contenders

   anyone know the approximate build dates and the builder of contenders by sail number?

I know it went from Ronstan, to Wavelength (Bob Hoare), Wavelength (Chris Somner) then Hartleys (plus the european and australian builders) ... but when did each change happen and why do the sail numbers jump from around 720 to 2000?

I might like to buy one, is all and would like to know what I'd be getting!

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NickA Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 30 Mar 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 784	Post Options Post Reply Quote NickA Report Post Quote Reply Topic: contenders Posted: 10 Oct 19 at 7:33pm
	anyone know the approximate build dates and the builder of contenders by sail number? I know it went from Ronstan, to Wavelength (Bob Hoare), Wavelength (Chris Somner) then Hartleys (plus the european and australian builders) ... but when did each change happen and why do the sail numbers jump from around 720 to 2000? I might like to buy one, is all and would like to know what I'd be getting!
	Javelin 558 Contender 2574

ian.r.mcdonald Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 24 Feb 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 440	Post Options Post Reply Quote ian.r.mcdonald Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 10 Oct 19 at 8:10pm
	The sail number " jump" was after I sold my last boat. Originally Uk sail numbers were just for UK boats which was unfair as it made the class look less popular. The jump in number was because worldwide boats were all taken into account. Worth speaking to Mark Hartley. Contender sailor, nice guy and as the builder he may have some number records

NickA Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 30 Mar 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 784	Post Options Post Reply Quote NickA Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 10 Oct 19 at 10:01pm
	I was talking to Mark on Saturday ( his shop is down the road) .. I forgot to ask about the number jump. He has a beauty for sale, but £11500 is WAY beyond my budget ( or ability! )... Think we concluded I want a carbon rigged Chris Somner Wavelength one.
	Javelin 558 Contender 2574

ian.r.mcdonald Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 24 Feb 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 440	Post Options Post Reply Quote ian.r.mcdonald Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 11 Oct 19 at 7:06am
	Good choice

Gordon 1430 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 27 Jun 17 Location: Lee on Solent Online Status: Offline Posts: 310	Post Options Post Reply Quote Gordon 1430 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 11 Oct 19 at 7:25am
	There is an Bonetti boat on facebook looks great. https://www.facebook.com/groups/dinghies/
	Gordon Phantom 1430

PeterG Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 12 Jan 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 822	Post Options Post Reply Quote PeterG Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 11 Oct 19 at 9:16am
	UK boats used to use a UK sail number as well as having an international hull number. Some years ago it was decided the hull number should also be used for the sail number. It gave international consistency, and also overnight increased the apparent number of Contenders by 3-4 fold!
	Peter Ex Cont 707 Ex Laser 189635 DY 59

Dougaldog Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Far too distracted from work Joined: 05 Nov 10 Location: hamble Online Status: Offline Posts: 356	Post Options Post Reply Quote Dougaldog Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 11 Oct 19 at 10:05am
	Nick A - a decade ago now I did the history of the Contender and am just finishing a full rewrite that will come out as a 50th World Championships special. If you hop over to facebook and look for 'Still Hooked On' (the working title of the book - the original of course was just 'Hooked On') you'll find loads of stuff sailors are sending in on the story of the class. I also suggest that you read the latest piece I've done for this Y&Y website on shape shifting as there are some crucial facts set out there on how the 'fast' hull shape developed from the original one penned by Bob Miller (with a lot of help from people in the UK but you'll have to wait on the book for that story). Today - with pro-grip and modern fittings, the Contender is a much kinder boat to sail than it was back in the 1970s, when it could be a right sod (I still have the scars to prove it) but for a hopeful sailor today, you have essentially two choices. Get a real cheapie -say, sub £750 and get the knack of sailing the boat but in the knowledge that you'll end up needing a change at the end of the year. Or, fork out something in the region of £2000 and buy a Wavelength - all grp so little in the way of maintenance issues. Although called Wavelength, they were built by Ian Ridge and are a very quick hull shape, Ian certainly knew how to build quick boats that last well. There's a nice Wavelength for sale at Netley, I was RO for the Contender Open there this weekend and the boat still looks good.....plus a near sister ship had the boatspeed to win one of the races. The Bonezzi's are wonderful and look amazing out on the water but in the early stages, when you're clambering all over the hull - as everyone does - you'll be glad of that grp. Enjoy - a fantastic boat Dougal Hooked On/Still Hooked On Edited by Dougaldog - 11 Oct 19 at 10:17am
	Dougal H

Dougaldog Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Far too distracted from work Joined: 05 Nov 10 Location: hamble Online Status: Offline Posts: 356	Post Options Post Reply Quote Dougaldog Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 11 Oct 19 at 10:15am
	Oh....and as regards the numbering - it used to be on the basis of national fleets, so you would have K160 v I 11 , aussie boats were KA, Rhodesian one (big fleet there at one time) KR and so on. Then came the move to use IYRU plaque numbers instead, so the sail number became that plus the country code… GBR 2349 etc.....though it has to be said that some have been granted permission to keep their old sail numbers - just as with the Finns! Dougal Hooked On/Still Hooked On
	Dougal H

ian.r.mcdonald Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 24 Feb 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 440	Post Options Post Reply Quote ian.r.mcdonald Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 11 Oct 19 at 12:45pm
	The Bonezzi hull is a thing of beauty. As David suggests, the combination of a work of art, a trapeze hook and someone getting used to the class is a brave choice to take.

E.J. Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Posting king Joined: 19 Feb 06 Online Status: Offline Posts: 184	Post Options Post Reply Quote E.J. Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 11 Oct 19 at 6:59pm
	As far as uk boat builders go in reverse order; you have our current builder Hartley boat from sail no 2700 in epoxy only, before that it was Chris Somner in epoxy from 2550 and GRP from 2361, before that Bob Hoare in a mix of composite and GRP from SN 667 (uk numbering), before that it was ridge/wavelength from SN 616 (uk) any thing in GRP before that will be Rondar ( 2 marks) these over lapped with The ridge boat until the later 600 sn’s. All uk builder have used variations on the same moulds however Hartleys have completely retooled. In the uk you will still also find many wooden Bonezzi of all ages as the last forever, epoxy Bonezzi’s from about 2009, and shappi’s ftom Germany. All boats from 600 ish will be competitive as long as they are down to weight with a carbon rig. Uk sail numbers went upto GBR 720 and the started at GBR 2315 in 2006 (although there is small amount of overlap), other countries allow personal number (DEN, NED, ITA) which adds to the confusion.