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Melges 15 and Beneteau 14

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Post Options Post Options   Quote turnturtle Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Melges 15 and Beneteau 14
    Posted: 13 Jul 22 at 11:03am
Anyone got any feedback on these two new classes?

They look like interesting double-handers to some incumbent alternatives, esp the Beneteau which has the option to move the DB into a forward slot to convert it into a Singlehander with a Kite.


Edited by turnturtle - 13 Jul 22 at 11:03am
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Post Options Post Options   Quote turnturtle Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Jul 22 at 11:10am
The Beneteau First 14 seems to come in two flavours:

- standard with Dacron sails

- SE edition with a more performance orientated programme

Both look interesting...




Edited by turnturtle - 13 Jul 22 at 11:12am
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Post Options Post Options   Quote turnturtle Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Jul 22 at 11:11am
The normal version also seems to have alloy spars too... so a definite race vs crusing option.



Edited by turnturtle - 13 Jul 22 at 11:25am
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gbr940 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Quote gbr940 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Jul 22 at 12:20pm
Was lucky to get to sail a Melges 15 on a recent trip to the USA (at Hampton YC), fantastic bit of kit but the price tag I don't think will look great in GBP or EUR. Didn't feel particularly quick upwind but from 60-70deg through to full on downwind it was rapid!

Not sure it'll do on PY but a great alternative if you're after something different 

Edited by gbr940 - 13 Jul 22 at 12:20pm
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Mozzy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Jul 22 at 12:53pm
Off boom sheeting with cleat... not sure that's the best option for a single person boat with spinnaker. Like you can see the in the first picture the sheet can end up awkwardly far away when you want to pick it back up. 
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Post Options Post Options   Quote turnturtle Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Jul 22 at 1:06pm
On my RS100 I switched the ratchet off the swivel base and moved it to the boom, replacing the boom block back onto the swivel base... I found it made life a little easier in unarig mode on tight reaches, but I don't think I'd want the cleat up there too, so good spot!

Edited by turnturtle - 13 Jul 22 at 1:06pm
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Post Options Post Options   Quote turnturtle Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Jul 22 at 1:07pm
Originally posted by gbr940

Was lucky to get to sail a Melges 15 on a recent trip to the USA (at Hampton YC), fantastic bit of kit but the price tag I don't think will look great in GBP or EUR. Didn't feel particularly quick upwind but from 60-70deg through to full on downwind it was rapid!

Not sure it'll do on PY but a great alternative if you're after something different 

Thumbs Up was it a bit 'Laser II' ish without the kite?
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Old bloke Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Jul 22 at 2:05pm
Look at the width of the transom on the First, also the blurb on the Melges is all about stability. I bet the pair of them will stick to the water like velcro until its blowing old boots.
Great for hooning around but are they proper racing boats?
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Post Options Post Options   Quote tink Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Jul 22 at 5:11pm
https://www.beneteau.com/en/first-se/first-14-se
Looks like attempting to be something for everyone, the focus here will be on the racing but it also ‘ allow(s) you to explore distant shores’ 
The unfortunate for UK market‘Mobility’ has an interesting carry on board trolley but in one photo the bow is resting on a BA the other a spare tyre, hopefully not on your average beach. Not really their fault but they talk about car topping- at 70kg hull that’s close or above many modern cars, if that’s hull weight where you putting mast, boom. Impossible to outboard and rowing provision. 
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Post Options Post Options   Quote RS400atC Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Jul 22 at 7:33pm
Originally posted by Old bloke

Look at the width of the transom on the First, also the blurb on the Melges is all about stability. I bet the pair of them will stick to the water like velcro until its blowing old boots.
Great for hooning around but are they proper racing boats?

I think the Melges have credible OD racing in the US&A.     
 
 
 
The Bendytoy looks like it's primarily aimed at the Med beach fleet market? I think they've been around a while. IMHO you only have to see the central toe straps to realise no sane person wants one as a personal boat. But that's the euroland way. A lot of intensively used fleets, then get new after a few years and the old ones go to landfill or the East.
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