Dinghy development: Rediscovering apparent wind sailing

Rediscovering apparent wind sailing

Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: Dinghy classes
Forum Name: Dinghy development
Forum Discription: The latest moves in the dinghy market
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=10173
Printed Date: 19 Jul 25 at 10:20am
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Topic: Rediscovering apparent wind sailing

Posted By: ifoxwell
Subject: Rediscovering apparent wind sailing
Date Posted: 03 Dec 12 at 4:36pm

No real point to this post but you can read it if you want.

As some of you already know I've bought myself an asymmetric vortex to sail. Not because I really wanted one but just because I wanted a cheap, easy to sail single hander with a kite, that I could race in our fast fleet. And the Vortex seemed to fit the bill perfectly

First impressions were as i expected frustrating as being basically being a cat it doesn't give me the feedback that I'm used to but i have to say I'm getting to like it, even more so after this weekend.

I don't think any one would describe a Vortex as a true apparent wind boat. It clearly makes use of the apparent wind but you wouldn't put it in the same list as say a 49er, 14, moth or perhaps an 800.

However because it sticks more than most in lighter winds it gains more than most when it unsticks so you end up giving much more thought to the apparent wind than its performance on paper might suggest. And being nice and stable you have plenty of the time to think about these things rather than worrying about trying to stay upright.

So I guess my point is if your looking for something fast cheap and relatively easy as I was dont just discount the Vortex because its a cat, there is still plenty of fun to be had.

Ian

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RS300

Replies:

Posted By: Ginge
Date Posted: 03 Dec 12 at 7:43pm

Just being nosey here.. Did you buy it last sunday from beaver?

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Laser

Posted By: ifoxwell
Date Posted: 04 Dec 12 at 9:00am

No, I bought it six weeks ago from Hartlepool but due to other commitments havent had a chance to use it much so far.

But I'll hopefully be sailing it now though to Easter at least :-)

Ian

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RS300

Posted By: mangoman
Date Posted: 04 Dec 12 at 5:02pm

I've been telling him for years what a great boat it is so it's good to see I have finally talked Ian round to getting one !!

Now all we need to do is convince GRF and get him sailing on the Medway as well .....

Posted By: pondmonkey
Date Posted: 04 Dec 12 at 5:28pm

nice one Ian... I've heard a lot of folks say the Vortex was the boat that could have 'almost been perfect'. That tends to be heavier guys though, so I guess some of those anti-lightwind comments are less relevant.

Glad you're enjoying an asymmetric anyway.

Jimbo

edit- and yes Grumpf should get one for the Sea sailing.

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Posted By: getafix
Date Posted: 04 Dec 12 at 6:03pm

perhaps if it was a little longer and carried a bit more sail area upwind, with maybe a lighter mast?

Posted By: ifoxwell
Date Posted: 05 Dec 12 at 12:20pm

Its a long way from perfect and as getafix suggests it would definitely benefit from a bit more length and a better rig... although at my weight the sail area is about perfect.

So you do need to accept that it will never sail like a dinghy but if you do then there is plenty of fun to be had.

My first sail was on a light and fluky day and Mangoman was pretty much packed away and showered before I even made it to the beech, which at the time was very frustrating. But then I look back on it and realise that it was a pleasant enough sail and that the guy how had recently bought a 700 capsized at least twice and probably arrived back much colder and wetter than I was so perhaps it could have been worse.

Second sail was in 25knts plus and was pretty full on. I went into irons on pretty much every tack and again could have got back pretty frustrated... but then again if I had bought a 700 or perhaps another Musto i doubt I would have made it off the beech, so again it could have been a lot worse.

And then last weekend we had 7-10 mph lots of sunshine and with the Vortex unsticking and starting to shift when the 800's were still struggling to get planing efficiently I started to realise that as long as you can accept its many short comings there is actually a lot of good sailing and fun to be had for not that much money. As i say... it could be worse.

Ian

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RS300

Posted By: simonrh
Date Posted: 05 Dec 12 at 4:42pm

I miss my Vortex, we had some good sailing her and me

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Vortex Asymmetric 1064
Dart 18 7118
Smartkat stunt sailor extraordinaire