A warning from the past
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=11883
Printed Date: 09 Jul 25 at 8:25am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: A warning from the past
Posted By: andyk
Subject: A warning from the past
Date Posted: 12 Feb 15 at 2:33pm
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My opinion, I believe it to be true. Just a word of warning to the RS Aero. I'm not sure that adults want to be known as Aeornauts. Be very careful not to let the RYA hijack your boat. With it's multi rigs, they will make it a junior trainer and it will become too embarassing for adults to race. If you don't believe me, remember the Mirror dinghy. An excellent family boat, well and truly hijacked. I don't suppose the Mirror Class Association are quite so keen on being an RYA Junior class, now that the RYA have dumped them. Remember how the Mirror was not modern enough, so the RS Feva took it's place? Topper Class Association, be warned, you may be next. Compared to the Aero, you too will become 'not modern enough'. Always remember, juniors will join an adult fleet. Adults will not join a Junior fleet.
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Replies:
Posted By: turnturtle
Date Posted: 12 Feb 15 at 2:46pm
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Can they be called Aero-souls instead? And it's not just for kids, don't believe me, check out the video... [TUBE]Z2eozOqpN44[/TUBE]
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Posted By: cad99uk
Date Posted: 12 Feb 15 at 2:50pm
unless it's a 29er 
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Posted By: boatbasher
Date Posted: 12 Feb 15 at 2:53pm
I believe there is a more generic term ... RS-souls ... |
Posted By: Rupert
Date Posted: 12 Feb 15 at 3:27pm
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The process for the Topper was well under way when I joined the class 15 years ago for a while. In the recent past before that, adults had competed regularly on the circuit. By the time I was joining in the local open, it was just me and another parent who didn't want to stay on the shore. Trouble is, beat the kids and you get looked at by the parents as though it is child abuse. And lose to them - well, you've lost to kids... I can see this happening to the Aero5, but as it is in the position that the Laser 4.7 is in, where there are bigger sails for bigger people, the small sail will only get used by adults as a go for a blast sail when the kids are ashore anyway, I really can't see what the problem will be. What Topper should have done was produce a 7m sail for adults. Would the spars have taken it?! ------------- Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686 |
Posted By: iiitick
Date Posted: 12 Feb 15 at 4:54pm
| I believe Hartley are considering a smaller C2 rig, C1? for Byte. Obviously the class is for the slim and delicate anyway, this will make it suitable for slimmer, delicater or younger humans. |
Posted By: Rupert
Date Posted: 12 Feb 15 at 5:14pm
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Crowded section of the market already. ------------- Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686 |
Posted By: JimC
Date Posted: 12 Feb 15 at 6:14pm
| I suspect the main risk for the Aero would be the Champs ending up as a predominantly youth regatta as the Laser champs appear at this distance to have become, with big adult turnout reserved for the masters event. |
Posted By: iiitick
Date Posted: 12 Feb 15 at 7:46pm
I always thought that was the Olympic effect. Cautionary note!
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Posted By: sargesail
Date Posted: 12 Feb 15 at 9:13pm
| Anyway the correct term is aerotics! |
Posted By: gordon1277
Date Posted: 13 Feb 15 at 8:29am
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Sorry Matt its
Aeronuts ------------- Gordon Lossc |
Posted By: iiitick
Date Posted: 13 Feb 15 at 10:53am
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The Byte C1 exists! Not just a Hartley creation but international. Pictures on PSA website, apparently Hartley had one on London Boat Show stand. No need to sail a blunt nosed, flappy sail, rotomoulded thing now? Not sure myself I, can't see it replacing our rack full of semi-destroyed (but still staggering on) Toppers. The new rig is bottom section and sail. The rest is the same.
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Posted By: L123456
Date Posted: 13 Feb 15 at 11:08am
Do they buy their shoes here?  |
Posted By: turnturtle
Date Posted: 13 Feb 15 at 11:09am
| They're on the Kings Road aren't they? |
Posted By: Rupert
Date Posted: 13 Feb 15 at 11:13am
Isn't the C2 call that because it has a 2 piece carbon mast? Logically, a C1 would have a one piece carbon mast. But then, the 49er is called what it is because it is 4.9m long. The 29er isn't 2.9m. Laser 5000 the same with Laser 4000. No space for logic in boat names, it seems. Have you got a picture, iiiiiiiiiiiitick? ------------- Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686 |
Posted By: ds2
Date Posted: 13 Feb 15 at 11:17am
| Rupert, think I've seen pictures on international byte class association site. |
Posted By: iiitick
Date Posted: 13 Feb 15 at 11:41am
Quite correct RRRRRupert, C2 meant Carbon 2 piece, no C1 is C1/2 piece. Don't bother looking for a picture just stand further away from a C2........
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Posted By: Rupert
Date Posted: 13 Feb 15 at 11:47am
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Just found a pic from where Ds2 suggested (thank you) and you are right - it goes look very similar. Are there still many old unconverted Bytes out there to rig with this smaller rig?
------------- Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686 |
Posted By: iiitick
Date Posted: 13 Feb 15 at 11:56am
Yes there are but it seems a bit odd to buy an old Topper Byte and throw away the rig to replace it with a (probably) expensive new rig much the same size as the old one! The classic boat is not that bad and is still in use in the Far East. Recently there has been talk of going from Oppie to C2, this has been done but the C2 is not exactly a starter boat. Perhaps this will work?
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Posted By: Rupert
Date Posted: 13 Feb 15 at 12:00pm
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It would only make sense if there were lots of people sailing with the C1 rig. As it is unlikely to get any sort of youth pathway recognition over here, I agree it would be an odd thing to do, except that the new rig is very tuneable, whereas the old Byte rig was a lot of work for not much outcome
------------- Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686 |
Posted By: Dougal
Date Posted: 13 Feb 15 at 1:13pm
 First time I have laughed all day. Thank you!------------- What could possibly go wrong? |
Posted By: iiitick
Date Posted: 13 Feb 15 at 5:20pm
| Sure Rupert I agree but If I were a parent would I wish to pay out a bucket of cash for a C1 rig to suit an ex Oppie size kid. In my experience children have an annoying habit of growing! A very good lad of about 7 stone coped quite well....in fact VERY well in a C2 last year and ruffled a few feathers! Not sure I would like to offer him a C1......he would punch me in the middle! |
Posted By: sargesail
Date Posted: 13 Feb 15 at 6:59pm
That might be appropriate for your sailors - round here they're aerotics!
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Posted By: turnturtle
Date Posted: 13 Feb 15 at 7:03pm
| Neurotics on HRT more like.... aero 7 sailors anyway |