Fusion?
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=12521
Printed Date: 28 Jun 25 at 9:38am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Fusion?
Posted By: jeffers
Subject: Fusion?
Date Posted: 15 Sep 16 at 9:13am
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Came across this: http://www.fusionsailboats.co.uk/" rel="nofollow - http://www.fusionsailboats.co.uk/ Apparently a JV which includes the biggest producer of rotomoulds in Europe. I am no fan of 'tupperware' boats but this one does look good and seems to be pretty responsive and has some nice ideas (handles at the bow to help with recovery). The lines might also look familiar to some giving a clue as to who the person behind the design is.... ------------- Paul ---------------------- D-Zero GBR 74 |
Replies:
Posted By: getafix
Date Posted: 15 Sep 16 at 9:31pm
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Feva-alike If it was Huawei and HP I would speculate someone would be on the phone to their lawyers..... |
Posted By: Rupert
Date Posted: 15 Sep 16 at 9:56pm
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Different market to the Feva, which is very much in the Cadet mould of being a pure junior boat, though easier for an adult than the Cadet! This looks more like a bigger Q'ba to me, with D zero styling. Which sounds quite appealing. ------------- Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686 |
Posted By: dieharddinghysailor
Date Posted: 15 Sep 16 at 10:10pm
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My goodness, not another multi-purpose sailing dinghy........geez, as if there wasn't enough to choose from......ah well, guess that progress..... ------------- michael |
Posted By: RS400atC
Date Posted: 16 Sep 16 at 6:39am
Probably quite high profit margins if you can break into the beach holiday/activity centre market. These rotomoulders probably make compost bins for £20 the rest of the week, my bin even has that bow handle.... |
Posted By: turnturtle
Date Posted: 16 Sep 16 at 10:20am
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Oddly enough, I can see the appeal. I watched a couple of guys out sailing on a really little lake near me last summer. I happened to be there for a big family & friends picnic. They were singlehanding mirrors (no kite, but messing around with the jib)- no real wind to speak of, but enough to pootle around between a couple of marks for something vaguely competitive. Shorts n' T-shirts stuff. I chatted to them after they came ashore- as you do when other dinghy folk appear when you were least expecting it. They said they got mirrors purely because their kids were fickle and it was the 'perfect boat' for either taking them or not, no bother either way. I liked their attitude, and their approach to whole thing.... it was just for a laugh and they weren't trying to fool anyone about their abilities, ambitions or the inherent coolness of their vessel, especially themselves. This looks like that kind of boat - albeit nicer modern lines and f**k all wood work. The price is exceptional too - Good luck to all concerned.
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Posted By: transient
Date Posted: 16 Sep 16 at 10:33am
Absolutely. Could do with a bit more of that in the sport. |
Posted By: jeffers
Date Posted: 16 Sep 16 at 11:42am
My eldest has a Mirror (that is to say I bought it, she sails it...). I 'borrowed' it a few weeks back and took my 2 year old out in it. She loved it, every second and was wanting more when i eventually said we had to go in. I bribed her with sweets! Mirrors definitely have an appeal, this will almost certainly appeal to the training centres but i can see it getting a wider following in the same way as the Vago has. ------------- Paul ---------------------- D-Zero GBR 74 |
Posted By: Daniel Holman
Date Posted: 16 Sep 16 at 1:08pm
Given that I designed that handle specifically for this application, faired the boat around it and it has only existed in injection moulded format for about 10 days I would be most surprised and impressed!! 
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Posted By: Late starter
Date Posted: 16 Sep 16 at 1:58pm
| I can see the appeal too. I was on holiday the other week in the lakes, and there were dozens of recreational boaters out. Some had inflatables with a small engine, some had inflatable one or two seat canoes, and there were a couple of Mirrors and a a couple of old Toppers. In other words your typical entry level beach boat crowd, all pretty inexpensive and easy to transport. In fact I was thinking I could do with a simple car top recreational boat myself for family holidays, and I couldn't think of anything much better than an old Mirror. So there's definitely room for something a bit more modern in this market and I can see the Fusion fitting right in at those prices. |
Posted By: Pierre
Date Posted: 17 Sep 16 at 11:28am
Well said Mr Holman, well said. I shall bear you in mind next time I need a bespoke handle designing. It is a much ignored yet vital part of our everyday existence.  |
Posted By: NickA
Date Posted: 14 Jul 20 at 7:15pm
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Sort of more modern Pico. There was a bunch of them out in Poole harbour when I was working there the other week. Looks quite nice. Now merged with topper and to be a Topaz Fusion ... That'll kill it. ------------- Javelin 558 Contender 2574 |
Posted By: Rupert
Date Posted: 14 Jul 20 at 9:31pm
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I'd not heard that. Have they taken on the little play boat, too? Sad economic times the cause? ------------- Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686 |
Posted By: Daniel Holman
Date Posted: 14 Jul 20 at 10:11pm
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Hi Chaps, Fusion and the company owners are doing great, and have shifted over 100 boats in first half of 2020 which may make them record holders amongst dinghy manufacturers. The Topper association is as a result of moving the rotormoulding of the hulls to Topper's facility, and an arrangement regarding increasing marketing reach and access to some far away markets. I think it stays "Fusion" in certain territories and "Topaz Fusion" in others. Dan
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Posted By: Rupert
Date Posted: 15 Jul 20 at 8:48am
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Good to hear. Talking to the guys at conferences they have a real enthusiasm and knowledge of the sport. ------------- Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686 |
Posted By: salmon80
Date Posted: 15 Jul 20 at 9:11am
I have a mirror too. For recreational sailing they are unbeatable. Wood doesn't have to be high maintenance either just slap crude paint and varnish over and bare patches and when the time comes to do a full paint they are now so cheap you can buy another and gather around the old one on a cold winters evening and burn it 😂 |