I'm not sure whether putting on a smaller rig will address most kids' (people's!) basic problem with the 29er - the lack of inherent stability in the hull.

I could imagine that taking away the steadying (damping) effect of the bigger rig might make the boat more twitchy. Certainly that's been my observation when e.g. people have reefed their L2k's - the difference betwen the gusts and lulls is still a problem. The only time it would certainly help would be if you were consistently overpowered in steady winds, but that's not the problem I saw our juniors having when they were starting out in 29ers.

Oops! can opened, worms everywhere... (Quote)

It looks like they are filling the gap left by the Hobie 405s demise. Lightweights, asymetric, small sails and very twitchy! Probably a market for it.

That said it is probably just another hash together job like the 29erXX!

For sure, I wouldn't want to sail an XS in light airs, with its reduced sail area/wetted area ratio. The 29er is not exactly a flier in the light stuff already, and even a featherweight crew won't compensate for lack of sail area. 

Won't feel very cool when the Wayfarers, Kestrels and Ents start gliding past...

I think it's a great idea.

As you say, it's kool and doesn't look like a kid's boat, and when they get bigger or more experienced, simply get them a new rig.

You'll then start to get 2nd-hand XS rigs coming onto the market, which will enable parents to buy a cheap used 29er, and a used XS rig, so getting their kids on the water without breaking the bank.

A well thought-out idea if you ask me. One which gets my vote.

Isnt that what the RS feva was suposed to be for?

By reading the article (I know nothing of the boat) its aimed at small and young children with little experience with Spinaker's after coming out of (im assuming) Optamist's? adding a trapeze to the kite learning experience and the tippyness of skiff sailing isnt that a bit hard for kididie's or am I underestimating them or am I thinking of really small young kids.?

I know Trapezing is like "Uber" cool but I've actually gone back to saingle handed hiking boats (europe/CII) against the Vago....Ok still prefer the Vago in a big breeze

Originally posted by Jack Sparrow Originally posted by Slippery Jim Originally posted by Jack Sparrow We do love to buy into a BRAND in the UK. Don't we .......Baarrr! Baaar! To be honest I'm uncomfortable with how the brand extension of the 29er could affect other boats. All at minimum risk for the 29er. It´s called class development and evolution. Get used to it. (Time to be flogged in the hay loft with a tennis racket and fed to the ferrets, Mr. Sparrow - ah, memories! ) Yes I know what it is but it doesn't mean I have to be happy with it. What the 9er is doing makes total business sense but I have the feeling that the XS and the XX will damage existing classes without developing into something worthwhile themselves. The XS is essentially a loss leader for the 29er and the XX is a brand enhancer / media tool for the 29er. This all ends in lots more 29er hulls being sold, good news for all concerned with them, but maybe bad news for other classes.

That's all very well, but if the classes aren't delivering what the sailing public wants... It's time to remove the established protectionism endemic in this sector. Open it up. Times change and so does sailing...

This XS thing will have more in common with the 405 than the Feva. The 405 was GRP and had a propper, though small rig. The rig had spreaders and the hull was designed to take rig tension. This also meant that the boat could handle a trapeze. The result was a useful platorm for teaching the boat set up and trapeze skills that are transferable on to the 29er etc. Untill recently the 405 was a feeder class for the 29er, but now the class doesn't really exist as far as I can tell, and this XS thing will fill that gap nicely. 

Simples, because the V3k is not backed by the marketing power of Ovington, RS or Laser...   But actually, on a good day a V3k can see off normal club-standard 29ers; I'd have thought that the XS will likely be slower than a V3k except in a honking blow when it will see everything off, 420-style!

Although the V3k's predecessor was... Certainly there has been improvements in the boat since Laser gave it up, but then reflecting on Rupert's quote, maybe that is why they did.

I was told that they were considering putting buoyancy tubes under each gunwale (stabilizers!) to damp the rolly-tendency; how cool is that?! Apparently the demand for such  product came out of Italy  - a bambino-boat, thus.

The rig was tiny for the size of boat; I'd hate to race it in light airs. But the pair of tots I saw looking at it who I'd have said were a bit small for a Mirror or Feva probably found it very cool! Their dad looked as if he might be prepared to shell out money for it too.