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Getting back into sailing... |
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G.R.F.
Really should get out more Joined: 10 Aug 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 4028 |
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Topic: Getting back into sailing... Posted: 25 Apr 17 at 10:06pm |
The only problem with Whitstable and Wilsonian is the requirement that helms have six fingers and marry their sisters, we're not so insistent on inbreeding on the south coast.
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E.J.
Posting king Joined: 19 Feb 06 Online Status: Offline Posts: 184 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 25 Apr 17 at 9:04am |
Kent is increasing in numbers for Contenders at the moment, 6 at Broadstairs with pockets at Downs & Hythe. Helps with the polarised performance if you have boats to Yot against.
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Do Different
Really should get out more Joined: 26 Jan 12 Location: North Online Status: Offline Posts: 1312 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 25 Apr 17 at 8:38am |
At last rich96, a voice of reason over rumour on the Contender facts. The much lighter carbon boom does make it a bit more user friendly in the light now although not necessarily any quicker.
I am often surprised at the suggested helm weights needed for classes, I'd have thought 90kg is adequate for all the bigger single handers. Ultimate upwind speed in big wind yes weight pays but there are plenty of other aspects to our game than pure grunt n power. |
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rich96
Really should get out more Joined: 20 Jan 05 Online Status: Offline Posts: 596 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 25 Apr 17 at 7:54am |
The Contender struggling in the light is not anything to do with its weight - there are lots of much heavier boats that go very well in the light - Finn, Albacore etc etc etc
Its the hull shape (no real rocker) and the long boom that tends to tighten the leech. The centreboards are already carbon if required - makes no difference to light wind performance though ? A helm of 90kg would be fine for a Finn or Phantom inland (and most of the time on the sea really - if fit enough) |
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turnturtle
Really should get out more Joined: 05 Dec 14 Online Status: Offline Posts: 2538 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 24 Apr 17 at 10:01pm |
Indeed - but it just doesn't suit my personal desires with this specific class ;-) |
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NickM
Far too distracted from work Joined: 27 May 09 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 328 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 24 Apr 17 at 9:45pm |
Richrocksmy: If you want to race, you won't find much at Bewl: the club folded a couple of years back. Best inland stretch in that part of Kent is Bough Beech. A few Finns, Phantoms and Supernovas there which go well. Contenders don't really prosper.
For proper sea sailing in Kent I think Whitstable is hard to beat: friendly club too. Miles of Medway tidal water off Wilsonians and a few keen Blazes. Don't really know about East Coast Kent Clubs - some keen Contenders at Downs I think. I'm sure the south coast is good too if you don't mind the wave breaks on the shingle... |
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Rupert
Really should get out more Joined: 11 Aug 04 Location: Whitefriars sc Online Status: Offline Posts: 8956 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 24 Apr 17 at 7:34pm |
One person's "vested interests", another person running a successful international class, and wanting to keep it that way.
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Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686
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turnturtle
Really should get out more Joined: 05 Dec 14 Online Status: Offline Posts: 2538 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 24 Apr 17 at 3:42pm |
agreed on many of those points....
- go to the coast if possible, inland should be for winters only if < 60 minutes from a sea club - Contenders are TOO heavy, agreed 100%; but try telling that to rest of the International Class with their vested interests.... |
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iGRF
Really should get out more Joined: 07 Mar 11 Location: Hythe Online Status: Offline Posts: 6496 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 24 Apr 17 at 3:31pm |
Because they are too effing heavy, reckon if I had one built to the sort of weight I can handle, had the plate made from carbon instead of heavy whatever wood they use it could be a really nice boat but I don't disagree they suck on inland water, but our YOUNG friend here should be aspiring to the coast if he is within striking distance of Whitstable and there they did have a half decent MPS fleet so that could also be an option especially if he's 90 kgs, which was my problem with the boat, it's not difficult to make it go, it's just tricky if you're too light which I was/am, so either a Contender which would be cheap, or Musto which is less so. Why it is all the good boats are built for lard boys I don't know. Edited by iGRF - 24 Apr 17 at 3:32pm |
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turnturtle
Really should get out more Joined: 05 Dec 14 Online Status: Offline Posts: 2538 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 24 Apr 17 at 3:09pm |
[shudder]that'll be a short return to sailing after a RS600 then...[/shudder] Echo Neptune - MPS is easier to sail than the 600, obviously there's a bit more going on on the corners, and you can't jessie gybe around the marks in windy weather like you could on 600, not without dropping the kite. They're great fun with a fantastic class association, but a 300 might offer a easier re-entry into sailing, especially if you can't commit to regularly sailing week-in, week-out through the initial learning curve, nor are looking to make use of the circuit. Graeme- the fact that the Contender (970) can live with you in an EPS (1030) in light winds, isn't exactly an accolade mate..... they suck in light winds, even the guys at the zephyr Oxford Blue a couple of years ago agreed.... they were getting ghosted by kids in Aero 5s at the time. They're a fantastic sea boat, or on short chop big lakes / inland waters with wind (Medemblik, Garda etc), but they're rarely in their element inland in Blighty. Edited by turnturtle - 24 Apr 17 at 3:10pm |
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