J24 (Sail No. 4239) Dartmouth |
29er GBR 074 Tynemouth |
Laurent Giles 'Jolly Boat' Exeter |
List classes of boat for sale |
Solo changes survey |
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ian.r.mcdonald
Far too distracted from work Joined: 24 Feb 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 440 |
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Topic: Solo changes survey Posted: 10 Sep 19 at 2:51pm |
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Thanks David. Think a review of my downwind at the weekend is called for. Am spending too much time looking back at other Solos and not forward to catch the Supernovas! |
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Cirrus
Really should get out more Joined: 29 Oct 15 Location: UK Online Status: Offline Posts: 590 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 10 Sep 19 at 5:08pm | |
If the aim is to expand the class then asking current owners what is needed boat wise is not necessarily the right path (ask those who don't sail it now !) and this is the problem with many traditonal classes doing reviews like this. Few want to potentially devalue their current investment. For the Solo additonal take-up may not be the issue as it enjoys good support already ... So what about 'modernisation' for the current owners ? My bet is most will inevitably be conservative so the class is unlikely to change much .... What would make it nicer ... er at least in my opinion ? Not too much needed really is the basic answer. I would however go for a loose footed sail on a carbon boom ... but just stick with the alloy mast on cost grounds. Why tubular carbon boom ? Less mass flying around in each gybe (good return on the upgrade cost imo) so fewer capsizes possibly and a lot less 'pain' when you do catch your head on the boom (since you do need to go for a lot of rig rake these days). Leave most of the rest alone ... it is an old 'traditional' design and too much expensive lipstick won't change that. Whatever the class goes for make sure that 'older' boats can still be as competitive as before ... ie - Don't dabble with the hull too much and any changes should be retro-fittable to earlier hulls.
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ian.r.mcdonald
Far too distracted from work Joined: 24 Feb 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 440 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 11 Sep 19 at 3:01pm | |
Advice from Taxi means I will modify my position away from the coffee table in the light stuff, so if nothing else comes from this discussion, I may be faster downwind in 3 kts!. But whatever is decided post questionnaire, the thought of attacking Mr Miles craftsmanship to remove the beautiful centreboard capping on 4217 is not an option. Perhaps the changes may trigger more interest in specific racing for classic Solos beyond the excellent work the guys at Leigh SC are already doing? |
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jeffers
Really should get out more Joined: 29 Mar 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 3048 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 11 Sep 19 at 3:05pm | |
I thought the class voted to keep the capping fairly recently? I was chatting to one of our Solo guys and he was waiting on the last vote before he ordered his new one.
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Paul
---------------------- D-Zero GBR 74 |
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ian.r.mcdonald
Far too distracted from work Joined: 24 Feb 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 440 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 11 Sep 19 at 3:07pm | |
It did, or certainly it was discussed and no action was taken. Not sure if it was 2 or 3 years ago. Now we are doing it again with lots of other possible changes! Edited by ian.r.mcdonald - 11 Sep 19 at 3:20pm |
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NickM99
Posting king Joined: 26 Apr 14 Online Status: Offline Posts: 145 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 11 Sep 19 at 6:02pm | |
I think that was based on a vote at the AGM but not all members of the Association were asked for their views at the time.
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ian.r.mcdonald
Far too distracted from work Joined: 24 Feb 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 440 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 19 Sep 19 at 5:17pm | |
The Solo association are saying that the carbon mast and boom idea has not been supported.
The removal of the " coffee table" and transom change are still up for a possible vote next year. So I would suggest it's going to be very easy to get a new Solo built as most potential buyers sit back waiting to see where the class is going. The overall weight is going to drop 3 kilo, which makes my Miles with no correctors even more fun when I beat new frp boats, but would suggest the class sees the new frp boats the only topic worth considering . |
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tink
Really should get out more Joined: 23 Jan 16 Location: North Hants Online Status: Offline Posts: 788 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 19 Sep 19 at 9:29pm | |
I have only dipped into this thread but it is these tiny bit not insignificant changes to one design classes, in general, that play into the hands of SMODs and will long term see the demise of these classes. People that want to develop boats will continue to sail development classes. My class this year approved the change from alloy to carbon booms, it was stated in the AGM that it would have no effect on speed but just mean the boat easier to sail. That is subtext for you won’t capsize in heavy weather. My only chance of being competitive in my older over weight boat is when the breeze gets up and the newer boats can’t cope and capsize. It is economically sensible to change the boom on a newish boat but clearly not on an old boat like mine. I will not be replacing my current boat with same class.
To many changes to the already relatively expensive Solo will have people leaving the class and will not attract and one to the class.
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Tink
https://tinkboats.com http://proasail.blogspot.com |
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Sam.Spoons
Really should get out more Joined: 07 Mar 12 Location: Manchester UK Online Status: Offline Posts: 3398 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 19 Sep 19 at 10:29pm | |
This get's to the nub of the problem with modernising older OD classes. Changes big enough to attract droves of new sailors will make older boats so uncompetitive that you alienate the core membership. Is a 3kg weight reduction going to devalue old boats? Yes it is. Is it going to attract iGRF (notwithstanding his very brief dalliance with a Solo this term)? No it isn't.
At least if you go carbon rig anybody can buy one and be just as fast as the top guys but 3kg weight reduction is just pointless IMHO........
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Spice 346 "Flat Broke"
Blaze 671 "supersonic soap dish" |
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JimC
Really should get out more Joined: 17 May 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 6649 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 20 Sep 19 at 3:34am | |
If every competitive boat in the fleet is carrying lead, then the lead is pointless and ditching it just saves hassle and takes a few quid of the cost of new boats.
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