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Topper Sport 14 |
Post Reply | Page 12> |
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davidhix
Newbie Joined: 21 Jul 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 3 |
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Topic: Topper Sport 14 Posted: 21 Jul 08 at 2:00pm |
Does any one have any tips or gold nuggets they would like to share on racing the Sport 14. I have had the boat 11 years and although I am not the greatest of helms really good performance on our club lake continues to illude me. On some points of sail it can be very fast and on others darn right embarrasing, in light airs the boat is a disaster and I often I also lose a lot of speed rounding a mark (but this may be the helm?). In a pursuit the boat is started with the Lasers, but as I am a solo sailor managing the kite is often a hindrance, but without it the boat often does not have the downwind pace. The User Manual is little more than a text on how to put the thing together and offers little wisdom on tuning the boat. I have often found getting a good main sail shape in the Mylar mainsail at set up is difficult and results in many creases. If you have any advice on how to set it up for sailing predominantly under main and jib I would really appreciate it. Thanks!
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Jamie600
Really should get out more Joined: 14 Jun 05 Online Status: Offline Posts: 718 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 21 Jul 08 at 2:23pm |
Hi David, It's difficult to say without seeing you sail but the obvious answers to the problems you've mentioned are get your weight forward in light airs, and for mark rounding try and turn a nice smooth curve without using the rudder too much, and start your turn wide from the mark so you can then cut close to the mark without loosing speed. Other than that the best advise is to read up on racing (the sail to win series is a good place to start) and watch other boats. |
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RS600 1001
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Phil eltringham
Really should get out more Joined: 16 Mar 04 Location: England/Hitchin Online Status: Offline Posts: 1105 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 21 Jul 08 at 2:45pm |
You are fighting two problems here, firstly sailing it single handed will always be slower, realistically you are well within your rights to have the handicap adjusted to make account of this. Secondly the boat was not desined to race, and has never performed well on the race course, by topper's own admission they got it wrong (even more so with the sport 16!!) I would suggest that you read up the the tuning guies for the enterprise and wanderer for a general overview of how to set the boat up, the principles will be the same, even if the application differs slightly.
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FLAT IS FAST!
Shifts Happen |
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davidhix
Newbie Joined: 21 Jul 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 3 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 06 Aug 08 at 10:00am |
Phil & Jamie, Many thanks for the Sport 14 replies, belated due to holidays. I have taken note of the advice and will put it into action, |
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Laserfan
Newbie Joined: 31 Aug 08 Location: France Online Status: Offline Posts: 1 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 31 Aug 08 at 9:24pm |
I am just wondering the number of persons that can be carried by a Sport 14, some say 2, some say up to 5 but I could never find the "official" information. Does anyone have the answer (maybe from the user manual ?). I seriously consider buying one used Sport 14 for family sailing, (we are 2 parents and 3 teen agers, let's say about 350 kg total family weight). Thanks for any advice you could give. |
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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: 01 Sep 08 at 5:06am |
2 Parents and 3 teenagers sounds like an awful lot for a 14 foot boat... I think you'd need to go at least Wayfarer sized.
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Rockhopper
Really should get out more Joined: 16 Nov 07 Location: Eastry Online Status: Offline Posts: 642 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 01 Sep 08 at 7:59am |
hi laserfan we have a sport 14 in our club and we have had three adults and kids in so it does carry the weight well they are good boats well made and strong just not very fast but are good as training boats.it will never race to its handicap . so i would say get one and enjoy it.
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Retired now after 35 seasons in a row and time for a rest.
2004 national champ Laser5000 2007,2010,National Champ Rs Vareo |
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davidhix
Newbie Joined: 21 Jul 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 3 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 03 Sep 08 at 10:27am |
Hi Laserfan, I have not made any firm plans but had toyed with the idea of selling my Sport 14. If you wish to contact me on david@nematron.net perhaps we can discuss your interest? |
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GsyNiall
Newbie Joined: 26 Oct 14 Location: Guernsey Online Status: Offline Posts: 1 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 26 Oct 14 at 11:55pm |
I've just joined the group and this forum. I've just acquired a Sport 14 and noticed that this thread mentions a "User Manual" - can anyone tell me where I can get one, or possible send me a PDF of theirs?
(The previous posts are all dated 2008 - so I maybe talking to no-one!) |
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bert
Really should get out more Joined: 23 Apr 05 Location: norwich usually Online Status: Offline Posts: 584 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 27 Oct 14 at 3:02am |
The above quote should point you in the right direction for set up advice ( hopefully ) guides for other class's are usually available via their class web site,otherwise ask local sailors at your local sailing area/club for their advice on set up & handling tips. The user manual wasn't much more then a guide to putting it all together from what I can work out. Edited by bert - 27 Oct 14 at 3:03am |
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