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what makes a good fleet racing singlehander |
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Medway Maniac
Really should get out more Joined: 13 May 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 2788 |
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Topic: what makes a good fleet racing singlehander Posted: 31 Mar 12 at 10:07am |
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I certainly agree with that on the evidence of classes so far - people have chosen monster kites by my reckoning. Asymmetric kites typically used dominate your course off-wind and, as you say, above 12kn that means right downwind. But how about a small kite of similar proportion to upwind sail area as the L2k? On the L2k it's certainly worth playing the angles downwind once there's some breeze despite its weight (the weight dictates it's a soaker in less wind, of course), yet in club racing people are able to benefit from the kite even above a true beam reach. Any size kite with a decent luff length will unstall the main, after all, and that makes life more lively on a broad reach - often a boring leg in, say, a Laser. One of the problems I often find as an RO setting courses for mixed fleets is that to make life at all interesting for Lasers, Streakers etc. (even N12's), I have to set reaches that are too tight for most asy trapeze boats, else condemn the Lasers to a dull plod downwind. Even the 45 degree downwind legs of triangles are boring a lot of the time in a s'hander unless the wind is really up.
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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: 31 Mar 12 at 11:33am | |
I came to similar conclusions when designing/developing my PlusPlus. Its more complicated for me because I'm not a enthusiast for sailing very deep, I'd rather sail slighly hotter angles, and I don't sail in waves. The Moths have one solution, which is to have tons of apparent wind, but that's not for everyone. The new lightweight ICs getting there I think, and doubtless so is the A Class catamaran, but these are not confined water boats. Reluctantly I may have to admit that, for now at least, the best compromise for confined water is to sail slow boats.
The trouble is that it will so often be the smart move to drop the kite and square run if you want to win races. Ultimately though, to repeat myself, I think searching for a perfect boat to be a fleet racing singlehander is a fruitless search, because the solution doesn't lie with the boat but with the sailors. The particular set of enthusiasm and talents required to do it are very rare (I know I don't have them for instance), and if your club has any of these people you need to cherish them! Edited by JimC - 31 Mar 12 at 11:38am |
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rogue
Really should get out more Joined: 04 Dec 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 978 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 31 Mar 12 at 12:23pm | |
Thanks guys, and Jim I remain optimistic that what appeals in Solos and
Lasers can be applied to something a bit faster. I agree totally it's also about people, but you do need to make sure that the carrot is sweet, hence my 'open' approach to finding a suitable boat for our club infrastructure. I've received a very positive reply from a local Blaze sailor who would be happy to help put some work in. I might be a bit heavy for one, but they look like fun, so that's one confirmed on the list already and there's some interest from some other local sailors too. I'll get a firmer idea on numbers and get in touch with Mike about possibly setting up an open demo day later in the year- hopefully this would have the double whammy of generating some new members too, which would be most welcome. Edited by rogue - 31 Mar 12 at 12:26pm |
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G.R.F.
Really should get out more Joined: 10 Aug 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 4028 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 01 Apr 12 at 6:29pm | |
Our Blaze sailor is probably bigger than you, he's got a new sail, and won today, in a bloody awful swirly drifter with wind coming from two different directions.
I'm on the look out for one for when it's light, or down the lake, biggest mistake I ever made selling it.
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haroosh
Really should get out more Joined: 14 Jan 09 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 521 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 01 Apr 12 at 6:44pm | |
I can't believe 2 ex 100 sailors are getting excited by Blaze's????
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Keith
RS100 GBR 116 (XLR8) |
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Neptune
Really should get out more Joined: 08 Jun 09 Location: Berkshire United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1313 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 01 Apr 12 at 7:02pm | |
Why, a blaze I faster than a 100 until you get your kite going and it suits most club courses more!
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Musto Skiff and Solo sailor
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G.R.F.
Really should get out more Joined: 10 Aug 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 4028 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 01 Apr 12 at 7:09pm | |
If they'd put a kite (optional extra) on the Blaze in the first place I'd never have bought the 100. And since then I've learned that in some conditions and in certain applications a kite aint going to help you anyway.
The Benefits a Blaze has over the 100.. Better PY You can park it whilst you ditch the trailer. Better righting moment for light weights. Nicer cut sail. Easier to recover from capsize. Less painful to sail. Edited by G.R.F. - 01 Apr 12 at 7:16pm |
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haroosh
Really should get out more Joined: 14 Jan 09 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 521 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 01 Apr 12 at 8:17pm | |
Just look at them both.
I suppose each to their own. I think the 100 is a really easy boat to sail and a pretty good club all rounder. I don't understand the stability argument???? |
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Keith
RS100 GBR 116 (XLR8) |
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rogue
Really should get out more Joined: 04 Dec 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 978 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 01 Apr 12 at 8:19pm | |
considering the chap who first commissioned what was to become the RS100, sold his and bought (another) blaze, I wouldn't think you'd find considering a Blaze after a 100 as something complete off the agenda... the other guy who had one of the first production boats also now has a Blaze.
Frankly I'm not here to pimp them over anything else- but if there's a few other guys that are happy to consider them as a class racing boat, then they can add me to the list to help swell numbers (and when I can't sail it myself, I'll make it available to anyone else)
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Ruscoe
Really should get out more Joined: 12 Jan 10 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1514 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 01 Apr 12 at 9:39pm | |
Blaze is a cracking boat, the new Cirus ones look fantastic. Clean lines, nice spec. Even testing carbon masts now! Why the hell not? Would crucify a 100 upwind as well (or so i hear)
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