A Bermudan makeover for the Mirror
by Simon Lovesey 24 May 2006 08:30 BST
The Mirror dinghy is arguably the most popular double handed sailing dinghy ever designed and now if you own one you can have an optional Bermudan rig. Spars for the traditional Gunter rig are made of wood but the modern alloy equivalent is cheaper, stronger and much easier to rig and maintain. You can still use your same Mirror sails with the new rig and upgrade in stages by getting the mast or boom separately as required.
“We’ve allowed adoption of the new rig after three years of consultation and testing and we’ve had unanimous support for it from Mirror Class Associations around the world, ” commented Simon Lovesey, Mirror Class secretary.
“The wooden parts were getting prohibitively expensive but the Mirror was always designed to be affordable. The traditional rig is prone to breakages particularly when tuned for racing,” added Simon. “It also requires lacing of the gaff making it more complicated for juniors and no other popular dinghy has that sort of rig these days. For the future of the class to prosper we needed to move with the times and modernise it.”
Now approved by ISAF, the new rig will race alongside its traditional counterpart in the Mirror fleet just as modern GRP Mirrors race against wooden hulls. So far testing has not indicated that it’s any faster, however indications are that it is fairer because middle ranking sailors will find it easier to tune their boats. There’s also no danger of the gaff falling down and hitting people on the head. Off the water owners won’t have to spend time varnishing spars either.
The alloy mast is available in one or two piece sections, so if preferred the spars can still be transported in the boat. For racing there’s the option of a tapered top section to make the boat easier to handle in gusty conditions by crew in a wide weight range. Internal running rigging is also an option.
Masts start at approximately £180 for a cruising version with a racing one at £259 and booms from just £55. Suppliers include Selden, SuperSpars, Trident and Z Spars but any spar manufacturer can supply one as long as it complies with the rules.
Full International adoption will commence on 1st Aug 2006, in the meantime UK sailors can apply for dispensation to use the new rig in class events up to and including Area Championship level
For more information log on to www.ukmirrorsailing.com