National Firefly Class annouce rig modernisation
by National Firefly Class 1 Apr 11:03 BST
1 April 2020
Tuesday racing in the Firefly Nationals at Lyme Regis © Jess Douglas
The National Firefly Class have announced sweeping rule changes to modernise the 80-odd year old design.
New rule F001.20 allows for a full carbon mast, bowsprit and revised sail-plan which increases the 8.36 m2 (90.0 sq ft) sail area to 57.13 (615.0 sq ft) including a 37.16 m2 (400 sq ft) asymmetric spinnaker. The rule changes were submitted to the RYA at 0315 on Monday 2nd March and approved Wednesday April 1st.
"Basically we'd had a few beers at the RYA Dinghy Show and we just thought why the heck not!" said Class Technical Secretary Alex Ogilvie, "It's an old skiff rig so its in keeping with the class ethos of being cheap, plus it's much easier to get a spare mast than from Rondar! The enormous spinnaker was Michael Stevens idea, it's bl**dy genius!"
When questioned on how this was all going to work a representative from the class said, "Bit of duct tape, it'll be fine! The Lasers have a bunch of new rigs and everything's going great with them! In all honesty though, the crews are probably going to be a bit pressed when they have to hoist and drop the massive kite... but we've kept the jib-stick and the kicker is still right in the middle where they sit so they should feel right at home!"
Class Sailing Secretary Guy Davison said, "When I left them in the Mossy Well, they were still discussing whether they'd rather fight a bear or a bear sized crab!"
The RYA Technical Department said, "Definitely the bear."