J24 (Sail No. 4239) Dartmouth |
29er GBR 074 Tynemouth |
Laurent Giles 'Jolly Boat' Exeter |
List classes of boat for sale |
So if it were down to us which Olympic boat |
Post Reply | Page <1 45678 16> |
Author | |
Guests
Guest Group |
Post Options
Quote Reply
Topic: So if it were down to us which Olympic boat Posted: 16 Feb 12 at 2:38pm |
I think that whatever skiff ISAF choose it will be a step forward for girls in our sport. All of the boats look decent, I don't think there will be a wrong choice.
However, I do believe the RS900 is the best choice from a boat point of view. I've always believed that the best boat would be something designed from the bottom up for an average girl pairing. If I was a girl, I wouldn't want a cut and shut of a boys boat, I'd want my own boat, tailored for me. I think the girls deserve this. I sailed the 29erXX at it's first unofficial worlds (2006). It was a pretty weak after thought to just add a bigger rig. I thought the 29er would make a better boat for girls than the XX. Frank Bethwaite talks lots about weight and leverage and righting moment to define skiffs, yet Julian, rather than taking this knowledge to scale the hugely successful 49er, decided to just chuck a bigger rig on the 29er. In the same way I think the Mackay boat is limited as it's a cut and shut job. Skiffs are all about weight to righting force to power ratios (and hull shapes without a speed hump). Putting a smaller rig on the 49er hull with smaller sailors makes the hull much too heavy as a skiff. So that leaves the designed for purpose boats (Aura, Rebel and Hartley). I think the 900 is the best here; having spent a few years in a 49er, wings are the most amazing things and I think make the boat so much more dynamic than racks. The Aura does look class, although I've only seen photos. The dark horse is the cherub, which I know nothing about as it sounds like the boat trailed won't be too much like a cherub. This is in a difficult position as it doesn't have a recognised builder. I can't see ISAF going for anything which isn't one design.
Edited by mozzy - 16 Feb 12 at 3:05pm |
|
JimC
Really should get out more Joined: 17 May 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 6648 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 16 Feb 12 at 4:51pm |
I can state categorically the Arup Skiff isn't a Cherub and has no significant involvement with the Cherub Association. Had that from the horses mouth. It won't have a Cherub logo on the sail and while it probably won't be a mile away from the Cherub restrictions I gain the impression that's not a major concern. I'd guess that it would be wise to keep close to the Cherub restrictions, because that way you have more devlopemnt behind you than any of the other boats.
As far as builders are concerned I was fairly gobsmacked to see a company the size and status of Arup getting involved in something as trivial as a racing dinghy. I suspect in practice a number of the builders involved will be prepared to build whatever wins: MacKay will no doubt be building the 29erXX and Ovington the MacKay boat for instance... |
|
Hector
Really should get out more Joined: 10 May 04 Location: Otley, Yorkshire Online Status: Offline Posts: 750 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 16 Feb 12 at 8:42pm |
The 900 does look great.
I've also heard that a lot of the girls who've tried one love the FX. Watching that 900 video, the tacks and gybes looked awkward - at least compared to a well sailed 49er. Could be the skill level / learning curve, but it was noticeable that the crew had to grovel around to get under the boom - whereas in a 49er you walk / run - no grovelling. So, I'm wondering if the small rig 49er will be the most popular with the people who matter - the competitors - not least because it's may turn out to be the most user friendly?
|
|
Keith
29er 661 (with my daughters / nephew) 49er 688 (with Phil P) RS200 968 Vortex (occasionally) Laser 2049XX |
|
themeaningoflife
Far too distracted from work Joined: 06 May 11 Location: Essex/ Kent Online Status: Offline Posts: 212 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 17 Feb 12 at 9:16am |
The crew in the upwind video (Steffi Orton) was sailing it for the first time AFAIK, and with a different helm to normal. I know that when I had my first go crewing a 49er I was nowhere near that standard in tacks!
|
|
Hector
Really should get out more Joined: 10 May 04 Location: Otley, Yorkshire Online Status: Offline Posts: 750 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 17 Feb 12 at 12:37pm |
Ok I can see that it may be just a learning curve thing, but there doesn't look to be much space and if a trim & fit young lady like Steffi can't do it easily then who can?
I guess I'm just saying that how the boat looks and sails in a straight line doesn't necessarily make it the best to sail and it could be that despite the straight line feel, good looks etc of some of the contenders, the young ladies who eventually sail in all the trial boats MIGHT find the 49er hull the best sailing experience overall.
|
|
Keith
29er 661 (with my daughters / nephew) 49er 688 (with Phil P) RS200 968 Vortex (occasionally) Laser 2049XX |
|
rogue
Really should get out more Joined: 04 Dec 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 978 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 17 Feb 12 at 1:08pm |
here's the mackay boat, from an onlookers perspective I think the RS900 looks far better more athletic and more media friendly.
FWIW- I just hope the boat the athletes want is the one that gets selected. |
|
BBSCFaithfull
Really should get out more Joined: 06 Dec 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1251 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 17 Feb 12 at 2:34pm |
Once again missing the point I think. it has already been mentioned that ISAF will be thinking more about distribution and ease of access. Most countries have a good stream of Used and New 9ers. From the video the FX looks balanced and well powered even in the lesser breeze. Easy Choice, the 49er is an epic Boat so easy choice in my opinion.
Has anyone seen the new pictures of the Aura? Looks really well done and put together fantastically. Would be interesting to see a boat test.
|
|
Greatfully Sponsored By
www.allgoodfun.com Int 14 GBR 1503!! |
|
furtive
Posting king Joined: 30 Mar 05 Online Status: Offline Posts: 188 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 17 Feb 12 at 3:28pm |
The chopped 49er looks like a bit of a barge with 2 small-ish girls on board (not quite as bad as a Laser 4.7 but heading in that direction). Although shared spares etc is an obvious plus I hope they go for something that has actually been designed for the job.
Any more news of the Arup skiff beyond "it's not the boat in the picture"??
|
|
Stevie_GTI
Posting king Joined: 21 Oct 08 Online Status: Offline Posts: 134 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 17 Feb 12 at 5:27pm |
When I first saw the 900, I did think the boom looked a little bit low. However after sailing it probably as much as anyone else I havent even noticed the boom through any tacks or gybes. None of the sailors AFAIK have mentioned boom height issues either |
|
Jack Sparrow
Really should get out more Joined: 08 Feb 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 2965 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 17 Feb 12 at 5:59pm |
Difficult to tell without sailing it but the main sail on the Mackay FX looks a bit of a barn door. That could be interesting tacking in some wind! Good Luck with that girls.
|
|
Post Reply | Page <1 45678 16> |
Forum Jump | Forum Permissions You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot create polls in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum |