Building the bridge from Optimist to Laser and beyond – with Byte C1

by Rob Kothe on 1 Jan 2015 Performance Sailcraft Australia a (PSA), the oldest of the licensed Laser builders, having started building them in the mid 1970's, so they know a thing or two about single handed dinghy sailing.

Chris Caldecoat, PSA General Manager and his team have been busy fine tuning a range of boats designed to increase junior participation levels.

Caldecoat said 'We have been concerned for a long time about the very large numbers of young sailors who enthusiastically sail the Optimist class but then leave the sport, many of them because there is too big a gap up to the next boat for many of them. As parents we have watched many of our children’s peers drop out of the sport we love after junior sailing because it was too hard.

‘The entry point Laser 4.7 has a hull suited to an 80kg sailor, it’s a big hull and handling characteristics for a lightweight sailor are challenging, particularly downwind where the smaller sailors cannot sail the boat dynamically.

‘Our sport cannot afford to lose them, many of them drop out discouraged, never getting to the Laser Radial or full rig Laser and then onto to other boats.

‘We don’t expect children to ride adult bikes when they can’t touch the ground, so why do we expect them to sail adult boats when they can’t control as they should. We didn’t want this for our children so set about trying to develop a boat that addresses this problem.

‘We need a lightweight boat to enable younger sailors the chance to develop their skills in a boat that is fun, safe and manageable.

‘Knowing we need a lighter and smaller single handed dingy, we found and acquired the Byte CII. It has proven perfect for sailors in the 45-70kg range. It performs beautifully in light conditions, routinely enabling racing in conditions of less than 5 knots and the best downwind technique is very much akin to Laser Radial and Standard sailing, but we knew there was even more potential to modify the sail plan for even lighter sailors.

‘So we have been able to develop the Byte CI, with a smaller sail plan, with a full year of prototype development, testing and re testing resulting in what we believe will become the new benchmark boat for lighter sailors.

‘Now with the existing proven lightweight hull, a new bottom mast section and a new smaller sail, we have developed the perfect boat for the 35-55kg sailors, the Byte C1, w with a carbon fibre rig, Mylar sail and fantastic build quality, which ensures great resale value, it’s a very cost effective boat.’

In summary the C1 is for Optimist graduates, it’s fun, affordable, durable and cool!

The upgrade path is clear, onto the Byte CII, an international ISAF class with national and international championships, used at the Youth Olympic Games as a foundation boat for future Olympians! Then for the larger sailors on the Laser.

Sailed around the world and built by seven of the leading dinghy manufacturers around the globe, this well-established global builder network and international class status of the Byte CII also offers the ability to enter the class cheaply with a second hand Byte CII and new rig.

New CI owners will also have the benefit of knowing they can change the bottom section and sail to the CII as they grow. Put simply the Byte class is set for great things!

Performance Sailcraft Australia (Australia and NZ + all regions not covered by other builders)
Address:
2 Catamaran Road,
Fountaindale,
NSW 2258,
Australia
Tel:(612) 4389 1088
Fax:(612)4389 1085
Email: info@bytecii.com
Web: http://www.bytecii.com/index.cfm

China
Zou Inter Marine Co.,ltd
Address:
Bei long kou, Sha zi kou,Lao shan Dist,Qingdao.
China, 266102
Telephone:+86 532-8882 8290
Fax: +86 532-8882 8291
Email: penny.ma@zouintermarine.com
Web: www.zouintermarine.com

Europe
Nautivela
Address:
Via Gardone 8, Milano,
Italy
Tel:+39 02 55212116
Fax:+39 02 55212116
Email:info@nautivela.com
Web: www.nautivela.com

Singapore
XTREME SAILING
Address:
National Sailing Centre,
1500 East Coast Parkway,
Singapore
Telephone: + 65 6441 4701
Fax: 65 6441 4731
Email: tim@xtremesailing.com
Web:www.xtremesailing.com

USA
Zim Sailing
Address:
84 Cutler Street Unit 2
Warren, Rhode Island 02885
USA
Tel: 401-237-6117
Fax: 401-236-1361
Email: info@zimsailing.com
Web: http://www.zimsailing.com

UK and Ireland
Hartleyboats.com
Hartley Boats Limited
Parcel Terrace,
Derby
Derbyshire
DE1 1LY
Tel: 01332 369751
Fax:01332 290328

Email:sales@hartleyboats.comTo find out more about the boat and our demonstration program please email us at: info@psasailing.com.au

Add link to pdf download http://www.bytecii.com/wp-