Solo class get technical

by Gerald New on 4 Apr 2009
Six Solos graced the RYA Volvo Dinghy show held at Alexandra Palace over the weekend of 7 and 8 March this year. This 50 year old Jack Holt design continues push the boundaries, with 120 boats sold last year and some of the new boats showing a remarkable amount of bits of string for such a simple original design.

The swish new Solo stand had two boats on display, leaving plenty of space for the many interested visitors. Star of the stand was Gordon Barclay's new Gosling Solo, Zimmer Scimmer. Gordon has put all his years of accumulated knowledge of the class into the new build. This is Solo number seven for Gordon and this showed in the very personal fit-out.

Gordon commented,

'There was fantastic interest in the building material ply foam ply. I see this as a material where the builder over frames can build a boat which has most of the perceived advantages of moulded FRP, but also offers a very hard outer surface that in time, can be easily refurbished by the amateur owner with traditional fine surface filler and paint.'

The hull was built by Kevin Gosling from two 1.5mm ply skins with 9mm closed cell foam in the sandwich. This results in an extremely stiff and tough hull, with similar characteristics to the FRP hulls. Fitting out is completed with a Wavelength mast and a Rooster sail, An eclectic mix that demonstrates Gordon's love of the freedom to customise and finish his boats and the quality of the original Jack Holt design.

'I am looking forward to seeing how it feels on the water, but I am mighty satisfied at the moment.'

Other versions of the Solo were at the show, including versions from Winder, Boon, Speed and JJ Boats. Photographs of the different Solos and equipment can be found here and more on the Solo website.

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Class website - http://www.solosailing.org/