Dart 15 righting after capsize + more newbie questions! [Chr

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John Alani replied:

Bob,

IF you'd read my post properly you'd have seen that my boat is plain old style GRP and I won the Nationals. No question of an arms race or stisfaction.

Carbon reinforced hulls ARE stiffer than standard GRP, but what will that gain you in a typical race? Maybe a few seconds? The equivalent of one blown tack? Sail well and you'll win.

As for the spec of the latest Stealth, it HAS become more refined, but then so have many other classes (including the Spitfire) since inception. However many of the Stealth features are repeated in the newer dinghy and cat classes throughout the world. It's just the technology becoming cheaper and filtering down from the Grand Prix classes. All foam sandwich boats use directional reinforcing or they'd quickly fall apart (unless they're heavily overbuilt). I fail to see what is exotic about canted hulls, or a snuffer, or a self-tacking jib? At the end of the day the prices quoted against the build spec are amazing when you consider that a Spitfire or similar will set you back almost ?10k and yet here we have a STRONGER boat with 'exotic' materials (your words) for almost 20% less initial layout! I fail to see the concern or what is bad about it?

I notice you didn't address my queries on your yardstick for defining 'better' or using 'bigger' as a justification for one builder over another. An elephant is bigger than a mouse, but does that make it 'better'?

It is true that the sailing world encompasses development classes and OD's, but 'polarized' - I don't think so. Many helms and crews happily make the transition between these classes. Do you mean there are diehards in each camp? Then yes, there always has been. I'm not saying that Formula is 'better' than OD. Nor am I saying the opposite. They're just different approaches. You pays your money and takes your choice. I just choose to pay it to the person or company that gives me the best deal rather than HAVING to pay it to One Particular Manufacturer.

Also it's not the person who spends the most who wins in Formula, it's the person who spends appropriately, who UNDERSTANDS his boat and how to make it fast, and SAILS IT WELL. In this repect, just like the OD classes, it's talent that will come out on top in the end.

Happy sailing to all.

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Bob replied:

Let's continue the debate in the bar at the Grafham Cat Open
Regards
Bob

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nick replied:

You will really enjoy the boat. You have already outlined the case for buying one . I have only had one for a season but had a lot of fun. I sail two up 9 year old crew . and feel safe in most conditions. My only grip about the boat is lack or preformance in the light stuff, hence my spini campain. however this site provides almost all the answers very willingly .You should get one

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Chris replied:

Did Mr. Evans give any clues as to what he thought of the boat and maybe what his review would be including? I love hearing all these positive aspects, but am after those negative ones to complete a rounded view. It's hard to convince myself there can only be so few (minor) negatives, which in my book are:
- lack of spinnaker (I?d probably not use one for a few seasons anyway)
- older boat design (i know, not really a problem! Buy some new sails (how much is a new set??) and plaster some bright graphics onto the hull!)
- not as rock solid as something like the Dart 16 (anyone REALLY damaged a Sprint through beaching before?)
- I need to convince my man at Hill Head to let me have a Catamaran parking slot!!


I think a magazine feature about spinnakers on the Sprint 15 would be very interesting and get a big response from the readers. It must have passed through the minds of most owners at some point and would make a great conversation topic over a few beers!

Even if they are not class legal, it is something new and interesting, and from past experience (reading other mags), development projects catch people's attention. Most people won't ever touch their boats except for sailing, but it gives the thought, "I COULD...". Articles on general boat maintenance, different ideas on how to rig your righting lines, big wheel trolleys and similar forum topics are very interesting to me and I think it would be great to make these useful pages available to the wider mass of members.

Sorry if you already publish any of the forum topics in your mag, (I've never read one!), but if you don't - forum's are rarely used by those less familiar with the internet and as such are an under used resource.

Thanks again for your replies and for the generous offers from people offering to show off their boats to me!

Chris.

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John Alani replied:

Bob

I'd like nothing more than to have a discussion with you about the merits of OD v Formula but I'll be washing my hair then

Seriously though, I'll be at Datchet that weekend for an F16 and FX1 open meeting - sorry! Hope you all have a blast and we'll meet another time.

Regards

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Bob replied:

Hi John
Datchet is without water and is cancelling it's Open Meetings. Grafham has agreed to run several including the Oppies and the RS meeting. My bet is that you will be coming to Grafham or making other arrangements. You need to check with Datchet or your events secretary.
Regards
Bob

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John Alani replied:

Thanks for the heads up Bob. Datchet is down to the second level, but they are still able to hold meetings and so our one is on.

Catch up with you later........

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AndrewHannah replied:

Come on Mr Alani, why not drop your Datchet plans and borrow a Sprint 15 from one of your Leigh Sailing Club members, and come to Grafham? You could then show us all how easy it is to catch Bob up!!!!!!!!!!!

Andrew.

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John Alani replied:

Andrew - you know full well that was not what was intended. However, I'd love to have a go at some stage - just not that weekend as the F16 v FX1 meeting has been on the cards for some time.

Happy sailing to all.

PS - It's John (my Dad is Mr Alani)

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Gordon replied:

John, you fight your corner well, and I think we can all respect your views whilst still holding a different view point. Have a good race at Datchet, but take the abseiling gear, the water level is very low.

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Bob replied:

Yes - it's not good for the wind either. A bit like sailing at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. The Formula 16s would be better off asking for a separate start at the Grafham Cat Open, which fortuitously is the same weekend.