[Chris 249]

Can I differ on the point of it being "classically attractive"?

If we take a Dragon, classic 8 metre, 30 square metre, Flying 15 or Shields as an example of "classically attractive", then there is little in this high-sided, short-ended, destroyer-bowed, stumpy-keeled boat that fits the bill (to my eyes).

Hell, it's shorter-ended and higher than something like an International 110 or Squib, which are not known as stunners.

I know taste is personal and I may be out of step, but if a classic looker was needed why not give it some sheer and longer ends? Love Phil's work normally, though. It does look OK from leeward.

[European Bloke]

How well does it go to windward with that keel? Most boats seem to have a short keel or a narrow keel, rather than a short narrow one.

[Presuming Ed]

When I saw it at the LBS, I didn't think it looked too bad, myself. OK, so it's not 6 or something like that, but given that he has given it a LWL longer than 75% of LOA, it's not too surprising. The stumpy keel does look a bit short, but the guys on the RS stand were saying that windward performance is good. Also, shallow draft means that you can sail inside Chichester harbour with fewer worries.

[Presuming Ed]

Quote

How does the spin work form the forward compartment, I've not seen this before. Thanks.

It's a spinnaker chute that exits in front of the forestay. Also seen on some 505s, the late and unlamented Boss and a few other dinghies. Means that you never have to haul the kite around the forestay when dropping. The downside (on things like five-ohs) is that it's quite hard to stop some water going down the chute, and therefore the kite tends to get wet.

[Presuming Ed]

Teaky, on Feb 12 2004, 02:37 PM, said:

Presuming Ed, you'd still be facked if you got the tides wrong anywhere near Cobnor or Del Quay.

Probably, yes. Even more likely if I knew where they were. :) (Showning my ignorance here)

Teaky said:

It's an Assy launched leward of the jib via a hally that sleaves through the sail. That hally is effectivly one loop and is also used to haul the little facker back into the sock (bow) when dousing. The tack is permemant. It's gybed in the same way as a standard headsail.

They work well, very easy to hoist and douse, gotta work the angles though as she's tacked at the bow.

Have to disagree here - the kite is actually symmetrical, using a Merlin Rocket-esque twin pole system. (At least, that's what they had at LBS). They have actually realised that an assy on a narrow, heavy (1 ton) boat that will, in general, be sailing in strongly tidal waters doesn't make much sense.

[European Bloke]

The dragons launch a symmetrical kite out of a chute like this. They have a sliding hatch cover that you open and shut on the hoist/drop. If you leave the door open too long you get a lot of water in the boat. If you forget to open the door on the drop you sail through the kite. Works well.