Fulcrum Speedworks Rocket
- Thread starter Will S
- Start date
Champlain Sailor
Member
When I bought my UFO from Fulcrum Speedworks, I knew that the dolly that they supplied (identical in concept if not identical in form) to the Rocket dolly would not work for my location. We have a rocky shoreline and despite my continual efforts to remove larger rocks, there is a continual need for me to haul it up and over rough terrain. So I contacted Dave and Dynamic and had them substitute a heavy-duty Dynamic dolly at extra cost. It is really well built, but it's big (big beach wheels), heavy, and pricey. However, it lets me use my boat on the shore in front of my house. I've used UFOs at other locations that enjoy firm sand beaches or paved ramps and the dolly supplied with the boat is terrific, it works perfectly. It is much easier to store ashore when you head out and to take with you when travelling. Light and compact. Its a great product for many applications, not the right one for others.
Dave Clark
Anarchist
Also your boat looks totally badass on that dolly. It makes me genuinely jealous whenever I see it. Our dollies endeavor to define the barest of bare bones requirements for the sake of affordability. So they have a functional elegance somewhat akin to a bayonet or a wrench. However, there's no question there are countless tranches of quality to be explored higher up the spectrum.
DRC
craigiri
Super Anarchist
The single most important spec for a cheap or included dolly is that it can't make it easy to fuck up the boat (drop it off one end, etc.) with.
Since all 3 of my wheeled things right now were/are homemade or included, I have learned the hard way - or, more accurately, never learned. A simply strap solves the problem(s) but I am often too lazy and think "those rubber things can't slip on that hull".
One of mine is a PVC model (but no handle, so I'd call these a cart as opposed to the scitech type). It's very heavy duty but also heavy in weight (doesn't matter much because I can life with one hand and throw in the trunk). I think it's the wheels (they are mid-sized very nice looking tires and wheels).
All that said, Customer C would never complain if Boat Builder F bought handled dollies at wholesale and then subtracted the cost of theirs and had a "add $300 for scitech dolly" or whatever.
Customer C can also say there is fun is looking around for used ones - quite a few of which exist and updates and modifications on such would be easy. It would seem the super-lightweight road-ready alum trailers might be a solution for some too - for local short hauls and launching - gotta look at what's around (I remember some super-light ones which were road rated - but for short hauls).
Since all 3 of my wheeled things right now were/are homemade or included, I have learned the hard way - or, more accurately, never learned. A simply strap solves the problem(s) but I am often too lazy and think "those rubber things can't slip on that hull".
One of mine is a PVC model (but no handle, so I'd call these a cart as opposed to the scitech type). It's very heavy duty but also heavy in weight (doesn't matter much because I can life with one hand and throw in the trunk). I think it's the wheels (they are mid-sized very nice looking tires and wheels).
All that said, Customer C would never complain if Boat Builder F bought handled dollies at wholesale and then subtracted the cost of theirs and had a "add $300 for scitech dolly" or whatever.
Customer C can also say there is fun is looking around for used ones - quite a few of which exist and updates and modifications on such would be easy. It would seem the super-lightweight road-ready alum trailers might be a solution for some too - for local short hauls and launching - gotta look at what's around (I remember some super-light ones which were road rated - but for short hauls).
martin 'hoff
Super Anarchist
Fancy dolly builder wouldn't let that happen. Their subsistence is based on protecting their resellers and that means protecting retail pricing.
Rbrower
New member
Do any of the existing Rocket owners have updates on their likes/dislikes of the Rocket? Sailing experiences, etc.? I am getting very close to ordering a Rocket...just reaching out for some last minute opinions! Thanks!
xonk1
Anarchist
Clearly designed to do everything BETTER than the venerable Sunfish. If you like the Sunfish, you'll like the Rocket BETTER. If you are not crazy about the Sunfish, stop the process. Happy Sailing!
GRW
New member
My first sail ever was 3 adults on a Sunfish on Lake Seneca. The boat easily handled the weight as it was a windy day. I was hooked by the sport immediately. I have been a sailer now for 45 years. I am now 70 years old and own a Hobie Adventure Island. I love it, but only take it out if the winds are greater than 12 miles an hour. At 20mph it is a blast. At 10 miles per hour or lower, it is very boring. That fact was not mentioned in the above posts
My first boat was a Chrysler Mutineer. What a great dinghy. I have had 6 other boats, none over 26 feet. I now live in florida on a large lake 8 miles from the gulf. A week ago I started looking for a small lightweight dinghy to use in lower wind conditions. I narrowed my choices down to the RS Neo (I’m 175 pounds and a reasonably fit 70 year old).
I also have grandchildren that live ten minutes away. The Rocket seems like a better choice for family sails but still provide a good amount of excitement.
I would appreciate additional first hand reviews from the new owners so that I can make a more informed decision. Any feedback on pros and cons of my two choices would also be appreciated
GW
My first boat was a Chrysler Mutineer. What a great dinghy. I have had 6 other boats, none over 26 feet. I now live in florida on a large lake 8 miles from the gulf. A week ago I started looking for a small lightweight dinghy to use in lower wind conditions. I narrowed my choices down to the RS Neo (I’m 175 pounds and a reasonably fit 70 year old).
I also have grandchildren that live ten minutes away. The Rocket seems like a better choice for family sails but still provide a good amount of excitement.
I would appreciate additional first hand reviews from the new owners so that I can make a more informed decision. Any feedback on pros and cons of my two choices would also be appreciated
GW
GRW
New member
One additional consideration:
I do sail solo 99% of the time, that’s why the rs neo was first choice until I read this thread..
GW
I do sail solo 99% of the time, that’s why the rs neo was first choice until I read this thread..
GW
fastyacht
Super Anarchist
- 12,928
- 2,600
Rocket has significantly more beam than a sunfish. More stability. Finer lines fwd. Better upwind. Also foils are MUCH improved over the slabs of wood approach. That makes a boat much better sailing espevially in light wind.
Having sailed the Phantom which was a better boat than sunfish, the rocket is 50+ lbs lighter.
Having sailed the Phantom which was a better boat than sunfish, the rocket is 50+ lbs lighter.
robalex117
Super Anarchist
Lots of likes. Nothing to complain about sailing. My only dislike is I launch from a dock which is about 14" off the water and when I roll the boat in, (Have a roller mounted for ease of launch and retrieval works great.) the transom goes under water and I end up with a cockpit full of water.
Last edited by a moderator:
Bill5
Right now
robalex117
Super Anarchist
Yes we do do that some times. Dock is setup with two rollers on either side so depending on the wind we can launch either way. But in general it is easiest to launch with bow facing the wind as you would imagine.
Steve Clark
Super Anarchist
The easiest way to deal with a tub of water is to tip the boat on its side. It floats high enough that the water will pour out.
So : once it is afloat, grab the gaff and roll it on its side. Maybe put the board in first decause everything in the cockpit if falling out with the water. Stand she back up and commence yachting.
SHC
So : once it is afloat, grab the gaff and roll it on its side. Maybe put the board in first decause everything in the cockpit if falling out with the water. Stand she back up and commence yachting.
SHC
craigiri
Super Anarchist
I got the short tour yesterday as I was staying in Bristol for a couple days - biked over to the shop and Dave and Kirk showed me a rocket and answered all of my questions.
Clean looking boat - I lifted one end (I'm 67) and Kirk the other - easy!
Cockpit is generous. Certainly nothing like it in the price/weight range.
Ask the shop, of course, but it seems anyone who was waiting for the rowing option can feel fine placing an order now. They are not content with just putting some oarlocks in...this will be a much better rowing package than one might expect. The rowing thing will be, IMHO, a great differential between this and similar boats and likely add to the resale value down the road - because it is much more than you could "home brew".
The whole "trailer/car-top) is an ongoing topic for many - this being different than former because the weight puts it easily in the cap-top (roof rack capacity). It's really more a matter of proper setup roof racks for long distance, etc.
One can probably find all kinds of old threads on the subject- like at 80 mph we need to think about the lifting forces and other variables. Maybe one of you engineers will work that out. It might be that an air dam above the car windshield helps.
Noise can be an issue with car-topping (racks, tie-downs, etc.) - sometimes you just have to experiment to get the best system. There are some low-priced Kayak foam wedges and rack fittings which might be modified. A "bunk" setup might be good also, as you could have a rack that was 10 feet long or so instead of just the 4 feet between the roof rack rails.
Boat has a cockpit bailing thingy - which I hadn't known about. (like a laser?)
Clean looking boat - I lifted one end (I'm 67) and Kirk the other - easy!
Cockpit is generous. Certainly nothing like it in the price/weight range.
Ask the shop, of course, but it seems anyone who was waiting for the rowing option can feel fine placing an order now. They are not content with just putting some oarlocks in...this will be a much better rowing package than one might expect. The rowing thing will be, IMHO, a great differential between this and similar boats and likely add to the resale value down the road - because it is much more than you could "home brew".
The whole "trailer/car-top) is an ongoing topic for many - this being different than former because the weight puts it easily in the cap-top (roof rack capacity). It's really more a matter of proper setup roof racks for long distance, etc.
One can probably find all kinds of old threads on the subject- like at 80 mph we need to think about the lifting forces and other variables. Maybe one of you engineers will work that out. It might be that an air dam above the car windshield helps.
Noise can be an issue with car-topping (racks, tie-downs, etc.) - sometimes you just have to experiment to get the best system. There are some low-priced Kayak foam wedges and rack fittings which might be modified. A "bunk" setup might be good also, as you could have a rack that was 10 feet long or so instead of just the 4 feet between the roof rack rails.
Boat has a cockpit bailing thingy - which I hadn't known about. (like a laser?)
WillyT123
Member
- 128
- 53
I have a degree in aerospace engineering. You're overthinking this.
The key to secure car-topping, or trailering for that matter, is to ratchet that bitch down gudentoit, then pluck the straps a couple times (we wanna hear something like a nice middle-A note with a short duration). Grab the boat and try to shake it around, it shouldn't shift around at all. If you're shaking hard enough, the car or trailer will move on its suspension a little. Next, and this is the most important step, loudly proclaim "Yeeaahh, that's not goin' anywhere!" Lastly, you wanna give the boat a nice firm open handed slap, as if to say "Job well done!"
craigiri
Super Anarchist
I was a rigger of heavy stuff for many years - and have moved many a mattress and boat without incident.
To me there are a few issues - 1st, having a 14 foot boat just held at 4 feet (rack spacing) could leave too much overhang and make the boat flex? I don't know these things.
Second, which you seem to answer, is the lifting force - of the hull right side up at 100mpg (75 or 80 mph plus wind which could be blowing). Is that negligible (the air between the roof and the boat)??
Third is NEW BOAT. That means extra special to not mark the hull. That differs from old and used boats.
So, yes, might be over-thinking but 1100 miles is longer than I've done myself. I did send my car on a single car trailer to Florida with a wind rider 10 and floats strapped to the racks - no problem at all.
Noise is important too - b/c the wifey will yap (and for good reason) if the frequency is not pleasing. I can usually fix that easily enough - as long as flat straps are not anywhere they can flutter.
I assume your take is no much lift force and the hull being stiff enough that having 5 or 6 feet of it sticking out w/no support (in front) is no biggie?
craigiri
Super Anarchist
FYI, I made the choices - a Rocket it is. Hopefully I will be sailing it in Sarasota by the end of this Year.
If anyone in SW Fl needs a demo or eyeballs on after that, send me a PM (when you see the pics posted in this thread of me in FL).
If anyone in SW Fl needs a demo or eyeballs on after that, send me a PM (when you see the pics posted in this thread of me in FL).
sailwriter
Anarchist
Put at least one twist to each strap where it is exposed to the highway speed wind. Truckers do this to keep the straps from 'luffing' with that annoying noise.
