New ZIM ILCA's

[RobbieB]

Laser sailors however deserve better than Chinese crap 

At least there are options now.  No one HAS to buy a ZIM but it's an option. Based on what I'm hearing, (and seeing locally) about new ILCA boats being purchased I'd say the abortion has managed to resurrect itself into a fairly healthy baby...

 

[Champlain Sailor]

There are at least 2 other threads, each with thousands of posts, full of opinions on the Laser Class, LPE, and ILCA.   Do  we really need a 3rd?

 

[RobbieB]

There are at least 2 other threads, each with thousands of posts, full of opinions on the Laser Class, LPE, and ILCA.   Do  we really need a 3rd?

Is there a ZIM specific ILCA thread?  If I was aware of one I would not have started this one.  I did it because this particular ILCA builder seems to have the biggest push back/controversy associated with it.  My personal opinion is this is mainly driven by the US/China tensions.  I mean, hey folks!  All those iphones, (and 75% of all other electronic gadgets) you love so much also came from China.  

 

[Board skiff]

...this particular ILCA builder seems to have the biggest push back/controversy associated with it.  My personal opinion is this is mainly driven by the US/China tensions.  I mean, hey folks! 

That and the fact they screw fittings on backward, use poorly selected ropes, have a 10% leak rate and don’t include a working out haul.  

 

[tillerman]

There are at least 2 other threads, each with thousands of posts, full of opinions on the Laser Class, LPE, and ILCA.   Do  we really need a 3rd?

We already have
Lasers - Applying a Blow Torch
ILCA gives LPE the boot
Absolutely positively ILCA
Absolutely positively Laser

All of the above already exist.
Do we also need threads for|
New Zou Inter Marine ILCAs
New Zim ILCAs
New PSA ILCAs
New PSJ ILCAs
New Ovington ILCAs
New Devoti ILCAs
New Nautivela ILCAs
New Element 6 Evolution ILCAs
New Rio tecna ILCAs?

 

[Wess]

We already have
Lasers - Applying a Blow Torch
ILCA gives LPE the boot
Absolutely positively ILCA
Absolutely positively Laser

All of the above already exist.
Do we also need threads for|
New Zim ILCAs
New PSA ILCAs
New PSJ ILCAs
New Ovington ILCAs
New Devoti ILCAs
New Nautivela ILCAs
New Element 6 Evolution ILCAs
New Rio tecna ILCAs?

Lemmings gotta promote the brand.

 

[RobbieB]

That and the fact they screw fittings on backward, use poorly selected ropes, have a 10% leak rate and don’t include a working out haul.  

All true on at least the 10 boats delivered to Charleston- 1 out of 10 has/had a leak = 10%.  Control lines were too thick/stiff.  And a missing outhaul control related block on all boats.

I haven't heard about any having backward fittings, (think that was the poorly edited promo pics).

Given the apparent interest and historic nature of what has gone down I think a thread for each make/build of boat is not a bad idea.  However, I think they need to be posted by honest 1st person experiences. 

 

[RobbieB]

We already have
Lasers - Applying a Blow Torch - sour grapes people
ILCA gives LPE the boot - Started off as a good discussion and pontification thread but has run it's course cause it's over.
Absolutely positively ILCA - kind repeats most of what ends up in "the boot" thread
Absolutely positively Laser - Dreamer thread

All of the above already exist. - Should be scrapped for 2 threads- 1)- ILCA class thread and 2)- Laser class dead thread- 
Do we also need threads for - I think yes for at least initial shipments/comparisons, (however, PSA IS a know entity so perhaps not them?)
New Zim ILCAs
New PSA ILCAs
New PSJ ILCAs
New Ovington ILCAs
New Devoti ILCAs
New Nautivela ILCAs
New Element 6 Evolution ILCAs
New Rio tecna ILCAs?

Hell I must have stopped counting.  Didn't realize we're up to 8 builders.  If will be great for the class if this is a sustainable number.

 

[Xeon]

If someone wants to start a thread , that’s good as that forums are about.

If someone doesn’t like it , don’t post . If enough people do this it dies. 
 

Live and let live 

 

[LFL]

However, I think they need to be posted by honest 1st person experiences. 

Gonna take forEVER to reach 100+ pages in this thread with that limitation... 

 

[Gouvernail]

I know absolutely nothing about the quality or durability of any Laser built since 2000. 

 

[Gouvernail]

Does the answer above help with the page count??!!!

 

[Gouvernail]

Quit looking down my shirt while I type

 

[RobbieB]

I know absolutely nothing about the quality or durability of any Laser built since 2000. 

Outside of PSA boats, (which, outside of price, all news has been positive) I don't think anyone really knows as well.  I'm not after page count.  I'm looking for accurate, quality information.  Even though we have 10 new ZIM's sold in D12 and 1st blush information we'll probably need a few months of good active sailing on these hulls to see how they are.  Again, I go back to this being the acid test on the 2 new ICLA builder inspectors the class has hired for QC.  Looking at the job descriptions these folks didn't come cheap.  As an ILCA advocate I'm hanging my hopes on this being the improvement to the class it's been advertised to be!

 

[WCB]

Outside of PSA boats, (which, outside of price, all news has been positive) I don't think anyone really knows as well.  I'm not after page count.  I'm looking for accurate, quality information.  Even though we have 10 new ZIM's sold in D12 and 1st blush information we'll probably need a few months of good active sailing on these hulls to see how they are.  Again, I go back to this being the acid test on the 2 new ICLA builder inspectors the class has hired for QC.  Looking at the job descriptions these folks didn't come cheap.  As an ILCA advocate I'm hanging my hopes on this being the improvement to the class it's been advertised to be!

Robbie,

First of all congrats on the VXOne regatta.  It looks like you got the top prize.

Second, have you reached out to Zim to let them know what you think?  All of us should be of the frame of mind to help a boat company to improve its product as it benefits all of us.  Maybe it's already been imparted to them but constructive criticism from customers or people with first hand knowledge of the issues would have to help.

 

[torrid]

Charleston area ZIM dealer High and Dry Boatworks took delivery of 10 ZIM ILCA's in late March.  ALL are sold with the next delivery coming in June.  

After seeing the boats this weekend and talking to the dealer both of us agree these boats are just like all the older boats that are ILCA legal.  

It was funny for me as I stood there looking at the boats and thinking, "Wow.  There's nothing different, (outside of the gelcoat finished deck to hull connection) and while it was a bit anti-climatic I'm pretty sure that's the point.  If it's a true OD class it SHOULD BE anti-climatic!  

$7,300.00 appears to be a "Basic" race ready rig, but nothing fancy.  No carbon bits and some of the rigging lines are thicker than what's "preferred, (just like in the good'ole LPE days).  It also looks like one of the outhaul package blocks was missing from every boat which is obviously a learning curve thing from the factory folks.

On boat has reported a leak which is currently being problem solved by the dealer but it's looking like a bailer related issue.  I didn't ask if they installed the "new screwless" auto-bailer I've heard about.

Kids have been sailing 4 of these rigged as 4.7's and outside of the leaky one everyone seems very happy. 

So there's the report folks.

Is $7300 much of a savings compared to the other builders?

 

[tillerman]

Is $7300 much of a savings compared to the other builders?

West Coast Sailing are offering the basic Ovington ILCA for $7,295.
https://westcoastsailing.net/ovington-ilca-sailboat/
 

 

[WCB]

West Coast Sailing are offering the basic Ovington ILCA for $7,295.
https://westcoastsailing.net/ovington-ilca-sailboat/
 

I'm tempted by the Ovington ILCA with the carbon package, no prep.  I like working on my own boat anyways so doing the prep including adding sail numbers is hardly an issue.  That one is $7,995.  If I sell my UFO and my 2009 Laser then I'd do this I think.  Not sure though...my 2009 is just fine.

Luckily we have one or two Ovingtons coming to our fleet in a couple of weeks so I'll get to look them over.

 

[RobbieB]

Is $7300 much of a savings compared to the other builders?

I was surprised to see the "basic" Ovi price of $7,300+.  Looks like the competition from multiple builders brought the early "have it now" price of $9,000+ down a bit.  

Hmmm....I'm tempted to "poke the bear" on this one, but will let it sit.

 

[RobbieB]

I'm tempted by the Ovington ILCA with the carbon package, no prep.  I like working on my own boat anyways so doing the prep including adding sail numbers is hardly an issue.  That one is $7,995.  If I sell my UFO and my 2009 Laser then I'd do this I think.  Not sure though...my 2009 is just fine.

Luckily we have one or two Ovingtons coming to our fleet in a couple of weeks so I'll get to look them over.

Defiantly let us know, (or just let me know ;-) ).