Steam Flyer
Sophisticated Yet Humble
"I enjoy the sensation of sailing a fast boat more than I enjoy the sensation of being handed a trophy." ... or words something close to that.
What dinghy sailboat should I buy?
- Thread starter Fsh
- Start date
Dillon Waltner
Member
I'm not interested in yucking someone's yum, as the kids say. I spent many years racing 470s and Rebels and I made some great friends, enjoyed myself, and it made me a better sailor. But I eventually found that the only time I was really having fun was on the transits to and from the start line, and I got to an age where that was a big problem for me, because fun was what got me into a sailboat as a child and kept me going back. If handicap racing were a thing in the US, I'd still go racing from time to time because it's good to challenge yourself. But I'm not going to go out and buy a boat just so I can race it and fall down the rabbit hole of staying ashore because no one else is out racing.
WCB
Super Anarchist
There are definitely some regrettable things being said here. I started the Park City Sailing Assoc. based upon racing Lasers/ILCAs, and I like to race, but I'm fully aware that racing isn't for everyone and I don't push racing on everybody.
On Friday I met a guy from the Midwest, who said he has a few friends also from the Midwest that know about our program. I recommended that they sign up to use a J22 to sail as friends. To me, that's the best way to get them involved, socialize with friends and determine if they'd like to race later.
I also offer the same advice to all racers and I try to follow this advice too. Go sailing on non-race days. You get to know your boat even better and I've always been faster after spending hours just cruising with family and friends because you spend even more time getting to know your boat.
Bill5
Right now
BoksNoRox
Member
Why state it as Lasers/ILCAs? isn't this the same boat? And isn't the Fulcrum Rocket just a sunfish on steroids? 1950s sail technology. How about a super sunfish style rig on an I suppose lighter FR hull?
Bill5
Right now
Some still call them Lasers, some call them ILCAs.
eyeshotpar
Member
Perhaps a Capri 14.2 has the freeboard to keep dry.
Fulcrum do make an option of a more modern rig .
But most people seem to have the Sunfish type rig probably because of its simplicity or maybe because that’s what their used to with that type of boat.
Ps if you really want to know why a lot of us put ‘ Laser/ILCA’ there at least a couple of threads containing 1000s of posts explaining how we got to this point.
If you have a couple of days free , go knock yourself out . 😂😂😀😀
Dillon Waltner
Member
Well, no - a Rocket is technically a Howmar Phantom on steroids. You've just described almost everything Fulcrum has done in bringing the Rocket to the market. The hull bottom is based on the Phantom molds from the 70s. The topside mold is redesigned to provide a bigger cockpit. The whole hull is 40 lbs lighter than the originals (Sunfish and it's clones like the Phantom); it's also stronger and has no internal foam to soak up water and add even more weight. The super sunfish rig you are referring to is also available and much improved with the Interceptor package, which also includes a t-foil rudder for control over boat trim and a mid boom traveler bar. The traditional lateen rig is still the choice for most owners because of its simplicity and familiarity. And it's been around since at least the 5th century AD when the Romans used it.
Dillon Waltner
Member
If you haven't ordered your Rocket yet you might want to pay attention to the Rocket thread. Dave posted this yesterday:
Fulcrum Speedworks Rocket
Fortunately, I don't care much about racing (but I do love showing the Sunfish guys how slow they are). Have you actually raced Rocket against Sunfish around a race course with time taken? I really want to see the data. Because in my fleet nobody races Sunfish and slowest boat is 420. 420...
forums.sailinganarchy.com
RobbieB
Super Anarchist
RobbieB
Super Anarchist
I love these things. They look super, super cool. However, the bilge pump handle is front and center between your legs, (just under the tiller handle). So, they get wet.
tillerman
Super Anarchist
No. the SOL and the Rocket are not the same boat. They are different designs from different builders.
The Q
Super Anarchist
There ain't no where else to put one, you can have ocean liner they still have bilge pumps, are they a wet ride?
Yes they can be wet, if you take them out in unsuitable conditions, but that applies to any sailing boat. With the cockpit sides being at neck height they are quite difficult to bail by hand..
So they have a bilge pump..
My home design equivalent of my listed boats.
RobbieB
Super Anarchist
Yep- SOL weighs 120lbs and is about $1k more in price. Looks identical though. LOVE the "Hot For Teacher" sound track on the vid.
WCB
Super Anarchist
The SOL is there to take over where the Sunfish left off since the Sunfish itself and most of its parts have been hard to source. The retailer, Sunfish Direct, created the SOL to keep the "class" alive potentially taking over the void.
The Rocket is made by Fulcrum Speedworks near Providence, RI and is a modern take on a board boat similar to a Sunfish and Sailfish but with a light hull approach using the same lateen rig. Steve Clark, father to Dave Clark, knows all about the pros and cons of the Sunfish having been an owner of Vanguard for many years and the Rocket is aimed at a similar customer with some good improvements. The weight savings alone is enough to gain my attention.
tillerman
Super Anarchist
WCB
Super Anarchist
I didn't mean same as in exact same, I meant same as in both lateen style. Sorry for the confusion. I believe the Dave has outlined some differences in the make up the aluminum in the spars as well but I could remember that incorrectly.
