Hi Slieve,

I used to build model aeroplanes, line controlled or free flying, before I got my first motorcycle. I stood on the ground wishing I could be in them. I promised myself I should have a pilot licence, but I never got around to it. I guess modelboating is in the same line, but having Poppy afloat, you can go out for a sail for real. On the other hand, it must be great fun experimenting with model boats and competing. Great fun for little money, or... My experience with a hobby is that it takes what you can give it. If it is "unexpensive" you only do more of it....

Have fun

Ketil 

That would have been too obvious David.

Frank won his club's summer series last year so they chopped 5% off his handicap. I've just received an e-mail to say that he completed the final race today in the winter series, with the peak temperature of +1 deg, and a 5 deg chill factor. His result for the winter series was 4 wins and his discard was a 2nd place, so he's won another series.

I wonder what they'll do to his handicap this time. Maybe Ketil's right about racing.

Cheer, Slieve.

Hi Guys

I've just uploaded some photos of some boats similar to my new one onto my profile to give you an idea of the fun I have planned. Sorry David, but your guess at the designer was not quite right. You should have tried Roger Stollery, who has been a leading designer for many decades. On the Bottle Boat design he uses his Swing Rig, which was copied by Carbo Spars to make the Aero Rig, and tried to be too clever and go high tech (read - expensive) and block its expansion with patents of things that were open source (now expired). When fitted to the development class Benbridge Redwing it won or was second in every race entered, but was banned at the end of the season on some technicality which was irrelevant to its efficiency

Yes, the Americas Cup guys did consider the Swing Rig back in the 60's, and Roger did provide some hull and keel designs which they did not follow up, and unfortunately were beaten by boats that did use the key features that had been rejected. Such is life.

There is a lot of the Swing Rig in my Split Junk Rig, and there is a lot to learn from people like Roger. Although I came to the design from a different direction I have found a lot of common ground, but the SJ has the advantage of easy and safe reefing as well as possibly some drag advantages.

I'm sorry this isn't quite what you wnated, Ketil, it does give a lot of close racing and is a lot of FUN. Isn't that what it's all about?

Cheers, Slieve.