Spinnaker kit

Do you think we should organise a spinnaker series which could permit heavier crews to race , practise, with more fun ?

But mostly I think that we should regulate spinnakers as to avoid owners going off in all directions which will be difficult to reverse at a later time.

It has also been my experiece on the Hobie Dragoon that such small spinnakers are very easy to handle and don't require much hardware. For example a 7.0 sq. mtr spinnaker won't have to use ratchetblocks and can get by with really cheap simple blocks.

Wouter

I haven't voted here. My biggest concern with a kite is the added expense.

Rather than saying yes or no to a kite at this stage I'd like to see us develop a "rule" (area, pole length etc) so that if people do build one they are all the "same" and then wait and see if its adopted. I view the use of trapezes in a similar way. It wouldn't surprise me if we ended up with F12 and F12hp (with kite and trap) or something similar.

I know Gato has discussed a kite with his sail maker and I'd be keen to hear what area they are considering.

Hi All

I voted earlier this morning, but had to go and do other things.

I voted 'No'. Reason for - its very early days and I believe to early to be adding a spinnaker.

There needs to be I think 20+ boats on the water before we get into that side of things. I realise some will agree and some won't about that.

I also realise I'm one of those people that needs to pull his finger out and get his on the water. But, for the last year I have worked my butt off at work, and looks like it might have paid off <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />. More money to build boats, yay.

I've voted no because my understanding of this class is that it is primarily to be a catamaran learning platform for juniors in a similar vane to the optimist. Spinnakers just complicate the learning process, add expense and increase rigging time.

Well, I voted yes, but in the sense that I will maybe try on. still after the last weekends sailing I am not at all convinced that it's needed. It will make the boat quite more expensive and when the wind starts to blow a little bit the boat give good sensations and good speed.

I dont feel like I have much to say here, not having built a boat and not planning to do so in at least three or four years. But I would agree with ncik and gato. Keep it simple and add the spi as an option if the kids really want it later on.

That my point exactly, but if people are going to "experiment" should we be creating a frame work so they can work towards a similar goal rather then at extremes.

Gato, sounds like the boat has been out in some breeze. Any new photos?

The only risk I can see by defining an optional "spi" envelope is that the class can be segregated from the start or even have spis on all boats. If there is no room for a spi in the rules, it will be left to those who want to tinker and the class can decide later on when more boats are built. Then 'we' know what works and what is needed to thrill the young ones and keep them involved. Just my thoughts when I try to think strategically about the question.

I too feel the F12 as a racing class should be a mainsail only design. Reasons for are covered by others earlier. I would just like to see some F12 spi regulation to avoid a big mess when a need to include a spi is discovered later. However I can also see Rolfs point.

Wouter

Agreed