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Topic: Fixtures |
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John Shelton |
Posted: 09-Mar-04 20:41 |
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Just a reminder - take a look at the fixtures kindly arranged for us by the ISOs this year (Thanks Ian) and put at least some of them in your diary. It's not a long list, so it would be nice if some of those Bosses out there can come along. I was at Datchet on Sunday and i had a look around the dinghy park (and sin bin) and there are some good boats sitting there. Where are the drivers? Do you want to sell them, and let some others have a go? I'm not desperate yet, but looking round the show at Ally Pally, I have to say there was nothing else which attracted my interest - I like the Boss. But if no-one comes to play, it's a shame. For reference, here were my case notes;-
RS800 - seems a little underspecified - if I pull too hard, something will fall off. And anyway, I am too heavy
49er - don't have the bank balance to do it seriously. Anyway, i am an amateur
14 - arms race anyone? Needs another 2 foot on the waterline - oooh, that's a Boss
Enterprise - sorry, got carried away there
Thames A-Rater - now we're talking, masthead kite anyone? |
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Simon Peckham |
Posted: 14-Mar-04 10:34 |
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John,
I tend to share your views. I bought a Boss a couple of years ago and have been sailing it at my club in South Wales. Unfortunatley I am the only one there and it seems that to get other Bosses to race against, I have to travel quite some way. The nationals was my first circuit circuit event this year and was a little bit of a let down with only 1/2 dozen boats (inluding me!!).
Sailing it amongst a handicap fleet is a bit demoralising when all that blistering downwind performance is undone by such a lack of pointing..
I am moving to Bristol and thought that might spell the end of my troubles with lots more bosses around.. Seems not so - oh well at least I am closer to the national circuit now!
The Boss is a great boat and certainly performance per £ seems unrivalled. Just a shame is hasn't caught on more..
RS800 seems the only realistic contender but I agree is pretty lightweight, which is a shame as with a 25 stone combined weight I am not.... |
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stuart |
Posted: 18-Mar-04 12:06 |
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John,
I think you are being a little hard on the 800 there, its a very very well thought out boat, and I have only ever seen one gear failure on one, and that was a snapped tiller. They are designed more for the lighter crew weight, but that doesn't mean its put together like a mirror. That said, they are dull as dishwater to sail until the breeze breaks the 20kt barrier, and even then its a bit like having four wheel drive when its snowing - too much control to feel like your going fast on the edge and having fun! When you can get a gybe wrong in a F6 and still come out of it fine, while that is a credit to the design, its not much fun.
49ers don't cost what they used to either and you can maintain one for a reasonable cost these days as long as you pick up a stiff well equiped boat which you can do from £3750 these days. (i have two for sale in case anyone fancies it - old but very light and stiff with all equipment and loads of spares - packages from £3500 - £4500)
I really enjoyed the few weekends I spent crewing for Simon last spring, and enjoyed the nationals despite our not so great boat speed, but can imagine that after a few trips to opens with poor turnouts, all enthusiasm would be lost. I think it is a great shame, becuase while the boat is not without its faults, it is a good quick fun boat which can offer superb value for money as a speed machine, but its just not got it as a racing pedigree.
Lastly there is a boss on Datchets auction list - does anyone know whos it is - no 733 - could either be someones great loss, or someone elses bargain.... |
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John Shelton |
Posted: 18-Mar-04 19:47 |
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well, to be fair, I haven't sailed an 800 yet - everytime I contact RS, they offer me a sail for anything up to 100 squid. If there's anyone out there willing to give us a go, then I'm game. I'm sure it's a well sorted boat, I'm just trying to find a reason not to buy one 
I looked at that Boss 733 the other day - I guess if anyone knew who owned it, the Datchet heavies would send the boys round for the park fees. The reserve is £1k which is still probably a bargain, but only to someone who doesn't already have a Boss. I'd buy it for the mast, if someone wants the road trailer......
Surely there must be someone out there who wants a great boat for little cash....... |
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Nick M |
Posted: 19-Mar-04 11:31 |
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The 800 is a boat for fairies!
The ergonomics of the boat are a nightmare. Crossing from one side of the boat to the other is like dodging craters in Beirut! Off the rack, on to the gunnel, over a sticky out thingy (designed to trip u up i think), then u have to traverse over countless control lines ****tered randomly!
At least the 49er and BOSS plans are open and seem very natural to crew!!
Crewed one in a force 7 and still gybed it!!
I may be a bit biased coz one put a hole in the side of my BOSS the other day! |
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Nick M |
Posted: 19-Mar-04 11:36 |
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By the way John, do u want to crew for the old man on Sunday in RED OKTOBER, im sailing in the 505 inlands so wont be able to!! |
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stuart |
Posted: 19-Mar-04 12:28 |
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I think you are being a bit biased there Nick. I don't know anyone who has sailed the 800 and thinks that it is a badly laid out design. Everything falls easily to hand, and the reason that you probably found it clumsy walking across was having to step up onto the side. If you take one step in and back behind the sail controls, and then one up onto the wing hooking on as you go out, you will probably find it very easy. The first time I sailed one, I was shocked at just how simple it was to take one step across and be out on the wire on the next one! The only thing I found was that by stepping back its very easy to get the tiller caught under the wing, but a tight bit of shocky soon sorted that and we were off! I still think they are boring though...
Regards having a go in one, a lot of the LDC boys have their own 800s, so just ask them if they'll take you out after racing at the nearest open to you. Alternatively, just head to one of the more experienced 800 sailors at your club and just ask them - the worst they will do is say no, and if they all say that, then who wants to sail with them anyway!
Lastly, I heard rumours through a grape vine about an RS900 - I haven't heard anything from LDC on the matter, but have heard it from several different people. Apparently going to be a supercharged 800 to match 49er performance without having to be a semi professional sailor. Has anyone else heard anything about that or know whether the project is going ahead or under development? It could be what you're all dreaming about in the absence of a boss re-birth! |
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John Shelton |
Posted: 19-Mar-04 20:50 |
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yeah Nick - I'm on for Sunday - what time at Datchet?
PS : I'm used to crewing for old men......
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John Shelton |
Posted: 19-Mar-04 20:54 |
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Peter and I asked RS about a 900, half-joking, on the basis that it would make up for what's missing (for us) in the 800. They didn't deny it, but then on the other hand, they didn't confirm it. I'd prefer a Boss rebirth, because it's a well sorted boat, now we've got a sensible kite, but without a builder or someone marketing the boat, we are always going to be the poor relation to anything from the RS/Ovi/Devoti/Laser stable |
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