| Author |
Topic: Boss - how easy to sail |
 |
findlay |
Posted: 28-Jan-07 00:07 |
|
|
|
Hello All
I am going to buy a dinghy!!
It's got to be a skiff (had enough of leaning out/hiking).
It's got to be fast and v. fun.
I have been recently inspired by the excellent Dinghy Sailing Magazine review (jan 2007) - there is a comparison of the Boss & L5000.
MY main problem is I have no regular crew, and some of the crew I do have are not particularly experienced. How manageable are Boss' ?
I have a lot of dinghy experience, and of dealing with inexperienced crew in a variety of boats (particularly RS200 and RS400). My main aim is to sail for fun - blast around and have some serious /exhilarating fun. There are no skiffs where I sail, but it is open water. (Dublin/Irish Sea), so serious racing isn't really on the cards (general handicap...).
Or would I be better with an ISO ?
(I really fancy being on the wire myself hence the BOSS attraction, but I would prefer a BOSS if is manageable and not a 'beast' .
Any comments/thoughts appreciated
Cheers
Findlay MacDonald |
| |
|
cvloenen |
Posted: 28-Jan-07 09:52 |
|
|
|
Hello Findlay, the BOSS is often quoted as the easier to sail of the twin wire skiffs. I hav'nt tried the 5000. But the RS800 is no harder to sail. Inexperienced crew will always disadvantage you, especially when racing! The BOSS is relatively easy to sail and twin wire, but to race it seriously requires alot of skill and agility, especially in strong wind with the kite up. Beating and reaching is not too hard even in strong wind. I have often taken inexperienced crew aboard and manage to some extent. Sailing with inexperienced crew will place greater presure on the helm, you will end up working harder than need be. With any boat, the helm will have more work to do if sailing with inexperienced crew. I would not call the BOSS a beast, but it can feel difficult if you let it get out of control in strong winds. In these conditions you have to stay in command, keep control and be positive.
The ISO is easier to sail but does not offer such high excitment as the BOSS. If you like a challenge and think you have the ability too helm on the wire then have a go.
Regards Ian |
| |
|
findlay |
Posted: 29-Jan-07 09:50 |
|
|
|
Morning Ian
thanks for the mail- it is interesting to read of your own experiences. Racing isn't so much of an issue at the moment. Am primarily looking for thrills/fun. If I happen upon a good crew, well then may taking racing a little more seriously!
I have sailed a lot with inexperienced crews, so am already used to thinking about all the jobs, and doing a good few of them.. (will email you directly regards to details about your boat... still interested). Still keen on the idea of a Boss.
Rgds
findlay. |
| |
|
Pork_pie_eater |
Posted: 29-Jan-07 12:24 |
|
|
|
as one of the guilty parties sailing in the DSM review, I can confirm that the Boss is relatively easy to sail, but sailing any twin-wire boat should be regarded as fairly advanced. When I started sailing the Boss (probably about 10 years ago now), I was surprised at how stable it is, and that was with the old rig (which for someone who is not going to race seriously is just fine). It's also a comfortable boat to sail - I made some comments about that in comparison to the 5000, and also the 800, which I find excrutiatingly uncomfortable, but that's probably down to personal preference.
The review in DSM was necessarily a bit too balanced but to be honest, the Boss is much easier to handle in and out of the water than a 5000. Combine that with the current market prices and you get a lot of fun for the money.
And they're tough - you won't spend much time screwing fitting back on either. And the 'old' Carbospar mast is really resilient, not like that skinny thing on the 800.
Hope that helps, and let us know if you decide to go ahead
Cheers
John |
| |
|
Pete Lindley |
Posted: 29-Jan-07 13:23 |
|
|
|
You also need to consider if you can trapeze with very little problems yourself. For you to take an experienced crew out whe you can't trapeze, let alone steer and trapeze, is a very daunting task!
If you can hold your own on the wire with no problems in most conditions, and you can steer without a wire (RS400), then it shouldn't be too much of a problem to provide a stable platform for your inexperienced crews to work on. |
| |
|
findlay |
Posted: 29-Jan-07 18:49 |
|
|
|
Hello PP-eater and Pete.
ta for comments, on the boat and the article.... have been eyeing up a L5000 (had fall in love with it when they came out and I was but a poor Student!). Still was trying to read between the lines... the BOSS did come across as more forgiving. L5K sounds good, but does sound as if it's a fairly weight to re-right, or lug up the beach...
Trapeezing - no probs... done plenty. I understand that it's the helm who hoists/drops the kite ?
Cheers
/f.
|
| |
|
Pete Lindley |
Posted: 29-Jan-07 19:15 |
|
|
|
On the Boss - the crew hoists & drops.
On the 5k - crew can either do pole up and kite up, or this can be split betweenhelm & crew. The drop is all crew.
Whatever twin asym boat, the helm really has to provide the stable platform for the crew to perform. |
| |
|
findlay |
Posted: 30-Jan-07 08:48 |
|
|
|
Hello Pete
okay - had misunderstood somewhere (makes sense what you write - thought as much).
Thanks
Findlay. |
| |
|
paolomoncia |
Posted: 30-Jan-07 09:46 |
|
|
|
Never tried a 5K or a Boss, but have been out with unexperienced crews in other dinghies ... and I assume that for an unexperienced crew dropping the kite in the BOSS chute is much easier than in the L5K bags, as applies for other boats! |
| |
|
findlay |
Posted: 30-Jan-07 12:00 |
|
|
|
anything to make it easier - bags just complicate things at the moment. Sshurp... into the chute... done! (hopefully). |
| |
