David,
The thing to remember about pretty much any high performance boat is
that when it goes wrong, (which it invariably will to start with) pretty
much the worst thing that happens is that you get wet! Ok folk do drown
occasionally but the numbers are very low - chances are leaving your
house in the morning and crossing the street is statistically more
dangerous . So long as you are the tenacious kind that will just get the
boat up and try again and again then you will find the thrill and the
rapid improvement in your skill will keep you coming back for more. When
learning to helm the contender I initially aimed to not capsize more
than twice a leg (short legs mind you) during a race, then once a leg,
then twice a race etc etc. Each goal gives a great sense of achievement
even if you are last in the race! However when you do get the hang of
it, passing hiking boats at high speed whilst flat out on the wire is
great sport, especially if they are hiking hard with a pained expression
on their face!!!
Take a look at the mast head view 49er video on Bethwaite's home page -
As you know this boat is the inspiration for the Swift and this is more
the sort of speed and sailing we should be looking at than the
contender. OK so these two pitch pole (something Bram has tried to
design against as much as possible) and fall in but it's not so bad!
http://www.bethwaite.com/10552,02,2-0-riva-2004-49er-gp--video-footage.h
tml - video 2
Andy.
Loch Lomond SC
Scotland.
________________________________
From: Dave Lindsey [mailto:lindsey@xxxxxxxxxxx]
Sent: 07 November 2004 07:02
To: BDally6107@xxxxxxx; Andy Howlett
Cc: swiftsolo@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: Contender vs. Swift-Solo
On 11/2/04 10:01 AM, "BDally6107@xxxxxxx" <BDally6107@xxxxxxx> wrote:
Andy,
Thanks for doing such a good job with your answer.
One of the things that needs to be pointed out is that these
Contender guys are the pioneers of fast Single handed sailing. It was
they who showed the world how to do it and they deserve a whole lot of
respect.
Because a Swift has more power and more righting moment, a
Contender will not keep up with us (especially downwind). Do remember,
however, that it will take a couple of years before we'll optimize the
speed of a Swift to the degree that the top Contender sailors have
optimized their boats. I expect to see spectacular speed taking and
Jibeing from you guys as competition comes into play. Charlie McKee can
jibe a Swift with the kite up (wire to wire) so fast that it'll blow
your mind. I think we'll all be tacking wire to wire in about half the
time it takes on a 49er within a year of our first regatta. Remember,
this is a stand-up and run through skiff with nobody else to impede your
speed on the way to the other side. That makes it fast and easy.
Best regards,
Bram
Gentlemen
Thank you for your reply re: the Contender vs. the Swift-Solo.
The sub text to my question is; "what the hell have I got myself
into". For a low time sailor like myself the Contender video is a little
intimidating. Too think the Swift provides MORE performance is
overwhelming. Yet exciting.
I plan to wear a helmet.
David Lindsey
New Westminster, B.C.
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