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Thoughts on competitive helm weight?

Afternoon all,

I’ve just come back to the class after last sailing a solo 14 years ago. I’ve picked up an old wooden boat (3626, m7 mast with old edge Dacron/laminate mixed sail and 3050 max mast position against bulkhead) as a way of seeing if it’s still for me before committing to a decent frp boat.

post covid I’m heavier than I’d like- coming down rapidly from 15 stone and hoping to settle around 90kg of useful mass!

I see the top helms range from circa 12-13 stone but regularly race on big ponds/sea

My perhaps tricky question is; what’s a competitive weight within the class to aim for?

I’ll be the only solo racing at my club- York SC on the river Ouse so it’ll be more training and handicapping than proper competition - I’d like to get back up to speed and come and play at the opens in a better boat . Just very aware that if the competitive weight across the spread of venues is less than I’m likely able to get down to then I may be better placed looking at other classes like a Finn?

Thanks,

John.

3 comments

Comments (3)

John Hartshorn

May 26, 2022

Thanks Ian,

Thats reassuring to hear!

I’m not sure what weight I’ll ’settle’ at but circa 90kg would be nice! good to hear that larger chaps with a decent physical ability have been able to get on with the solo.

I must get round to trying a finn at some point but it’s good to know there’s likely a future for me in the solo at the upper ends of the 14 st range and shedding the lbs as fast as possible.

what’s the real world prospect for a single floor wooden boat these days against the modern wonder machines? I’m not expecting anything special but would be nice to get some opens in before winter to actually sail with other solos. Just keen to not be left for dead on the start line if there’s a massive performance gulf in the kit these days !

Thanks,

John

Ian McDonald

May 26, 2022

Replying to

@John Hartshorn the difference in the double floor wooden boat is significant . For sure on flat water and sub planing conditions I can " stumble" my Miles up to the front of my club fleet. And the lack of belief by most of the rest means prices are crazily low ( if you have a mid winter home for her)

Ian McDonald

May 26, 2022

When I joined the fleet John Greenwood at Finn weight was doing very well in Solos. Jim Hunt at his Finn campaign weight was also winning in the Solo. With Finns very physical pumping ( rowing?) I would suggest that a Solo with a stiff mast and Chris Brown style deeper sail,will do you very well.

And flying upwind in stronger breeze will be very satisfying!

Don't write off a later double floor wooden boat- sensible price and its even more fun beating plastic boats

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