Hello Friends, Solo 1416 just come into my family. She has been well looked after, and we're working on tidying her up for the summer. At present she has a homemade tiller, straight, functional, but lacking the graceful, curved lines of some that I have seen. I'm wondering if you are able to point me in the direction of plans for something beautiful?
Thanks!
Hi All
Can anyone provide me with an updated definition of a vintage Solo for the 2026 season please.
Also do any clubs operate a ''vintage PY'' for mixed fleet racing.
Cheers Phil
Hi Phil,
Whilst the NoR has not as yet been published (to my knowledge), this is the wording that I'm expecting:
NSCA Vintage Championships Boat Qualification for 2026
The Championship is open to boats that are over 20 years old at 01-Jan-2026 with a registered hull number below 4660 as per the listing on the Dutch database. Additionally, boats with sail number above 4000 must have wooden hull construction.
Here at Leigh-on-Sea, we don't operate a 'Vintage PY'. This is generally not a problem as we operate a 'Sub 4000' vintage fleet with separate start for club racing. This topic has been much debated over the years within our club, but conclusion is to stick with the single Solo PY for handicap racing.
Cheers. Russell S3886
Hello all,
I bought a Severn Solo (no. 4038) last year and spent the summer sailing it at sea and I really enjoyed it.
I’ve seen quite a few questions about older Solos struggling to achieve the recommended mast rake. From what I understand, some sailors have made a small cut-out at the back of the mast to allow for more rake.
It would be great if anyone who’s done this could share a quick “how-to”. I’m a bit worried about cutting the mast and potentially damaging it, so any advice or photos would be much appreciated.
Thanks in advance! Florian
Suggest you look at HD sail tuning guide.The real issue is how to control the top third of the leech in light and windy conditions by control I mean release. leave the mast alone. The mast slot has quite tight measurements so the HJD guide is a great starting point. Adjustment is in mm ie very small.
Rule of thumb--- sail up kicker on elbow to extenede middle finger from the deck to the underside of the boom( should help with tacking etc, Remember most courses have more down wind +reaches than upwind. So what leg do you rig for? and how big are the waves.?
Racing a wooden Solo
I have sailed for over 50 years- learning in clinker Tideways sealed my future! A long spell in Fireballs including a Severn was followed by two Severn Solos and then a wooden Boon in the 90’s. I sailed at Blithfield with another Fireball sailor that had " lost" his crew. Away from my club, the Northern circuit (so many clubs with real character), sometimes in the prizes and with a few race wins- before getting into my beautiful wooden Osprey. You can see a trend here! I bought my wonderful Miles Solo 12 years ago and use it when my crew is off doing other things (like winning the Osprey Nationals).
I like wooden boats of all types and have the backup of a barn at home for the hard winter weather after Christmas. A car port would be almost as effective. " Woodies" are seen…
Well said Ian and thank you for taking the time to write all of this which is so relevant. The only thing I would slightly disagree on is the "upgrade to continuous lines is essential" Personally I prefer less string in the boat and just stick with the traditional dual control lines, I rarely find that I run out of control line to adjust on one side of the boat. Just my tuppence for what it's worth! Bet you're glad you don't have to pull up a clinker Tideway anymore.
I made a jig for laminating tillers and for making carbon hollow tillers. It's basically a bit of backing laminate (Formica) glueddown on some ply which was curved to a suitable shape. My preference is for wishbone tillers but nothing stops a narrow style one being made with something like this. I made a replacement tiller overnight when I did Hayling in 2023 out of laminated ash and sailed next day.
Please see attached shot - bit hard to see but a carbon composite tiller in white is sitting on the jig, beyond the components for a composite light tiller and the wooden one behind.