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Class Racing at Weir Wood
(an article published in our club magazine discussing the classes sailed at Weir Wood)
Most racers enjoy class racing, where fleets of the same design of dinghy compete against each other. Compared to handicap racing, results are more dependent on the skills of the helm, rather than how well the characteristics of the boat suit the conditions.
Would you prefer more class racing? How can we make progress towards class racing?
The Sailing Committee has debated this several times, and believes class racing could lead to more boats out on the water, and improved membership. However, there are potential drawbacks also. One of the attractions of dinghy sailing is the choice and variety of classes, and we could turn potential members away by restricting classes. Also, looking just at Sunday morning racing, multiple starts of small fleets could be much harder to manage for the Race Officer.
The results of our annual Open Handicap, the ‘Winter Draws On’ show the high number of classes currently racing at Weir Wood. This year there were 22 classes racing, but only 3 had more than 2 boats! Possibly revealing increasing fragmentation, last year there were 23 classes racing, with 5 having more than 2 boats.
The aim would be to consolidate the number of classes racing on Sunday mornings and, subject to suggestion and encouragement from you, the members, the Sailing Committee has developed a list of recommended classes. These are boats that in our opinion perform well at Weir Wood, fit with the overall aims of the club, and already have a reasonable number out sailing. New and existing members would then have an unambiguous framework to fit into for truly competitive racing.
We hope members will support this policy, and endorse and actively ‘sell’ the list of potential classes.
‘New’ vs ‘Old’
One consideration in drawing up the list has been the balance of ‘new’ classes vs ‘old’ ones. New classes offer many advantages – they are generally lighter, the spinnakers and sail controls are easier to manage and they self drain after a capsize.
On the other hand older classes can offer ‘classic’ appeal and looks plus fantastic value for money. The Flying Fifteen, for example is widely accepted as a beautiful classic craft, and an all wooden Solo or Enterprise, if properly maintained, can look stunning.
The list
So, now for the controversial bit – here comes the list! We have included a few personal observations from our experiences of sailing each.
Please do also share your views with your fellow members and the Sailing Committee. At least the debate could live up the ‘apres sail’ conversation, and increase bar sales.
RS 400
The RS 400’s large sail area, narrow water line and ability to turn efficiently in response to shifts has made it a consistently successful performer in Weir Wood’s predominantly light and shifty winds. It is the fastest non trapeze boat at Weir Wood, and offers exciting and easily managed sailing. Also, a huge advantage compared to many new classes – it has seats.
The 400 does need some strength and weight to be competitive at Weir Wood – Mixed couples do manage, but a general level of fitness is required in the sharp end.
There was a fantastic turnout of 7 club boats at the Winter Draws on, and we see this as an encouraging trend and an opportunity for the future.
This modern classic offers fantastic sailing. It is surprisingly easy to sail, has no quirks or vices, remains powerful in light airs and goes like a train in a blow. The racing both at the club and on the circuit is busy, close and friendly.
RS 200 / Laser 2000
Maybe this is a bit of a compromise. However, stay with us. These classes sail similarly on the water, and yet have very different and complimentary characteristics.
If you are more focused on racing, have slightly more advanced sailing skills and are fairly light, then the 200 is probably more suitable. It is more sensitive and fun to sail than the 2000, and easier to manage once out of the water.
The 2000 is bigger on all key dimensions and consequently has more space, seating and carries more crew weight. It is much easier to sail and less ‘tippy’. The roller-reefing jib and reefing main make it more family friendly and suitable for cruising and holiday use. Importantly for the club, it is just within the sights of an ambitious beginner. Whilst it is slower and heavier to recover from a capsize than the 200, an adult and small child can recover the 2000 from inverted. The 2000 has been around for a few years only and, being the fastest growing 2 handed racer in the UK already offers good close racing and large fleets (50 boats at the Nationals and 22 at Weir Wood’s open meeting).
Both classes are really exciting to sail in a strong wind.
We have good numbers of each at the club – approximately 5 racing 200s, and 11 registered 2000s, 4 of which entered the annual Open.
Laser
Weir Wood has one of the strongest Laser fleets around. The Laser is great fun to sail at any location, and racing is invariably close. The new sail controls have increased its appeal because anyone (rather than gorillas only) can adjust the kicker, cunningham and outhaul to the best advantage in any conditions without falling out of the boat.
The Laser is great fun to sail and race. Being so low in the water, it feels splashy and fast, and really in tune with the wind and the waves. The fleet at Weir Wood is very friendly and caters for 4.7 and Radial rigs equally with the standard rig, using a common start with separate fleet results.
RS 600
The RS 600 is the alternative trapeze equipped singlehander, sitting well alongside the Laser. It is fast and exciting, and within the reach of most reasonably fit sailors. There is a small group of enthusiasts at Weir Wood who are keen to grow the fleet. Rather like the RS 400, experience has proven its suitability for Weir Wood.
Rather than being a threat to the fleet, the latest development on the 600, the RS 700, is probably having a beneficial effect. It is less suitable to our relatively confined water, and the second hand market for 600s has probably improved since the launch of the 700.
Enterprise
The classic doublehanded Enterprise has a very broad appeal given its sheer simplicity of rigging (it has no spinnaker, which some people see as a great advantage) and sailing. There are over 23,000 Ents in existence, of which there are about 60 (yes, sixty!) at Weir Wood, and so there is an excellent market in good quality boats. You can pay as little as £500 and be sailing.
They also have the advantage of being one design and hence a 10 year old boat, if properly cared for, can compete successfully with a new one. In that sense the ‘Ent.’ is the equivalent of the Laser in offering very close racing where it is the skill of the crew not the boat that wins races.
The Ent. is well suited to the fickle airs of Weir Wood and it is no coincidence that there is a keen group of racers here, two or three of whom also compete in a number of events in the South East and nationally. Anyone joining the Ent. class can be assured of a warm welcome and practical assistance if requested. There are occasional training sessions.
The Enterprise it is an ideal class in which newcomers to the sport can experience racing for the first time by crewing for more experienced owners. In the case of Weirwood, there are several regular racers on the look out for crews.
Fireball
With a strong tradition at Weir Wood, offering fun and exciting sailing in all conditions and large competitive fleets on the Open circuit, the Fireball remains a fantastic purchase. Second hand boats offer great value for money, and the new glass designs are much improved.
It is deliberately the only trapeze boats on the list. There will be members who want more powerful trapeze designs, but on balance we can’t see any of them being more suitable for racing at Weir Wood.
Fireballs, are fast and great fun, and relatively easy to sail for a trapeze boat.
Youth sailing
Weir Wood has a strong, growing and well managed Oppy fleet. The kids have great fun both racing and playing games out on the water.
The Oppy is a surprisingly good youth boat. On first acquaintance it can seem ‘tub’ like and fiddly to rig but rigging is easy once mastered. The open circuit is very well supported, and fleet numbers are the highest of all classes in the UK. It goes well in all conditions, and especially in strong winds when kids have great fun flying around in the sort of winds when most of us have retired to the bar. Another less obvious advantage is small children, once taught, can rig unassisted and recover and sail away from a capsize.
The approximate age range of Oppy sailors is 8 to 14 years but confident children can sail it earlier, and it can be raced, officially, until the child is 15, although weight and size can become prohibitive.
For older youths the Laser 4.7 is an ideal progression, as all it is a Laser with a different sail and bottom mast. As they grow, they can keep the hull and move up through the Radial and eventually into the main Laser fleet. The new sail controls have made the various versions of the Laser more controllable and hence more accessible and fun for youths.
For two handed boats for older youths there is a huge range of options, depending on ability and budget. We have a few Laser 3000s sailing at Weir Wood. The 3000 is great fun to sail, easily handled, and second hand prices are falling. Therefore this is the recommended class for these youths. However, if budget is your main consideration then have a look at boats like Graduates, Mirrors and Cadets – Mirrors can be picked up in A1 condition for £250.
Conclusion
That’s the list of recommended classes. If you want to race a Moth, Hornet or whatever then great! However, in the interests of the club, when you are considering purchasing a new dinghy we would encourage you to consider the benefits of the recommended classes, and of class racing generally. If you speak to a new members thinking about buying a boat, then this is also an opportunity to mention these classes.
Comments please, to the authors:
Geoff Bush, Kevin Francis, Chris Fyans, David Giles, Tim Hulley
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