Bit of Fireball action from the weekend...

[Iain C]

One for the fellow dinghyists on the forum!

I first started sailing Fireballs about 14 years ago and I've had quite a few over the years. However seduced by the power and speed of skiffs like the 18 and the 49er I sailed my last boat (a posh all epoxy Winder) less and less and eventually sold it a few years ago as it seemed daft having a chunk of cash tied up in a boat that only ever went out when it was honking.

However a slightly drunken ebay moment a month or so ago saw me end up with a total bargain of a composite Winder (Kevlar hull, wooden deck) for £350. Why can I never resist a cheapie/project/unloved old boat? A rummage through the shed, a load of new string, and some second hand sails got the boat race ready and she is now very much on the pace, with a bullet and a third last Sunday on only her third outing.

Anyway, a cameraman was on the rescue boat, and although he never got much footage of when it got really spicy, as the rescue boat was off rescuing, there's some good footage of the racing. I'm in GBR14110, purple kite, bright orange sail insignia.

Who needs cheque book sailing when you can have paypal sailing!

 

[Twister_Ken]

Wot? No video?

 

[trapezeartist]

Brings back some good memories. I sometimes wonder whether I could have more fun for a lot less money if I went back to Fireballing.

 

[Twister_Ken]

Got the vid now. Happy memories. I think my sail my sail number was K6160, so a few more have been built since then!

 

[davidej]

Good breeze but flat water - perfect

One of the advantages of sailing inland

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

Some of the best fun sailing I've ever had has been in a Fireball.... a hugely fun boat to sail!

I too got rather distracted by the fleshpots of the skiff world.... and ended up with an RS700, crewing on a 49'er and the odd day out on a 18' skiff.... but the Fireball was still just as much fun.

PS, being on the smaller side myself, I also had a moth for a while too.... but sadly well prior to foiling days... although i'd love to give one a go!

 

[johnalison]

Good film. I never sailed a Fireball, we used to sit inside our Fireflies, but have always admired them and the folks who sail them. My neighbour claims to have raced one when he was younger, which is odd since I have never seen him break four knots in anything.

 

[Sandgrounder]

Iain, Good film. I had a wooden fireball K11080 - lots of fun; first boat I sailed that would plane going up-wind.

 

[Wansworth]

I must be the only person to reef a Fireball .I was downwind and tide of Littlehampton and we couldn't hold it down as me brother refused to use the trapeze...... got a rocket from the class captain.Normally I sailed a heavy open boat.

 

[MissFitz]

So that's what a Fireball looks like! Looks great fun, thanks for sharing.

 

[Neil_Y]

Excellent bargain, having recently got a go pro I now have evidence of the 14 staying upright, a £1200 very fast little boat. That was with two sets of sails trailer and trolley.
(how do you imbed the video?)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d22K5qRfzs8

 

[Iain C]

A bit more here from New Year's Day...the video doesn't show how windy it really was, but there's some good footage of us haulin' ass at 6:20. We were the only Fireball to finish that day...

 

[flaming]

This forum need a like button! Awesome stuff.

 

[AndrewB]

This forum need a like button! Awesome stuff.

+1. Cross your fingers that Steppenwolf's legal eagles don't spot this though!

 

[Nudge]

Absolutely fantastic! Brings back lots of memories - weapon of choice in the mid 70s was the 505. Reason? The spinnaker on the 5-0 is 208sq ft versus the Fireballs 150sq ft. Fireball was always a dream to watch on the water. The club I sailed with had a Fireball called Thunderbolt and was K18! The owner, Stuart, sold her on and got a new one - Debs Delight. Wonder if they are still around!?

 

[Bobc]

Looks like a giggle. A few puffs with teeth on them though.

 

[rwoofer]

Can you post a link cause an ipad doesn't show the video. Thx

 

[skip50]

No problem on my iPad-just saying!

 

[dom]

A bit more here from New Year's Day...the video doesn't show how windy it really was, but there's some good footage of us haulin' ass at 6:20. We were the only Fireball to finish that day...

Good helming at 6:29 - fast and accurate reactions :encouragement:

 

[Iain C]

Good helming at 6:29 - fast and accurate reactions :encouragement:

Ooo, you're very kind. Thanks!