fireball dinghy

[tyce]

i have seen a fireball dinghy that i fancy buying to give me something to play with while my bigger boats resting its keels over winter.
just wondering if anyone has one or can give me any advice on buying one

 

[michael_w]

Here you go!

http://www.fireball-dinghy.org.uk/

Google and all will be received

 

[SilverBreeze]

Great boat, we have one, good fun, fast and challenging. May need a tall crew. Lots of class support as mentioned above.

 

[ex-Gladys]

Sailed one for years from age 14-18... graduated to 505... Both as crew. The 'ball can be a bit of a sod in a chop, but lots of fun. 505 is an immensely powerful boat that for a 6'4" 15st youth like me was even better...

 

[fireball]

Totally agree - Fireball dinghy is superb ....

 

[saltydave]

The most exillerating experience of my life was getting a fireball to plane with the crew out on the trapeze (better than sex and lasted longer) .... the spray was so strong it really hurt my face..... I loved the boat and sailed them often.. even competed in an international 24hour race.
As for advice.... they have a lot of sail area with a fairly round and unstable keel... So they go like stink if you can keep them upright...
But time passes on... I am older, the need for the thrill and the excitement of imminent capsize have passed. So, still my favourite boat for excitement, but you need to keep alert.

 

[kds]

You are absolutely right about the fun = But....

"fairly round and unstable keel... "

No - the flat bottom and lower chines makes them remarkably stable for so fast a boat. Very high fun/cost ratio. The fibreglass ones were a bit heavy.
Ken

 

[jim99]

Grew up sailing them and Lightnings on the Lake of the Woods in Canada. A wonderful sail and lots of fun.

 

[gandy]

I understand that the new epoxy Fireballs are the only ones competitive nowadays. So you ought to be able to pick up a good woodie at a relatively good price. The local keenies should provide a source of tuning info (Fireball guys always seem helpful) and a source of nearly new sails as well.

Tony S