17121948
New Member
Can anyone advise me on how to get the best performance from this boat please - built 1985
Flying 15 built by Shepherds of Windermere -ADVICE PLEASE
- Thread starter 17121948
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Searush
Well-Known Member
Sail it as hard as you dare - and then a bit more I would guess! Isn't it an Uffa Fox design? I know they are as pretty as a picture & very close winded too.
EdEssery
Well-Known Member
I used to campaign a classic Flying Fifteen. I'm afraid to tell you that Shepherds were never the fastest of hulls. To give some more precise advice I'd need to know the sail number.
There are three "fleets" in the Flying Fifteen class - Classic, Silver and Gold. Classics are defined as all boats up to and including sail number 2700 except Windebank IV hulls. Hulls with sail numbers over 2700 which were built by Copland, Shepherd and Wyche & Coppock are eligible for classic status. FFI (Flying Fifteen International) has a list of boats it considers to be classics.
Boats with sail numbers between 2701 and 3200 (unless they qualify as Classics as described above) are Silver fleet. BIFFA (British Isles Flying Fifteen Assoc.) are currently experimenting with a revised upper limit of 3400 for the Silver fleet.
All other boats are the Gold fleet.
Most clubs either operate separate starts/fleets for the different fleets or assign different handicaps. You need to makes sure you have the correct handicap - Classics cannot compete against Silver/Gold boats.
There are some general tuning tips here here
Depending where you are I might be able to point you to somebody to give you advice in person and to look at your boat. The fleet are very welcoming and are particularly keen to get the older boats out racing.
The class register is here - you may be able to find your boat and see if it has been well placed in any major regattas.
Hope this helps,
Regards,
Ed
ex ffrohlich - 2700 - a Windebank & Edwards Mk III composite
There are three "fleets" in the Flying Fifteen class - Classic, Silver and Gold. Classics are defined as all boats up to and including sail number 2700 except Windebank IV hulls. Hulls with sail numbers over 2700 which were built by Copland, Shepherd and Wyche & Coppock are eligible for classic status. FFI (Flying Fifteen International) has a list of boats it considers to be classics.
Boats with sail numbers between 2701 and 3200 (unless they qualify as Classics as described above) are Silver fleet. BIFFA (British Isles Flying Fifteen Assoc.) are currently experimenting with a revised upper limit of 3400 for the Silver fleet.
All other boats are the Gold fleet.
Most clubs either operate separate starts/fleets for the different fleets or assign different handicaps. You need to makes sure you have the correct handicap - Classics cannot compete against Silver/Gold boats.
There are some general tuning tips here here
Depending where you are I might be able to point you to somebody to give you advice in person and to look at your boat. The fleet are very welcoming and are particularly keen to get the older boats out racing.
The class register is here - you may be able to find your boat and see if it has been well placed in any major regattas.
Hope this helps,
Regards,
Ed
ex ffrohlich - 2700 - a Windebank & Edwards Mk III composite
William_H
Well-Known Member
They are a very popular class here in West Austrralia. In fact a few years ago The national championships were held in Esperance. (That is about 800 miles SE of Perth. Many boats were towed thousands of miles for the competition.
Here at Royal Perth and Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Clubs they are raced seriously. In every case they are craned into and out of the water for each race and kept on jinkers in the club grounds.
They are however not so popular as a cruising boat. Mainly I think because they are not suitable to be kept on a mooring. Due to non self draining cockpit and venturi drains which let water in when stationary.
Some years back an acquaintance wanted to give me a FF for the scouts. But he wanted to keep the trailer. Even at that price it was not considered a good deal. But superb for fun racing. olewill
Here at Royal Perth and Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Clubs they are raced seriously. In every case they are craned into and out of the water for each race and kept on jinkers in the club grounds.
They are however not so popular as a cruising boat. Mainly I think because they are not suitable to be kept on a mooring. Due to non self draining cockpit and venturi drains which let water in when stationary.
Some years back an acquaintance wanted to give me a FF for the scouts. But he wanted to keep the trailer. Even at that price it was not considered a good deal. But superb for fun racing. olewill
Lakesailor
Well-Known Member
You don't say where you are but in Bowness Steve Goacher is the man.
In fact, in the world he is the man as he is a Sailmaker and 3 times World Champion in Flying Fifteens.
He's very approachable, and if you're buying a sail, even more so.
You'll notice the tuning tips on EdEssery's link are by Steve.
In fact, in the world he is the man as he is a Sailmaker and 3 times World Champion in Flying Fifteens.
He's very approachable, and if you're buying a sail, even more so.
You'll notice the tuning tips on EdEssery's link are by Steve.
