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Resolution

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The thread by roblpm about a racing forum stirred up my ancient grey matter and memories of how much excitement racing can provide. Trouble is, like many on these forums (sic) I reached an age when foredeck acrobatics are no longer wise or even possible. So this led me to wonder what would be the ideal yacht for racing by sixty and seventy year olds? My list of design features runs something like:

- fractional rig with small furling genoa
- keel boat with big ballast ratio to provide enough stability for aged reflexes
- smallish furling asymmetric on extendable bow prodder
- modern lines hull, lightweight and fairly fast but not overpoweringly scary!
- tiller steering
- enough cabin to include plumbed in loo (you can guess why) and enough bunk space for the crew to doss down
- probably 3 person crew, maybe 4
- inboard diesel engine as we are too old to be manhandling outboards
- decent electronics and instruments package
- firm one-design rules.

I guess I am looking at something in the 25 to 30 foot range, a modern folk boat?

Are there any contenders out there already in production? What other features would be good?
Peter
 
Other than the OD rules you've basically described a J100.

In the Solent the wrinkly sailors tend to be in the day boats though. XOD etc.
 
lpdsn said:
That's the problem with old racers, they have these immense gennies.

You are allowed crew though and they can be younger and fitter.
Click to expand...

But if you accept that and a few of your other more modern aspirations, the Shipman 28 is a good contender. OD fleet in Dublin Bay, but I don't know of any others. Handled quite kindly by IRC.
 
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flaming said:
Other than the OD rules you've basically described a J100.

In the Solent the wrinkly sailors tend to be in the day boats though. XOD etc.
Click to expand...

Certainly the Js are in the ballpark.
And I have lots of wrinkly friends who race in XODs, Darings, Sunbeams etc. These are jolly good competitive one design fleets which obviously kep many wrinkles afloat. But I wanted to find a better, modern development of this type.
Peter
 
awol said:
How about a Snottie - fails on the inboard donk and squint shute but have light loads and are fun.
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Excuse my ignorance, but what is a Snottie?
(The urban dictionary defines a snottie as someone driving under the influence of marijuana. Is there some connection???)
 
doug748 said:
Forget your modern lines, which your old codger crew will not thank you for. Check this out:


http://www.stmawessailing.co.uk/sailing/fleets/marieholms.php

Fractional rig, tacks like a dinghy, sail it to America if you like and the ultimate in cool, stylish looks.

Plus you will enjoy it, like a Folkboat.

View attachment 49252

IF boat. With three old gents in possession.
Click to expand...
Doug
The first yacht I ever owned was a f/g Folkboat, lovely lines , very seaworthy, but very slow.
Having said which, I have seen the fun had by the elderly gents in the F/B fleet in Lymington.
 
Resolution said:
Certainly the Js are in the ballpark.
And I have lots of wrinkly friends who race in XODs, Darings, Sunbeams etc. These are jolly good competitive one design fleets which obviously kep many wrinkles afloat. But I wanted to find a better, modern development of this type.
Peter
Click to expand...

If a day boat is suitable have you looked at the Hawk 20? They do both a day boat and a cabin version. Stable, reasonably quick and light loads. The cabin version has room for a chemical loo I believe.
 
XOD. Not a modern design, but small jib and spinnaker mean low sheet loads. Lots of very competitive OD racing in the places where there are fleets. Smaller and lots cheaper than a competitive Dragon.
 
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