When did Sigma yachts cease being built?

[flaming]

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[Most interesting thing about those numbers is the way the 109s stay quite similar where the S38 and 40.7 vary wildly. I suspect this is due to the S38 and 40.7 being popular charter boats, so big fleets for popular events, wheras 109s are currently in the "owner raced" phase of their development so come out for more races. Especially interesting that Sigmas and 40.7s can get fleets of 25 and 42 for RTI, but only 10 and 14 for nationals.

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The J109 is a much more expensive boat than the other two ever were and also needs a smaller crew. I would be surprised if J composites build quality would withstand the bashing that the charter Sigmas and Bennys get. Both the latter give huge bang for the buck.

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No srguments there! J's are very expensive for what you get, and it is in my view the added value that the broker backed class association gives that makes them so popular. They've got the recipie for great events pretty much spot on.

I think second hand versions will be very popular in a few years for charter work, mainly because there will be so many of them, so when the next big thing comes along the price may fall, and also because the A sail setup is so well suited for charter.

 

[Cerddinen]

Two minor points. James stated 36/360. It was in fact 362. Final build dates are always hard to determine since one-offs can always be added. What I can say is that my previous boat was a 33 built in 1990 and that there were only 3 later sail numbers. So effectively production of the 33 ceased in 1990.

 

[colingr]

The Sigma 36 was the first boat I sailed on out of Haslar. Can't remember the name of it. Started the bug.

 

[Resolution]

Comes down to class rules or association rules. The J109 association was drawn up and led by two previous leading Sigma 33 stalwarts, Ben Richards and Mike Ewart-Smith. They specifically wanted tight one design racing. Most other classes (X-99s, 40.7s for example) allow minor variations hence different ratings.

Regarding numbers, one has fond memories of 75 odd Sigma 33s on the start line at Cork Week. (Or rather 25 on the line, 25 already over the line, and 25 stuck in their dirty air.....)

 

[Kylora]

There is a 6 page article in this month's PBO (April 2009 No 508) by Peter Poland titled 'The Sigma Story'

Ash

 

[Seven Spades]

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Especially interesting that Sigmas and 40.7s can get fleets of 25 and 42 for RTI, but only 10 and 14 for nationals.

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I don't think so. I think a lot of Sigmas are owned and used for cruising and so a day round the island is a bit of fun once a year. Whereas I suspect that not to many 109 owners use them for cruising. That's a provocative statement, but it is just a guess really.